Last updated: 2026-05-15
Land Rover vs Subaru: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Land Rover
2 models tracked
Subaru
6 models tracked
Comparing Land Rover and Subaru on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.
Subaru currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 56/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.
Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Subaru?
| Metric | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 56/100 | 72/100 |
| Models Tracked | 2 | 6 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 99 | 16 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 472 | 1362 |
Land Rover Models
2 models ranked by reliability
Land Rover vs Subaru: The Verdict
If reliability is your priority, Subaru makes a stronger case than Land Rover by a wide margin. The overall picture: Land Rover scores 56/100 across 2 models, while Subaru comes in at 72/100 across 6 models — all data-driven, no bias.
Where Land Rover and Subaru Differ Most
Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:
| Component | Weight | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 50/100Mixed | 62/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 72/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 61/100Good | 83/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 79/100Good | 78/100Good |
Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Subaru outscores by 32 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.
Land Rover vs Subaru: Strengths and Weaknesses
Land Rover
Strengths
- Above-average reliability (56/100 average)
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Subaru
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (72/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($613/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 6 of 6 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 60 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Land Rover vs Subaru Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Land Rover | Subaru | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 4 models) | 60/100 | 71/100 | Subaru |
| Sedans(1 vs 2 models) | 54/100 | 74/100 | Subaru |
Subaru wins 2 out of 2 shared categories.
Common Problems: Land Rover vs Subaru
Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:
| Component | Land Rover | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 10%86 | 36%2,344 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30%244 | 22%1,442 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%100 | 15%968 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12%99 | 4%276 |
| ENGINE | 8%70 | 4%247 |
| STEERING | 8%66 | 3%203 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%22 | 3%198 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4%30 | 3%162 |
| VISIBILITY | 1%5 | 3%185 |
| STRUCTURE | 3%26 | 1%33 |
Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.
Land Rover vs Subaru Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Across all tracked models, Land Rover owners reported 32 crash-related, 17 fire-related, and 41 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Subaru owners reported 250 crash-related, 60 fire-related, and 131 injury-related complaints. Land Rover has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.
Land Rover
32
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
41
Injury reports
Subaru
250
Crash reports
60
Fire reports
131
Injury reports
Every Land Rover and Subaru Model Ranked
All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.
Land Rover Models
Land Rover vs Subaru Reliability Trend by Year
Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:
Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 64/100, up from earlier years. Subaru's reliability is improving — recent model years average 78/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Land Rover | Subaru | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64/100(2) | 79/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2024 | 64/100(2) | 76/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2023 | 55/100(2) | 76/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2022 | 56/100(2) | 74/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2021 | 56/100(2) | 72/100(5) | Subaru |
| 2020 | 42/100(1) | 68/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2019 | 56/100(1) | 63/100(6) | Subaru |
| 2018 | 47/100(1) | 66/100(5) | Subaru |
Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.
The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Subaru?
The numbers make a strong case for Subaru — this is one of the larger make-level gaps in our database.
If you want the single most reliable option: the Subaru WRX leads both lineups with a score of 75/100.
All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.
Land Rover vs Subaru: Common Questions
Is Land Rover more reliable than Subaru?
Which make has more recalls, Land Rover or Subaru?
What are the most reliable models from Land Rover and Subaru?
What are the least reliable models from Land Rover and Subaru?
What are the most common problems with Land Rover and Subaru vehicles?
How many Land Rover and Subaru models does Auto Reliability Index track?
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Land Rover or Subaru?
Are Land Rover and Subaru getting more or less reliable?
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Land Rover or Subaru?
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Land Rover or Subaru?
Comparing Land Rover vs Subaru? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.