Subaru Scores Low In J.D. Power Dependability Again But Earns A New Model Award

Subaru scores poorly in the 2021 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study but does improve from last year. Subaru also picked up an individual award in the SUV segment. The Subaru Forester scores one of the top three models in dependability in the competitive Compact SUV segment along with the Buick Envision and Toyota RAV4.

The J.D. Power study measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of their three-year-old vehicles. Subaru moves up in ranking from last year when the Camden, N.J automaker was 10th from the bottom with a score of PP154.

This year, Subaru improves with a score of PP125 but still below the industry average of PP121. Lexus (PP81), Porsche (PP86), Kia (PP97), Toyota (PP98), and Buick (PP100) are the top five automakers in dependability, according to J.D. Power.

Subaru has not scored well the past five years, and this makes six years in-a-row they score below the industry average. In 2016, Subaru achieved a total VDS ranking of 166 (Problems per 100 Vehicles). In 2017, the Japanese automaker ranked 164 PP100, well below the industry average of 156. Subaru slipped into the bottom quarter of automakers in 2018 with a 167 PP100 while the overall industry average improved 9 percent to 142.

Subaru seems to be making steady improvement according to the 2021 rankings and scores four points below the industry average. And the automaker's number-one-selling nameplate, the Forester compact SUV, picks up an individual award. Subaru has not had any models score a mention in the past six years.

Why does Subaru always score well below the industry average in this study?

Keep in mind that the J.D. Power study's information was accurate with cars people bought new in 2018. During this time, Subaru of America experienced record growth and had difficulties manufacturing enough vehicles for its retailers in the U.S. Torque News reported on the Japanese automaker's numerous problems.

Since then, Subaru Corporation has made changes at its factories in Japan and its plant in Lafayette, Indiana, to improve quality. You can read our full report on Subaru quality here.

Watch our report on the benefits of keeping the old Subaru Outback vs the new model and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube Channel for daily automotive news.

Subaru scores low again in the 2021 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study but improves, and one model gets an individual award. The Subaru Forester compact SUV is now a top-three model in dependability. The 2021 Forester is the brand's top-selling model.

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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.

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