Subaru is a popular Japanese car brand, especially among auto enthusiasts. It’s an intriguing brand and is one of only three automakers producing/using boxer engines.  

It’s interesting to know more about the brand, its car components, and where most of these parts come from.

Around 260 companies produce parts for Subaru’s various models. Most major car components are manufactured in Japan by third-party companies. At least 45% of the parts for Subaru cars produced in the US are American-made, but engines and drivetrain parts come from Japan.

In this guide, we’ll talk about where Subaru car parts come from and who manufactures them.

What Company Makes Subaru Parts?

If there’s one thing that’s true to all car makers, it’s that they don’t make all their parts themselves. The same goes with Subaru. 

They design and assemble most of those parts to produce a complete vehicle, but they source most parts from original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

Subaru interior parts and everything else you find in your favourite Subie come from approximately 260 different companies.

The parts are shipped to Subaru and assembled into whole cars that roll off the factory floor and into your local showroom.

Still, most of Subaru's major components can be traced back to a short list of Japanese companies.

Here are a few of the OEM companies producing major Subaru components:

• Handa Manufacturing: Muffler parts
• Sakamoto Industry: Exhaust pipes and fuel tanks
• Ikeda Manufacturing: Brake parts and shock absorbers
• Mikoto Machinery: Engine mount and tailgate parts
• NHK Spring: Seats and springs
• Shigeru Industries: Interior parts
• Toa Industries: Radiator panels and other metal parts
• Chiyoda Manufacturing: Door hinges and front grilles

Are All Subarus Made in Japan?

You might be surprised to learn that Subaru has only two manufacturing plants worldwide. As you might have guessed, the original Subaru manufacturing plant is in Japan, specifically in Gunma, about 2 hours away from Tokyo.

The only other manufacturing plant is in the United States, known as Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), in Lafayette, Indiana.

The Lafayette plant manufactures Subaru Ascent, Legacy, Outback, and Impreza, producing half of all Subarus you see in the US and Canada.

Does Subaru Use American Parts?

Yes, some Subaru car parts are American made, though it’s unclear which ones are produced in the US.

Most major parts like Subaru engines are imported directly from Japan, so it’s safe to assume that only minor parts are sourced by Subaru from American manufacturers.

Data from Made in America Auto Index show the ratio of US-made parts in Subaru vehicles. According to them, every 2021 Subaru car is built from 45% American-made parts and 55% Japan-sourced parts. 

This index is helpful in tracking the total content of American parts in cars sold on the market. 

Major components like the engine, drivetrain, and transmissions are made in Japan and shipped directly to Subaru's two manufacturing plants in Japan and the US for assembly.

Are Subaru Cars Expensive to Repair?

Yes, Subaru cars are known to be more expensive to repair compared to other non-luxury vehicles.

We see two reasons for this:

• Spare parts: The availability of Subaru replacement parts can be the primary issue. With major Subaru components coming directly from Japan and nowhere else, you can expect to pay top dollar for brand-new genuine Subaru parts. Of course, used Subaru parts are the cheaper alternative. 
• Flat four-cylinder engine: Besides that, many Subaru models have a flat four-cylinder engine under the hood. That’s not the kind of engine that you’d find in most everyday cars, which means two things. First, you’ll be paying for a mechanic who knows how to handle such engines. Second, finding a Subaru boxer engine or its components will again cost you both time and money.

Are Subaru Replacement Parts Expensive?

Yes, Subaru replacement parts can be pretty expensive. That’s because genuine Subaru parts come directly from Japan, especially those for major components. So aside from the part's selling price, shipping costs to Australia also add up to a hefty price tag.

Thankfully, there are some other options you can rely on to get high-quality Subaru spare parts.

You can shop around for aftermarket Subaru parts, made by third-party manufacturers specifically for Subaru cars. This is a significantly cheaper option that offers the same function you’d expect from an original part. 

If you want to keep your car as purely Japanese as possible, your other inexpensive option is the second-hand market and recycled parts. Subaru cars aren’t that rare, so you have an excellent chance of finding used parts at your local car wrecker.

Many auto wreckers specialise in Subaru, so they will likely have the replacement part you want. They are usually members of large networks, so if they don’t have the part, they can point you to the right direction. 

Finding local auto wreckers is super easy these days, thanks to CarpartAU’s Directories. You can use it to identify all the automotive businesses in your local area or filter your search to easily find Subaru auto wreckers!

By Ray Hasbollah