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Subaru VIN Decoder with MPG & Fuel Cost

Enter your Subaru's 17-character VIN to decode its year, model and build details, see US model recall campaigns, and match EPA configurations where available. Set your mileage and fuel price to estimate running costs.

0/17 characters — letters and digits, never I, O or Q

Subaru MPG and running costs by model

A quick model-level comparison before you decode. Enter a VIN above for EPA configurations matched to the decoded year and available powertrain details, then adjust your mileage and energy price. These preview figures are broader estimates, not exact year-and-trim ratings.

Annual estimates assume 12,000 miles, US average regular gasoline at $4.35/gal, diesel at $6.20/gal, or residential electricity at $0.17/kWh. Fuel prices dated 2026-10-05. Costs exclude maintenance, insurance, tax and depreciation.

All 9 Subaru models and running costs
Compare all Subaru running costs →

Subaru manufacturer and country codes

Subaru passenger cars and utility vehicles use different Japanese and US identifiers. Engine and transmission choices affect the matching fuel-cost estimate.

The first three characters form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These are verified examples, not an exhaustive list. A WMI can cover more than one retail brand; it identifies the manufacturer, not a model, engine or exact assembly plant. Country below refers to the WMI region assignment. Use the full decode for the reported build plant.

Verified Subaru WMI examples
WMICountry / regionRegistered manufacturerVehicle type
JF1JapanSUBARU CORPORATIONPassenger Car
JF2JapanSUBARU CORPORATIONMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
4S3United StatesSUBARU OF AMERICA, INCPassenger Car
4S4United StatesSUBARU OF AMERICA, INCMultipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
Compare manufacturer codes across makes →

Worked Subaru VIN example

4S4BSANC2F3000001

Illustrative VIN with a placeholder serial number (000001), checked against NHTSA vPIC. It demonstrates the build-code decode, not a particular car's identity or history.

Make, model and year
Subaru Outback, 2015
Body and fuel
Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] · Gasoline
Engine displacement
2.5 litres
Reported assembly plant
LAFAYETTE, UNITED STATES (USA)
Position 9: check digit
2
Position 10: model-year code
F → 2015

Read the NHTSA example decode →

For US-standard passenger cars, and multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks rated at 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) or less, a number in position 7 selects 1980–2009; a letter selects 2010–2039. This shortcut does not apply to every overseas-market vehicle, heavy truck or motorcycle. Model year can differ from the calendar year of manufacture. See every year code →

Where to find your Subaru VIN

Start with the plate at the base of the windshield, usually on the driver's side, read from outside the car. Look next for the certification label in the front door opening. Compare the full 17 characters with the registration, title or insurance documents. Exact label and stamped-chassis locations vary by model, year and market; the owner's manual is the model-specific authority.

Subaru's manual portal allows a VIN or model selection. Use the exact year and model to find identification diagrams, then compare the physical number with the registration before decoding.

Subaru vehicle manuals →

NHTSA VIN location and recall lookup · VIN location checklist →

Subaru recall campaigns

Snapshot checked 2026-10-06; source contains reports through 2026-10-01. The largest 3 US vehicle campaigns in our NHTSA snapshot reported since 2024-10-06, ranked by total potentially affected units. Totals cover the entire campaign and can include other makes; they are not counts of unrepaired Subaru vehicles.

NHTSA 25V744000 →Reported 2025-10-30

back over prevention:display function

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

1,024,407 potentially affected units across the campaign. Subaru models: SOLTERRA. Model years in this make's records: 2023, 2024, 2025.

Risk and remedy

A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

NHTSA 26V436000 →Reported 2026-07-07

equipment:other:labels

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."

541,237 potentially affected units across the campaign. Subaru models: ASCENT, CROSSTREK HYBRID, FORESTER, FORESTER HYBRID. Model years in this make's records: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.

Risk and remedy

An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

NHTSA 25V577000 →Reported 2025-09-04

visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.

94,320 potentially affected units across the campaign. Subaru models: SOLTERRA. Model years in this make's records: 2023, 2024, 2025.

Risk and remedy

An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB07 and 25TA07. Lexus' numbers for this recall are 25LB04 and 25LA04. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-25.

A model campaign is not proof that your individual car is affected or that its repair remains open. Check your VIN with NHTSA or the manufacturer for current applicability and repair status. A VIN decode does not provide accident, mileage or ownership history.

Recall data source and download →

Another make? Browse every make decoder or use the free VIN check. Manufacturer-code records checked 2026-10-06.