Subaru Specialist Mechanics: The Costs of Maintaining a Subaru

So, you've either bought yourself a Subaru, or you're looking to purchase one. Either way, you couldn't go wrong. On top of the excellent gas mileage—no amount of which can be too high these days—you also get other perks such as a nice interior and all-wheel drive. (And with the winter months fast approaching, this last point should not be underappreciated).

Having said all that, it's essential to consider the costs of maintaining a Subaru. With higher-than-usual prices for just about everything these days, it's wise to look at the facts. And the truth is, Subarus do tend to cost more to maintain. They don't break down very often. But when they do, it's generally going to cost you more than a similar repair or replacement would for similar makes.

To give you an idea of how much you'd be paying, we decided to break down some of the most common maintenance repairs by how much you should generally expect to dish out.

Oil Change

To get an oil change on a Subaru, you'll be looking to spend roughly $40-120. Generally, it'll depend on what kind of oil your vehicle requires. For a vehicle using conventional oil, an oil change will typically run $40-60. For vehicles requiring fully synthetic oil, the cost will cost $60-120. By comparison to other makes, these costs turn out to be pretty average.

Brake Pads

Brake pad replacements for Subarus run $150-300 per axle. This is equal to the average price for this particular maintenance task, making Subarus pretty standard.

Filters

From time to time, your vehicle's fuel, cabin air, and air filters will need to be replaced. The fuel filter is the most expensive of these—and this goes for any make. A Subaru's fuel filter will cost $90-207. This is higher than the average service price, which generally costs $80-150. The silver lining here, though, is that Subaru's fuel filter usually lasts longer than those in other makes—generally to the 72-month or 72,000-mile mark!

As for the other two filters, the cabin air filter for a Subaru will cost $80-112, and a regular air filter can run $79-108. These are both higher than the costs associated with other makes, with cabin air filters generally costing $60-80 and air filters costing $50-70.

Battery

Replacing the battery on a Subaru will cost you $120-250, which is on par with the cost of other makes. The Outback in particular, stands out with its hefty price tag of $250, which includes parts and labor.

Timing Belt

The timing belt is a part that will need replacement around 100,000 miles. The average cost for this replacement is $500-1,000. For most Subarus, however, the price will be $571-725. This puts Subaru below the average.

Tire Replacement

When it comes to replacing a set of tires on a Subaru, you can expect to spend $120-400. This is about average when comparing tires for other makes. Case in point, a single tire for sedans and smaller cars can cost as low as $50. For SUVs and trucks that require premium tires, costs as high as $500 for a single tire are common.

Spark Plugs

For spark plug replacement, you can expect to pay $150-257 for a set on a Subaru. The average price for a replacement on other makes is $75-250, making Subarus just above average. Larger vehicles like the Outback are what drive the costs up.

Headlight Bulbs

The average price to replace a set of headlight bulbs on a Subaru is $97-150, which is on par with the average price of $100-150.

The Big Question: Why?

When comparing the maintenance costs of Subarus with other car makes, it's interesting to note that they are in the middle of the road. They generally don't cost as much as American-made vehicles, but they run higher price tags than other Asian-built vehicles. Naturally, the question to ask regarding this is: why?

There are two big reasons why Subarus don't cost as much as American-made vehicles in regard to maintenance. The first has to do with material labor and costs. They're simply cheaper where they are built, which is why they are more affordable for us as consumers. The second reason is that Subaru doesn't make any luxury vehicles. This ultimately eliminates the need for expensive equipment and materials.

Having said that, it's because Subaru builds bigger, more outdoor-focused SUVs and performance-focused sedans that primarily makes them more expensive than other Asian makes. Ultimately, these vehicles have more wear and tear over time, leading to more maintenance necessities.

And there you have it, folks. At Aposhian, we like to keep you informed on the different needs and costs associated with different makes and models. If you own a Subaru, are in need of service, and live in the Salt Lake area, give us a call. We're here for you.