Do subarus still use timing belts?
The concise answer: most modern Subarus use timing chains, not timing belts. Belt-driven engines are now mainly limited to older EJ-series powerplants; verify your model/year to be sure.
Subaru’s engine lineup has evolved from belt-driven EJ engines to chain-driven FA/FB/EZ families. This article explains what that means for maintenance, and how to check your specific vehicle.
Background: belts versus chains in Subaru engineering
Timing belts and timing chains perform the same job—keep the camshaft and crankshaft in sync—but they wear differently and have different service requirements. Subaru began migrating away from belts with its newer engine families around the 2010s, favoring chains for durability and reduced maintenance. If you own or buy a Subaru from the 1990s or early 2000s, you may still encounter belt-driven engines with notable replacement intervals and a belt-driven water pump.
Current lineup and what it means for owners
The following overview highlights which engine families are belt-driven or chain-driven in recent Subarus, and why it matters for maintenance.
Engine families at a glance
- Older EJ-series engines (found in many 1990s-2000s Subarus): timing belts; water pump often driven by the belt; belt replacement intervals commonly around 100,000 miles, varying by model and climate.
- Newer FA/FB/EZ-series engines (introduced in the 2010s and used in most current models): timing chains; generally no routine replacement interval, with service focused on tensioners, guides, and occasional water pump replacement during major maintenance.
- EZ36 and other larger-displacement engines: timing chains; similar maintenance considerations to FA/FB engines.
- Regional or transitional models: a few late-model or specialty vehicles may differ; always verify with your VIN or owner’s manual.
In practice, modern Subarus predominantly use timing chains, reducing the need for the periodic belt changes that characterized older models. Verify your specific year and engine code to be sure.
Maintenance tips for timing systems
To help you stay on top of maintenance, observe these general guidelines and consult a dealer or qualified mechanic for your exact model and year.
- Consult your owner's manual for the recommended service approach and mileage intervals for your engine's timing system; belt-equipped engines require belt replacement and often pump maintenance when replaced, while chain-equipped engines focus on tensioners and occasional component replacements at major services.
- For chain-driven engines, there is no standard mileage replacement interval, but unusual engine noises or performance changes should prompt inspection of the timing chain, guides, and tensioners.
- If buying used Subaru, verify the engine code and service history to determine whether timing belts were replaced and whether any timing-system maintenance was performed during major services.
Note: While timing chains generally offer longer-term reliability than belts, all timing-system work should be carried out by a qualified technician to avoid catastrophic engine damage in the event of a failure.
Summary
Today’s Subarus predominantly rely on timing chains across the main engine families, reducing the need for belt replacements in routine maintenance. Belt-driven engines remain associated with older EJ-series powerplants and are limited to out-of-production vehicles. For any specific model-year, check the owner’s manual or consult a Subaru dealership to confirm whether the engine uses a belt or a chain and what maintenance is recommended.
