Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford vs Subaru: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Ford
16 models tracked
Subaru
8 models tracked
Subaru comes out ahead of Ford on reliability, with a clear edge. It costs less to repair, has far fewer recalls and draws less severe complaints. Both brands rate good and both are improving, but Ford's wider lineup carries more risk in a few models.
Is Ford More Reliable Than Subaru?
| Metric | Ford | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 65/100 | 73/100 |
| Models Tracked | 16 | 8 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 60 | 15 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2124 | 1084 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $701/yr | $605/yr |
Ford vs Subaru: The Verdict
A clear edge goes to Subaru on reliability. It is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs and recall impact. Federal recall records show 954 recalls for Ford against 121 for Subaru. Crash, fire and injury complaints are also lower for Subaru, and independent repair-cost data puts its yearly upkeep below Ford's.
The two are even on how widely problems spread across systems. Ford owners report power train faults most. Subaru owners report visibility and wiper problems most. Complaints per 1,000 sold are close, so the gap is in severity and cost, not in how often owners complain.
Where Ford and Subaru Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Ford | Subaru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 57/100Mixed | 62/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 68/100Good | 73/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 63/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 79/100Good |
Subaru's advantage in recall impact (+21 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.
Ford vs Subaru: Strengths and Weaknesses
Ford
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (65/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 13 of 16 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 257 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Subaru
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($605/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 8 of 8 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 74 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Ford and Subaru Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Ford
Subaru
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford or Subaru?
Based on independent repair cost data, Subaru is cheaper to maintain at an average of $605/year compared to $701/year for Ford. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Ford Repair Cost Range
$569 – $861/yr
Average: $701/yr
Subaru Repair Cost Range
$492 – $682/yr
Average: $605/yr
Ford vs Subaru Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Ford | Subaru | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(8 vs 5 models) | 64/100 | 72/100 | Subaru |
| Sedans(2 vs 3 models) | 63/100 | 74/100 | Subaru |
Subaru wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Ford vs Subaru
| Component | Ford | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 35%10,835 | 5%405 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 11%3,325 | 23%1,805 |
| ENGINE | 14%4,262 | 3%272 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 8%2,600 | 16%1,248 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1%264 | 33%2,612 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7%2,067 | — |
| STRUCTURE | 5%1,638 | 2%124 |
| STEERING | 4%1,195 | 2%191 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%1,015 | 2%132 |
| VISIBILITY | 1%254 | 6%461 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Ford vs Subaru Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Ford
859
Crash reports
257
Fire reports
793
Injury reports
Subaru
289
Crash reports
74
Fire reports
154
Injury reports
Every Ford and Subaru Model Ranked
Ford Models
Subaru Models
Ford vs Subaru Reliability Trend by Year
Ford's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100, up from earlier years. Subaru's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100.
Interestingly, both Ford and Subaru show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Ford | Subaru | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74/100(11) | 82/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2025 | 71/100(11) | 79/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2024 | 70/100(12) | 77/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2023 | 66/100(13) | 75/100(8) | Subaru |
| 2022 | 61/100(13) | 74/100(7) | Subaru |
| 2021 | 60/100(10) | 72/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2020 | 62/100(10) | 68/100(7) | Subaru |
| 2019 | 64/100(10) | 63/100(7) | Ford |
| 2018 | 61/100(10) | 67/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2017 | 58/100 | — | — |
| 2016 | 56/100 | — | — |
| 2015 | 59/100 | — | — |
| 2014 | 52/100 | — | — |
| 2013 | 54/100 | — | — |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Ford vs Subaru: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Ford and Subaru. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Ford vs Subaru?
If you want the lowest ownership cost and the least recall hassle, lean to Subaru. Target the Legacy, WRX or Forester, which rank at the top of that lineup. Skip the 2019 and 2020 Legacy, where cracking windshields and bubbling touchscreens draw the most complaints. With the Ascent, choose 2024 over 2019, and watch for a draining battery and a CVT that shudders or slips.
Lean to Ford if you need a truck or a wider choice of body styles. The Ranger is the strongest Ford, and the 2022 is a better buy than the 2019, which has a transmission that shifts hard or slips. The Mustang Mach-E, Fusion and Escape also rank near the top. Be careful with the Bronco, which rates mixed and swings by year. The 2021 and 2022 draw reports of sudden power loss and automatic transmission failure. The Focus and F-150 Lightning also rate mixed.
The Bottom Line: Ford or Subaru?
For the safer bet, pick Subaru. The Legacy is the strongest model across both lineups, though you should choose a 2024 over a 2019 or 2020. Over five years, Subaru's lower estimated repair cost adds up to about $480 in savings. Choose Ford only for a specific need, such as a truck, and then favor the Ranger over the Bronco.
Ford vs Subaru: Common Questions
Is Ford more reliable than Subaru?
Which brand has more recalls, Ford or Subaru?
Is Ford or Subaru cheaper to repair?
What problems do Ford and Subaru owners report most?
Which Ford years should I avoid?
Comparing Ford vs Subaru? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Ford and Subaru models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.