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Subaru Wagon — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Subaru Wagon model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
28
Years to Avoid
2003, 2002
Best Years
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978
2003Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls83 TSBs
2002Avoid
4 complaints0 recalls83 TSBs
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991
3 complaints0 recalls10 TSBs
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977
0 complaints1 recalls10 TSBs
1976
0 complaints1 recalls10 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Subaru Wagon Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2003, 2002 Subaru Wagon are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Subaru Wagon, consider the 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

28 model years analyzed