All New Subaru Maintenance Costs Are Going Up This Year Except One Model

How much does it cost to maintain a 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other new models? Since we last reported the Subaru model maintenance costs, they have gone up. The cost of parts has gone up considerably due to supply chain issues that are affecting all automakers. A new report from Automotive News and We Predict reveals how much costs have risen in 2022.

According to We Predict, each Subaru model's costs listed below covers service and warranty costs compiled from actual service records. The report measures money spent by owners for model years 2018-2021 after twelve months on the road. Included in the calculations are regular maintenance, unplanned repairs, service campaigns, diagnosis, software updates, and warranty and recall fixes.

photo credit: Adventure Subaru

The Detroit News (by subscription) says some auto parts have increased thirteen percent in the third quarter last year from 2019 levels. It includes everything from oil and air filters, brakes, and even windshield wipers.

The 2022 Subaru Forester had the lowest average 12-month repair costs in Subaru's all-wheel-drive lineup last year. The Crosstrek now has the brand's lowest overall repair costs. See where the new Subaru model year's average 12-month in-service U.S. repair costs per vehicle are compared with the November 2021 report.

photo credit: Patrick Subaru

2021 maintenance costs / 2022 maintenance costs

Subaru Forester $104 / $124
Subaru Impreza $108 / $126
Subaru Crosstrek $113 / $123
Subaru Legacy $117 / $163
Subaru Outback $123 / $216
Subaru BRZ $140 / not available
Subaru Ascent $179 / $178
Subaru WRX $197 / not available

The Subaru Outback midsize SUV average 12-month repair costs have gone up the most of any model. The 2022 Subaru Ascent is the only model in the lineup in which maintenance costs dropped.

Another tool for new car shoppers to use is Kelly Blue Book’s 5-year cost-to-own.

What is Subaru’s 5-year cost-to-own? The Subaru Forester has also been rated the lowest 5-year cost-to-own vehicle in the Compact SUV category by Kelly Blue Book and takes the title two years in a row. Autobytel also ranks the Subaru Impreza sedan and 5-Door compact as one of the top-10 lowest cost to own cars in the first three years of ownership.

Kelley Blue Book's 5-Year Cost to Own data for new cars is the initial five-year ownership period. In its research, Subaru vehicles incurred fewer costs than all mainstream automaker's lineups. Costs include fuel, maintenance, repairs, financing, insurance, and one of the most significant factors of all, depreciation. All are factored in a vehicle's total ownership costs.

5-and-10 year maintenance cost data from Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports (by subscription) looked at data from 27 car brands by asking car owners how much they paid out of pocket for total maintenance (oil changes, etc.) and repairs over the past 12 months. The average cost for a 5-year-old (2016 model) is $205, and for a 10-year-old (2011 model): $430.

Subaru's average 12-month cost for a five-year-old car is $290, and $480 per year for a ten-year-old vehicle. Consumer Reports says compared with other mainstream car brands, Subaru's average costs per year are less than Jeep, Volkswagen, and Dodge, but more than Mazda, Kia, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.

The Consumer Reports' data does not consider one of the most significant factors, depreciation costs when you buy a Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, or other new Subaru models. Subaru vehicles retain their value better than all other car brands.

Compared to 2020, maintenance costs are going up due to supply chain issues. Even with the increases, the 2022 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other new models are still affordable and remain one of the lowest car brands to maintain.

You Might Also Like: The 10 Worst Car Deals Now - New Subaru Crosstrek Makes CR's Updated List

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Subaru Report - We’ve got you covered! Check back tomorrow for more unique, informative SUBARU news, reviews, and previews you can trust.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Photo credit: main image Adventure Subaru