Subaru Recommends Only Using OEM Parts on Structural Repairs—Here’s Why You Should Care

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Subaru wants you to have the highest-quality repair and that means using the best replacement parts.


It is common practice in our industry for each vehicle manufacturer to provide “Position Statements” that explain the best methods for repairing their makes and models.  Unfortunately, some body shops toss this useful advice out the window.  Unlike those shops, we believe it’s imperative to study the information carefully and follow the recommendations as expressed by the manufacturer.

In the event of structural repairs, Subaru has released a Position Statement recommending that only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts be used on their vehicles:

“Subaru does not support the use of aftermarket, alternative, or reverse-engineered components, or anything other than Subaru Genuine Parts for the collision repair of any Subaru vehicle. Additionally, Subaru does not support the use of parts that have been removed, salvaged or recycled from an existing vehicle. The use of non-OEM components that may not be manufactured to Subaru specifications or tolerances, or the use of alternative structural repair procedures, could compromise occupant safety in a subsequent collision.”

Essentially, they are explaining that it would be detrimental to your safety if anything besides OEM structural parts are used in a repair.


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How are structural parts different from any other parts?

Structural parts include floor elements, body panels, frame rails, and more that basically hold your vehicle together.  It’s especially important to preserve the integrity of your structural components, as they are the sections of your car that can help minimize damage in the event of a collision. 



Here’s the problem with non-OEM structural parts.


Aftermarket parts are developed to fit a range of makes and models, so they may not fit the exact specifications for placement on a Subaru.  That means a technician would have to bend, heat, and employ other creative methods to get the part to fit properly.  

Recycled and salvage parts might seem like a good idea, but keep in mind that it’s nearly impossible to determine the quality of their condition by the time they get to you.  They might be from a car that was already involved in a collision or experienced extreme weather fluctuations or simply survived general wear and tear. 



It’s dangerous to use anything besides Subaru Genuine Parts in your repair.

The engineers at Subaru have carefully designed their structural parts to work together seamlessly.  According to Subaru: 



There’s no sense in taking chances with your safety.  OEM parts are higher quality than aftermarket parts.  OEM parts have also never been used, never been exposed to the elements, never been rendered defective by improper disassembly like recycled or salvage parts. 



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While other shops might disregard Subaru’s recommendations, we respect this information because we care about the quality of your repair.


At our shop, we genuinely care about every repair we do.  Because of this, we make sure to follow Subaru’s recommendation of using new replacement structural parts, instead of taking chances with aftermarket and salvage components. 



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