Subaru FAST Explained: Subaru Parts by VIN
The same name as Nissan, a different catalog
If you search for FAST you will find results for both. Nissan FAST covers Nissan and Infiniti; Subaru FAST covers Subaru. Neither will resolve the other manufacturer number.
Our guide on Nissan FAST covers that system separately, so there is no need to hold both in your head at once.
Reading a Subaru number
A Subaru number runs five digits, two letters, then three digits, like 26296AG090. The opening five identify the part family, and the letters and closing digits identify the application and the variant.
The second half is the part to watch. A part family that runs through several generations of Impreza keeps its opening five digits while the rest of the number changes, so a number that looks almost right can belong to a different car. Confirm it against the VIN before you order.
Turbo and naturally aspirated are different cars underneath
Subaru sells the same model with and without a turbocharger, and the difference reaches further than the engine. Cooling, brakes, driveshafts and suspension often differ between the two, even where the bodywork is identical.
The VIN tells the catalog which one you have. Ordering from the model name alone is how a brake job ends up with discs that do not clear the caliper.
Japanese-market cars
Subaru has a large enthusiast following and a steady flow of Japanese imports, and those cars carry a chassis code and serial rather than a 17-character VIN.
The catalog accepts the chassis number, though you get less equipment detail than a full VIN would give. See VIN versus chassis number for how the two identifiers differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is Subaru FAST the same as Nissan FAST?
No. The two systems share a name and nothing else. Subaru FAST covers Subaru; Nissan FAST covers Nissan and Infiniti.
What does a Subaru part number look like?
Five digits, two letters, then three digits, such as 26296AG090. The opening five name the part family, and the rest identifies the application.
Why do turbo and non-turbo models take different parts?
The turbo version usually differs in cooling, brakes, driveshafts and suspension as well as the engine, even when the body is the same.
Can I look up a Japanese import?
Yes. Japanese-market cars use a chassis code and serial, which the catalog accepts, though with less equipment detail than a full VIN.