FaultScore

Subaru fuel system problems

Owners have filed 1,966 complaints with NHTSA about the fuel system on Subaru vehicles — 6% of everything reported about the brand, across 20 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Subaru Forester, worst in 2004.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

1,966

Complaints

6%

Share of all Subaru complaints

85

Crashes

49

Fires

Which Subaru models have the most fuel system problems

Forester 511 26.0%

Worst in 2004

WRX 407 20.7%

Worst in 2002

Outback 398 20.2%

Worst in 2018

Impreza 270 13.7%

Worst in 2002

Legacy 222 11.3%

Worst in 2005

Ascent 38 1.9%

Worst in 2019

Crosstrek 37 1.9%

Worst in 2019

Baja 29 1.5%

Worst in 2005

Worst Subaru model years for fuel system problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2002 Subaru WRX 308 67% 49,071 F
2004 Subaru Forester 125 46% 107,000 F
2002 Subaru Impreza 100 29% 60,000 D
2003 Subaru Forester 57 24% 102,000 C
2015 Subaru Forester 56 6% 51,900 B
2018 Subaru Outback 46 5% 5,585 B
2006 Subaru Outback 40 10% 105,933 A
2004 Subaru Impreza 37 33% 89,107 F
2004 Subaru WRX 35 76% 73,500 F
2002 Subaru Outback 33 19% 86,000 C
2001 Subaru Outback 32 15% 83,000 D
2019 Subaru Outback 32 2% 15,600 B
2005 Subaru Legacy 27 11% 81,500 C
2003 Subaru Impreza 26 41% 102,400 F
2016 Subaru Forester 24 4% 43,767 D
2005 Subaru Forester 23 22% 85,014 D
2019 Subaru Forester 22 2% 3,500 F
2001 Subaru Legacy 21 23% 51,000 C
2014 Subaru Forester 21 4% 12,800 F
2018 Subaru Forester 21 3% 14,500 C