Subaru factory warranty and towing information

Towing a trailer with your Subaru, or towing your Subaru behind a motorhome? Research Outback, Forester, Tribeca, Impreza, Legacy, Baja, WRX STi..
Maintain your Subaru. Treated right, it should last years....
(maintenance schedule page)
Factory Warranty  I  Towing a trailer with your Subaru  I Towing your Subaru behind a motorhome or tow truck
People have been getting letters trying to sell them a warranty because their warranty is about to expire. These do not come from Subaru. See examples click here.

This is an unofficial independent website and is not authorized, approved, or supported by Subaru or any dealer. Contact your local dealer and mechanic for any mechanical or technical questions.

all photos, text, formatting c. J. Spitz. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.  you are here http://www.cars101.com/subwarr.html   v 11.28.09


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Warranty information
all information subject to change, correction
see your local servicing dealer for full details and coverage on your specific car

Warranties are through Subaru of America or affiliated organizations and warranty work must be performed by an authorized dealer in the US

Subaru warranties stay with the car.
All warranties start with the date of first sale. A Subaru dealer can determine that date if you have the V.I.N.
When a Subaru is sold as a used car there is no warranty transfer charge but owners should contact 800-SUBARU3

For complete details always refer to your owners manual, local dealer service department or call 800 SUBARU3
 
1yr/12,000 miles 1yr/Unlimited miles 2yrs/24,000 miles 3yrs, see below for miles 5 yrs, see below for miles 7yrs/70,000 miles 8yrs/80,000 miles
New Car Adjustments and Wear items
Replacement parts and Accessories Limited warranty
Federal Specifaction Emissions Performance Warranty
New Car Limited Warranty 3 year/36,000 miles, 
includes limited wear warranty covering premature brake, clutch lining, wiper blade wear, remote batteries, headlight bulbs. See Note below.
Roadside Assistance - 36,000 miles (new for 2000)
Federal Specification Emissions defect warranty - 36,000 miles
California Specification EmissionsPerformance and defect warranty - 50,000 miles
Rust Perforation Limited warranty - Unlimited miles
Powertrain Limited Warranty - 60,000 miles 
California Specification Emissions Extended defect warranty
Federal Specification Emissions Performance and defect warranty - 50,000 miles
Certain Legacy and Outback 2.5L 4 cylinders sold and registered in CA, CT, NH, NY, MA, MS, RI, VT with California Specification PZEV Emissions Extended defect warranty: 15years/150000 miles
Summary:
Bumper-to-bumper: 3 year/36,000 miles. Includes Wear Item warranty covering pre-mature wear: brakes, clutch linings, remote batteries, wiper blades etc.
Roadside assistance 3yr/36000 miles by the Cross Country Motor Club at 800 261-2155, break-down, lock-out, flat repair etc
Powertrain: 5 year/ 60,000 miles
Corrosion: 5 year/100,000 miles
Note Warranties do not cover wear or damage due to abuse, lack of maintenance or competitive driving. Exclusions may apply, wear replacement may be one time only.

end warranty, start towing
what your Subaru will tow
TOWING CAPACITY: what a Subaru will tow in US pounds
This page is for information only and is subject to change and correction
Always contact your local dealer or towing specialist prior to towing, and have your vehicle serviced!

Subaru does not supply trailer hitches for all models. The factory hitch is a class 1, 1 1/4" (1.25").  2" hitch is not available from the factory.

Note: trailers must have brakes,  without brakes lower the capacity below to half or less.
Serious about towing? Get a transmission cooler for the automatic transmission. Be careful not to slip a manual transmission.
 
Tribeca
2010, 2009, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006: 3500lbs with auxiliary transmission cooler. Otherwise 2000lbs. 
Hard towing (hot, uphill, no trailer brakes, no trans cooler) 1000lbs

Outback
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005: 
4 cylinder 2.5i, XT- 2700 pounds with trailer brakes, 1000 w/o brakes, 
Hard towing 1350lbs 
CVT transmission- if towing replace the CVT oil 24855 miles
6 cylinder 3.6L, 3.0L: 3000lbs with trailer brakes, 1000 w/o brakes, hard towing 1500lbs

2004, 2003: Outback 4 cyl and all sedans 2000#, 6cylinder wagons 2400lbs 
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 Outbacks: 2000lbs

Legacy- 
Subaru doesn't recommend towing with a Legacy so it is not suggested or recommended
2010- 1000lbs. 
CVT transmission- if towing replace the CVT oil 24855 miles

2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005: 2.5i, GT 2700#
2004, 2003, 2002: 2000#
1999, 1998: manual trans 1000#, automatic trans 2000#

 Forester
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005: 2400lbs with trailer brakes, w/o brakes 1000lbs, Hard towing 1000lbs
2004, 2003 automatic trans 2000#,  manual trans 2400#
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 2000#

Impreza
Subaru doesn't supply hitches for the sedans or recommend towing and so it is not suggested or recommended and there is no offficial approval. Warranty could be affected by any towing.
Any automatic should be able to tow 1-2000 pounds, with trailer brakes. A trans cooler is always a good idea.
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 automatic trans 2000lbs manual 1000lbs
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 1997, 1996 1500#

Baja
2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 : 2400 pounds

towing behind a motorhome
 
Towing a Subaru behind a motorhome or a tow truck
The following is from Subaru Helpline Update, Feb 99
updated November 2009 re automatic

There has been a change to the policy regarding towing of Subaru vehicles behind motorhomes. The following applies to 1990 through present model year Legacy (Including Outback), 1993 through present year Impreza (incl. Outback Sport), and 1992 through present year SVX. (Note: should also include 1998 through present year Forester. Joe)

The factory hitch is 1.25"    a 2" hitch can be installed aftermarket

Manual Transmission: 
All Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground on a trailer but towing an AWD vehicle must never be attempted with only two wheels on the ground or two wheels on a dolly.

STI, to tow:  DCCD must be in manual mode, with the DCCD control dial set to the furthest rearward position (rolled toward rear seat).

Front Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground in neutral or with the two front wheels off the ground.

Automatic Transmission

November 2009. Automatic transmission and CVT vehicles can be towed with all wheels on the ground in an emergency for very short distance (under 31 miles) and at very slow speed (under 20mph).

AWD automatic 4 and 5 speed vehicles should not be towed with any wheels on the ground. The vehicle can only be towed on a trailer with all 4 wheels off the ground and the transmission in park.

Note: always inspect and check your car: radiator, coolant, all hoses, all fluids, brakes, towing equipment, lights etc

Always have a mechanic specialist inspect any car. Not responsible for any damage or potential damage caused by towing. Use common sense

This page is maintained by Joe Spitz who is responsible for content. Errors, omissions, typos happen and will be corrected as I am made aware of them.
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