If you live in Ontario, potholes aren’t just a nuisance — they’re a seasonal certainty. As winter turns to spring, thawing roads reveal cracks, craters, and unexpected hazards that test even the most capable vehicles. For Subaru owners, known for their all-wheel-drive confidence and go-anywhere spirit, potholes still pose a risk — particularly to suspension components that are constantly working overtime on uneven pavement.
Subaru vehicles are engineered with ruggedness in mind, but they’re not immune to real-world wear. Suspension damage doesn’t always come in dramatic form. It creeps in through vibration, slight misalignments, and progressive component fatigue. Understanding how Ontario’s pothole season impacts your Subaru’s suspension — and how to spot early warning signs — is essential for maintaining the sharp ride quality, safety, and longevity you expect from your Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or Legacy.
Why Potholes Are Especially Hard on Suspension Systems
Potholes are more than just holes in the road. They’re abrupt, often unavoidable dips that cause your wheels to drop suddenly, followed by an immediate jolt as the suspension rebounds. That force is transferred directly into your shocks, struts, ball joints, bushings, control arms, and alignment.
The issue isn’t just one pothole. It’s the repeated impact over time. In spring, Ontario’s roads are dotted with clusters of shallow craters and rough seams — meaning your suspension rarely gets a break. Combine that with fluctuating temperatures, road salt residue, and moisture, and you have a recipe for accelerated wear.
How Subaru Suspension Is Built — and What’s at Risk
Subaru models use a fully independent suspension setup — MacPherson struts in the front and double-wishbone or multi-link systems in the rear, depending on the model. This provides a comfortable ride, even on rough surfaces, and allows each wheel to move independently for better road holding.
But each of these components has a job, and potholes don’t make it easy:
- Struts and shocks absorb vertical motion and help control body roll.
- Control arms manage wheel movement and hold suspension geometry.
- Bushings cushion metal-on-metal contact and isolate road noise.
- Ball joints act as pivots for steering and suspension articulation.
- Tie rods maintain steering alignment and feedback.
When any of these parts take a hit — or worse, repeatedly — it can lead to misalignment, looseness in the steering wheel, uneven tire wear, or degraded ride quality.
Signs Your Suspension Has Taken a Hit
You won’t always hear a bang or feel an immediate pull after hitting a pothole. Often, the damage is subtle but progressive. If your Subaru exhibits any of the following symptoms, it’s time for a suspension inspection:
- Pulling to one side — a sign your alignment is off or a control arm has shifted.
- Clunking or knocking sounds over bumps — often indicate a worn bushing or loose strut mount.
- Excessive body roll or dive under braking — could point to worn shocks or struts.
- Uneven or cupped tire wear — often tied to poor alignment or bad bushings.
- Steering that feels loose or delayed — tie rod ends or ball joints may be compromised.
Left unaddressed, minor damage can accelerate tire wear, compromise handling, and even reduce your Subaru’s ability to absorb impact safely.
How to Minimize Suspension Damage During Pothole Season
Ontario drivers can’t avoid every pothole, but they can adopt habits and practices that limit long-term damage.
- Watch Your Speed
Slower speeds reduce the force of impact. If you can’t avoid a pothole, brake before reaching it — not while inside it — and release the brake just before impact to let the suspension move freely.
- Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Underinflated or overinflated tires absorb pothole impacts poorly. Subaru recommends checking tire pressure at least monthly, adjusting for ambient temperature shifts.
- Inspect Tires Regularly
Your tires are the first line of defense. Look for bulges, sidewall damage, or cuts after a significant impact. A damaged tire can fail suddenly under load.
- Avoid Puddle Hazards
Ontario spring puddles often mask deep potholes. Avoid them when possible, especially after a heavy thaw or rainfall.
- Stay Current on Alignment Checks
A post-winter alignment check can prevent premature tire wear and detect early signs of suspension damage. Subaru vehicles benefit from precise alignment settings to ensure optimal AWD performance.
When to Schedule a Suspension Inspection
At a minimum, Subaru owners in Ontario should schedule a full suspension check after winter, even if no symptoms are present. But certain triggers should prompt immediate service:
- After hitting a pothole that felt especially severe
- If you notice a vibration that wasn’t there before
- After replacing tires but noticing uneven wear within a few weeks
- If your steering feels off-center or wanders at highway speeds
A full inspection includes checks of:
- Shock and strut integrity
- Control arm bushings
- Ball joints and tie rods
- Spring condition
- Suspension mounting points
- Alignment readings
Certified Subaru technicians can also check for body or frame shifts if the impact is severe enough to warrant concern.
Subaru-Specific Considerations: AWD and Suspension Tuning
One of the reasons drivers choose Subaru is the balanced, predictable feel provided by the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and well-calibrated suspension tuning. But that balance depends on keeping all four wheels planted — and evenly spaced.
A misaligned rear wheel or sagging strut can subtly change how power is distributed in AWD mode. In some cases, it may cause torque vectoring to behave inconsistently or trigger stability control systems more often.
Subaru vehicles also rely on electronic driver aids like:
- Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC)
- Active Torque Vectoring
- X-MODE® in off-road-capable models
Any time the geometry of the suspension is altered, these systems may compensate — or produce alerts — that can lead to performance inconsistencies. Keeping the suspension in proper alignment ensures that the AWD system performs as intended in wet, snowy, or gravel conditions.
Preventative Maintenance: What Subaru Recommends
While Subaru doesn’t mandate suspension service at every interval, they do encourage:
- Tire rotations every 6,000 miles (helps detect wear issues early)
- Brake and steering inspection every 12,000 miles
- Suspension and chassis bolt torque checks at major milestones
If you drive in areas with consistently rough roads — as many Ontario drivers do — Subaru service advisors may recommend earlier or more frequent inspections, especially if your vehicle is over 60,000 miles.
Protect Your Subaru’s Handling and Comfort
The combination of unpredictable road conditions, spring thaw cycles, and aggressive pothole formation makes Ontario a challenging place for any vehicle’s suspension — even a Subaru. But the solution isn’t avoidance. It’s preparation, observation, and maintenance.
By staying ahead of wear, spotting small issues before they grow, and trusting certified Subaru technicians with alignment and suspension diagnostics, you can preserve that crisp ride feel, predictable handling, and off-road confidence that sets Subaru apart.