diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/BeanMappingMethod.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/BeanMappingMethod.java
index bdfd8cf54..267702826 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/BeanMappingMethod.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/BeanMappingMethod.java
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ public class BeanMappingMethod extends NormalTypeMappingMethod {
             return this;
         }
 
+        @Override
         public BeanMappingMethod build() {
 
             BeanMappingOptions beanMapping = method.getOptions().getBeanMapping();
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/MappingMethodOptions.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/MappingMethodOptions.java
index 45b1175f8..4a140c4fb 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/MappingMethodOptions.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/MappingMethodOptions.java
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import java.util.LinkedHashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Set;
+import javax.lang.model.element.AnnotationMirror;
 
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.gem.CollectionMappingStrategyGem;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.common.Type;
@@ -35,7 +36,8 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
         null,
         null,
         Collections.emptyList(),
-        Collections.emptySet()
+        Collections.emptySet(),
+        null
     );
 
     private MapperOptions mapper;
@@ -46,14 +48,16 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
     private EnumMappingOptions enumMappingOptions;
     private List<ValueMappingOptions> valueMappings;
     private boolean fullyInitialized;
-    private Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMapping;
+    private Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMappings;
+
+    private SubclassValidator subclassValidator;
 
     public MappingMethodOptions(MapperOptions mapper, Set<MappingOptions> mappings,
                                 IterableMappingOptions iterableMapping,
                                 MapMappingOptions mapMapping, BeanMappingOptions beanMapping,
                                 EnumMappingOptions enumMappingOptions,
                                 List<ValueMappingOptions> valueMappings,
-                                Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMapping) {
+                                Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMappings, SubclassValidator subclassValidator) {
         this.mapper = mapper;
         this.mappings = mappings;
         this.iterableMapping = iterableMapping;
@@ -61,7 +65,8 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
         this.beanMapping = beanMapping;
         this.enumMappingOptions = enumMappingOptions;
         this.valueMappings = valueMappings;
-        this.subclassMapping = subclassMapping;
+        this.subclassMappings = subclassMappings;
+        this.subclassValidator = subclassValidator;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -102,7 +107,7 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
     }
 
     public Set<SubclassMappingOptions> getSubclassMappings() {
-        return subclassMapping;
+        return subclassMappings;
     }
 
     public void setIterableMapping(IterableMappingOptions iterableMapping) {
@@ -144,10 +149,13 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
     /**
      * Merges in all the mapping options configured, giving the already defined options precedence.
      *
+     * @param sourceMethod the method which inherits the options.
      * @param templateMethod the template method with the options to inherit, may be {@code null}
      * @param isInverse if {@code true}, the specified options are from an inverse method
+     * @param annotationMirror the annotation on which the compile errors will be shown.
      */
-    public void applyInheritedOptions(SourceMethod templateMethod, boolean isInverse) {
+    public void applyInheritedOptions(SourceMethod sourceMethod, SourceMethod templateMethod, boolean isInverse,
+                                      AnnotationMirror annotationMirror) {
         MappingMethodOptions templateOptions = templateMethod.getOptions();
         if ( null != templateOptions ) {
             if ( !getIterableMapping().hasAnnotation() && templateOptions.getIterableMapping().hasAnnotation() ) {
@@ -184,7 +192,7 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
             }
             else {
                 if ( templateOptions.getValueMappings() != null ) {
-                    // iff there are also inherited mappings, we inverse and add them.
+                    // if there are also inherited mappings, we inverse and add them.
                     for ( ValueMappingOptions inheritedValueMapping : templateOptions.getValueMappings() ) {
                         ValueMappingOptions valueMapping =
                             isInverse ? inheritedValueMapping.inverse() : inheritedValueMapping;
@@ -196,7 +204,13 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
                 }
             }
 
-            // Do NOT inherit subclass mapping options!!!
+            if ( isInverse ) {
+                // normal inheritence of subclass mappings will result runtime in infinite loops.
+                List<SubclassMappingOptions> inheritedMappings = SubclassMappingOptions.copyForInverseInheritance(
+                                              templateOptions.getSubclassMappings(),
+                                              getBeanMapping() );
+                addAllNonRedefined( sourceMethod, annotationMirror, inheritedMappings );
+            }
 
             Set<MappingOptions> newMappings = new LinkedHashSet<>();
             for ( MappingOptions mapping : templateOptions.getMappings() ) {
@@ -218,6 +232,21 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
         }
     }
 
+    private void addAllNonRedefined(SourceMethod sourceMethod, AnnotationMirror annotationMirror,
+                                    List<SubclassMappingOptions> inheritedMappings) {
+        Set<SubclassMappingOptions> redefinedSubclassMappings = new HashSet<>( subclassMappings );
+        for ( SubclassMappingOptions subclassMappingOption : inheritedMappings ) {
+            if ( !redefinedSubclassMappings.contains( subclassMappingOption ) ) {
+                if ( subclassValidator.isValidUsage(
+                                          sourceMethod.getExecutable(),
+                                          annotationMirror,
+                    subclassMappingOption.getSource() ) ) {
+                    subclassMappings.add( subclassMappingOption );
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     private void addAllNonRedefined(Set<MappingOptions> inheritedMappings) {
         Set<String> redefinedSources = new HashSet<>();
         Set<String> redefinedTargets = new HashSet<>();
@@ -328,7 +357,7 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
     /**
      * SubclassMappingOptions are not inherited to forged methods. They would result in an infinite loop if they were.
      *
-     * @return a MappingMethodOptions without SubclassMappingOptions.
+     * @return a MappingMethodOptions without SubclassMappingOptions or SubclassValidator.
      */
     public static MappingMethodOptions getForgedMethodInheritedOptions(MappingMethodOptions options) {
         return new MappingMethodOptions(
@@ -339,7 +368,8 @@ public class MappingMethodOptions {
             options.beanMapping,
             options.enumMappingOptions,
             options.valueMappings,
-            Collections.emptySet() );
+            Collections.emptySet(),
+            null );
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SourceMethod.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SourceMethod.java
index 5895ecba2..92180bca8 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SourceMethod.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SourceMethod.java
@@ -16,15 +16,14 @@ import javax.lang.model.element.ExecutableElement;
 import javax.lang.model.element.Modifier;
 
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.gem.ConditionGem;
-import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.TypeUtils;
-
+import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.gem.ObjectFactoryGem;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.common.Accessibility;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.common.Parameter;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.common.Type;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.common.TypeFactory;
-import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.gem.ObjectFactoryGem;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.Executables;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.Strings;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.TypeUtils;
 
 import static org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.MappingMethodUtils.isEnumMapping;
 import static org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.Collections.first;
@@ -98,6 +97,7 @@ public class SourceMethod implements Method {
         private Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMappings;
 
         private boolean verboseLogging;
+        private SubclassValidator subclassValidator;
 
         public Builder setDeclaringMapper(Type declaringMapper) {
             this.declaringMapper = declaringMapper;
@@ -159,6 +159,11 @@ public class SourceMethod implements Method {
             return this;
         }
 
+        public Builder setSubclassValidator(SubclassValidator subclassValidator) {
+            this.subclassValidator = subclassValidator;
+            return this;
+        }
+
         public Builder setTypeUtils(TypeUtils typeUtils) {
             this.typeUtils = typeUtils;
             return this;
@@ -212,7 +217,8 @@ public class SourceMethod implements Method {
                 beanMapping,
                 enumMappingOptions,
                 valueMappings,
-                subclassMappings
+                subclassMappings,
+                subclassValidator
             );
 
             this.typeParameters = this.executable.getTypeParameters()
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassMappingOptions.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassMappingOptions.java
index 54a0ba456..08df8083b 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassMappingOptions.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassMappingOptions.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  */
 package org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source;
 
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
 import javax.lang.model.element.ExecutableElement;
@@ -31,11 +32,13 @@ public class SubclassMappingOptions extends DelegatingOptions {
 
     private final TypeMirror source;
     private final TypeMirror target;
+    private final TypeUtils typeUtils;
 
-    public SubclassMappingOptions(TypeMirror source, TypeMirror target, DelegatingOptions next) {
+    public SubclassMappingOptions(TypeMirror source, TypeMirror target, TypeUtils typeUtils, DelegatingOptions next) {
         super( next );
         this.source = source;
         this.target = target;
+        this.typeUtils = typeUtils;
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -84,7 +87,9 @@ public class SubclassMappingOptions extends DelegatingOptions {
                         targetSubclass.toString() );
             isConsistent = false;
         }
-        subclassValidator.isInCorrectOrder( method, gem.mirror(), targetSubclass );
+        if ( !subclassValidator.isValidUsage( method, gem.mirror(), sourceSubclass ) ) {
+            isConsistent = false;
+        }
         return isConsistent;
     }
 
@@ -115,10 +120,10 @@ public class SubclassMappingOptions extends DelegatingOptions {
     public static void addInstances(SubclassMappingsGem gem, ExecutableElement method,
                                     BeanMappingOptions beanMappingOptions, FormattingMessager messager,
                                     TypeUtils typeUtils, Set<SubclassMappingOptions> mappings,
-                                    List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType) {
-        SubclassValidator subclassValidator = new SubclassValidator( messager, typeUtils );
+                                    List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType,
+                                    SubclassValidator subclassValidator) {
         for ( SubclassMappingGem subclassMappingGem : gem.value().get() ) {
-            addAndValidateInstance(
+            addInstance(
                 subclassMappingGem,
                 method,
                 beanMappingOptions,
@@ -134,24 +139,8 @@ public class SubclassMappingOptions extends DelegatingOptions {
     public static void addInstance(SubclassMappingGem subclassMapping, ExecutableElement method,
                                    BeanMappingOptions beanMappingOptions, FormattingMessager messager,
                                    TypeUtils typeUtils, Set<SubclassMappingOptions> mappings,
-                                   List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType) {
-        addAndValidateInstance(
-            subclassMapping,
-            method,
-            beanMappingOptions,
-            messager,
-            typeUtils,
-            mappings,
-            sourceParameters,
-            resultType,
-            new SubclassValidator( messager, typeUtils ) );
-    }
-
-    private static void addAndValidateInstance(SubclassMappingGem subclassMapping, ExecutableElement method,
-                                               BeanMappingOptions beanMappingOptions, FormattingMessager messager,
-                                               TypeUtils typeUtils, Set<SubclassMappingOptions> mappings,
-                                               List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType,
-                                               SubclassValidator subclassValidator) {
+                                   List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType,
+                                   SubclassValidator subclassValidator) {
         if ( !isConsistent(
             subclassMapping,
             method,
@@ -166,6 +155,41 @@ public class SubclassMappingOptions extends DelegatingOptions {
         TypeMirror sourceSubclass = subclassMapping.source().getValue();
         TypeMirror targetSubclass = subclassMapping.target().getValue();
 
-        mappings.add( new SubclassMappingOptions( sourceSubclass, targetSubclass, beanMappingOptions ) );
+        mappings
+                .add(
+                    new SubclassMappingOptions(
+                        sourceSubclass,
+                        targetSubclass,
+                        typeUtils,
+                        beanMappingOptions ) );
+    }
+
+    public static List<SubclassMappingOptions> copyForInverseInheritance(Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMappings,
+                                                                        BeanMappingOptions beanMappingOptions) {
+        // we are not interested in keeping it unique at this point.
+        List<SubclassMappingOptions> mappings = new ArrayList<>();
+        for ( SubclassMappingOptions subclassMapping : subclassMappings ) {
+            mappings.add(
+                        new SubclassMappingOptions(
+                                   subclassMapping.target,
+                                   subclassMapping.source,
+                                   subclassMapping.typeUtils,
+                                   beanMappingOptions ) );
+        }
+        return mappings;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public boolean equals(Object obj) {
+        if ( obj == null || !( obj instanceof SubclassMappingOptions ) ) {
+            return false;
+        }
+        SubclassMappingOptions other = (SubclassMappingOptions) obj;
+        return typeUtils.isSameType( source, other.source );
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    public int hashCode() {
+        return 1; // use a stable value because TypeMirror is not safe to use for hashCode.
     }
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassValidator.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassValidator.java
index dd79ba0c0..601b588e4 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassValidator.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/model/source/SubclassValidator.java
@@ -20,19 +20,28 @@ import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.TypeUtils;
  *
  * @author Ben Zegveld
  */
-class SubclassValidator {
+public class SubclassValidator {
 
     private final FormattingMessager messager;
     private final List<TypeMirror> handledSubclasses = new ArrayList<>();
     private final TypeUtils typeUtils;
 
-    SubclassValidator(FormattingMessager messager, TypeUtils typeUtils) {
+    public SubclassValidator(FormattingMessager messager, TypeUtils typeUtils) {
         this.messager = messager;
         this.typeUtils = typeUtils;
     }
 
-    public boolean isInCorrectOrder(Element e, AnnotationMirror annotation, TypeMirror sourceType) {
+    public boolean isValidUsage(Element e, AnnotationMirror annotation, TypeMirror sourceType) {
         for ( TypeMirror typeMirror : handledSubclasses ) {
+            if ( typeUtils.isSameType( sourceType, typeMirror ) ) {
+                messager
+                        .printMessage(
+                            e,
+                            annotation,
+                            Message.SUBCLASSMAPPING_DOUBLE_SOURCE_SUBCLASS,
+                            sourceType );
+                return false;
+            }
             if ( typeUtils.isAssignable( sourceType, typeMirror ) ) {
                 messager
                         .printMessage(
@@ -43,11 +52,11 @@ class SubclassValidator {
                             typeMirror,
                             sourceType,
                             typeMirror );
-                return true;
+                return false;
             }
         }
         handledSubclasses.add( sourceType );
-        return false;
+        return true;
     }
 
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MapperCreationProcessor.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MapperCreationProcessor.java
index bae0cda1a..d8acb1039 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MapperCreationProcessor.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MapperCreationProcessor.java
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.SortedSet;
 import java.util.TreeSet;
+import javax.lang.model.element.AnnotationMirror;
 import javax.lang.model.element.Element;
 import javax.lang.model.element.ElementKind;
 import javax.lang.model.element.ExecutableElement;
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
                 continue;
             }
 
-            mergeInheritedOptions( method, mapperAnnotation, methods, new ArrayList<>() );
+            mergeInheritedOptions( method, mapperAnnotation, methods, new ArrayList<>(), null );
 
             MappingMethodOptions mappingOptions = method.getOptions();
 
@@ -462,7 +463,8 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
     }
 
     private void mergeInheritedOptions(SourceMethod method, MapperOptions mapperConfig,
-                                       List<SourceMethod> availableMethods, List<SourceMethod> initializingMethods) {
+                                       List<SourceMethod> availableMethods, List<SourceMethod> initializingMethods,
+                                       AnnotationMirror annotationMirror) {
         if ( initializingMethods.contains( method ) ) {
             // cycle detected
 
@@ -497,10 +499,10 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
 
         // apply defined (@InheritConfiguration, @InheritInverseConfiguration) mappings
         if ( forwardTemplateMethod != null ) {
-            mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( forwardTemplateMethod, false );
+            mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( method, forwardTemplateMethod, false, annotationMirror );
         }
         if ( inverseTemplateMethod != null ) {
-            mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( inverseTemplateMethod, true );
+            mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( method, inverseTemplateMethod, true, annotationMirror );
         }
 
         // apply auto inherited options
@@ -510,7 +512,8 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
             // but.. there should not be an @InheritedConfiguration
             if ( forwardTemplateMethod == null && inheritanceStrategy.isApplyForward() ) {
                 if ( applicablePrototypeMethods.size() == 1 ) {
-                    mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( first( applicablePrototypeMethods ), false );
+                    mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( method, first( applicablePrototypeMethods ), false,
+                        annotationMirror );
                 }
                 else if ( applicablePrototypeMethods.size() > 1 ) {
                     messager.printMessage(
@@ -523,7 +526,8 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
             // or no @InheritInverseConfiguration
             if ( inverseTemplateMethod == null && inheritanceStrategy.isApplyReverse() ) {
                 if ( applicableReversePrototypeMethods.size() == 1 ) {
-                    mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( first( applicableReversePrototypeMethods ), true );
+                    mappingOptions.applyInheritedOptions( method, first( applicableReversePrototypeMethods ), true,
+                        annotationMirror );
                 }
                 else if ( applicableReversePrototypeMethods.size() > 1 ) {
                     messager.printMessage(
@@ -607,16 +611,23 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
             }
         }
 
-        return extractInitializedOptions( resultMethod, rawMethods, mapperConfig, initializingMethods );
+        return extractInitializedOptions( resultMethod, rawMethods, mapperConfig, initializingMethods,
+            getAnnotationMirror( inverseConfiguration ) );
+    }
+
+    private AnnotationMirror getAnnotationMirror(InheritInverseConfigurationGem inverseConfiguration) {
+        return inverseConfiguration == null ? null : inverseConfiguration.mirror();
     }
 
     private SourceMethod extractInitializedOptions(SourceMethod resultMethod,
                                                      List<SourceMethod> rawMethods,
                                                      MapperOptions mapperConfig,
-                                                     List<SourceMethod> initializingMethods) {
+                                                     List<SourceMethod> initializingMethods,
+                                                     AnnotationMirror annotationMirror) {
         if ( resultMethod != null ) {
             if ( !resultMethod.getOptions().isFullyInitialized() ) {
-                mergeInheritedOptions( resultMethod, mapperConfig, rawMethods, initializingMethods );
+                mergeInheritedOptions( resultMethod, mapperConfig, rawMethods, initializingMethods,
+                    annotationMirror );
             }
 
             return resultMethod;
@@ -684,7 +695,12 @@ public class MapperCreationProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<List<Sourc
             }
         }
 
-        return extractInitializedOptions( resultMethod, rawMethods, mapperConfig, initializingMethods );
+        return extractInitializedOptions( resultMethod, rawMethods, mapperConfig, initializingMethods,
+                                          getAnnotationMirror( inheritConfiguration ) );
+    }
+
+    private AnnotationMirror getAnnotationMirror(InheritConfigurationGem inheritConfiguration) {
+        return inheritConfiguration == null ? null : inheritConfiguration.mirror();
     }
 
     private void reportErrorWhenAmbigousReverseMapping(List<SourceMethod> candidates, SourceMethod method,
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MethodRetrievalProcessor.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MethodRetrievalProcessor.java
index a31fb41a7..201f1a1f2 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MethodRetrievalProcessor.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/processor/MethodRetrievalProcessor.java
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.MappingOptions;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.ParameterProvidedMethods;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.SourceMethod;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.SubclassMappingOptions;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.SubclassValidator;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.model.source.ValueMappingOptions;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.option.Options;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.internal.util.AccessorNamingUtils;
@@ -307,11 +308,13 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
 
         // We want to get as much error reporting as possible.
         // If targetParameter is not null it means we have an update method
+        SubclassValidator subclassValidator = new SubclassValidator( messager, typeUtils );
         Set<SubclassMappingOptions> subclassMappingOptions = getSubclassMappings(
             sourceParameters,
             targetParameter != null ? null : resultType,
             method,
-            beanMappingOptions
+            beanMappingOptions,
+            subclassValidator
         );
 
         return new SourceMethod.Builder()
@@ -327,6 +330,7 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
             .setValueMappingOptionss( getValueMappings( method ) )
             .setEnumMappingOptions( enumMappingOptions )
             .setSubclassMappings( subclassMappingOptions )
+            .setSubclassValidator( subclassValidator )
             .setTypeUtils( typeUtils )
             .setTypeFactory( typeFactory )
             .setPrototypeMethods( prototypeMethods )
@@ -601,8 +605,10 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
      * @return The subclass mappings for the given method
      */
     private Set<SubclassMappingOptions> getSubclassMappings(List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType,
-                                                            ExecutableElement method, BeanMappingOptions beanMapping) {
-        return new RepeatableSubclassMappings( sourceParameters, resultType ).getMappings( method, beanMapping );
+                                                            ExecutableElement method, BeanMappingOptions beanMapping,
+                                                            SubclassValidator validator) {
+        return new RepeatableSubclassMappings( sourceParameters, resultType, validator )
+                        .getMappings( method, beanMapping );
     }
 
     private class RepeatableMappings extends RepeatableMappingAnnotations<MappingGem, MappingsGem, MappingOptions> {
@@ -637,11 +643,13 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
         extends RepeatableMappingAnnotations<SubclassMappingGem, SubclassMappingsGem, SubclassMappingOptions> {
         private final List<Parameter> sourceParameters;
         private final Type resultType;
+        private SubclassValidator validator;
 
-        RepeatableSubclassMappings(List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType) {
+        RepeatableSubclassMappings(List<Parameter> sourceParameters, Type resultType, SubclassValidator validator) {
             super( SUB_CLASS_MAPPING_FQN, SUB_CLASS_MAPPINGS_FQN );
             this.sourceParameters = sourceParameters;
             this.resultType = resultType;
+            this.validator = validator;
         }
 
         @Override
@@ -666,7 +674,8 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
                                       typeUtils,
                                       mappings,
                                       sourceParameters,
-                                      resultType );
+                                      resultType,
+                                      validator );
         }
 
         @Override
@@ -681,7 +690,8 @@ public class MethodRetrievalProcessor implements ModelElementProcessor<Void, Lis
                                       typeUtils,
                                       mappings,
                                       sourceParameters,
-                                      resultType );
+                                      resultType,
+                                      validator );
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/util/Message.java b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/util/Message.java
index 8588ec183..6d8fed1a9 100644
--- a/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/util/Message.java
+++ b/processor/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/ap/internal/util/Message.java
@@ -117,6 +117,7 @@ public enum Message {
     ENUMMAPPING_NO_ELEMENTS( "'nameTransformationStrategy', 'configuration' and 'unexpectedValueMappingException' are undefined in @EnumMapping, define at least one of them." ),
     ENUMMAPPING_ILLEGAL_TRANSFORMATION( "Illegal transformation for '%s' EnumTransformationStrategy. Error: '%s'." ),
 
+    SUBCLASSMAPPING_DOUBLE_SOURCE_SUBCLASS( "Subclass '%s' is already defined as a source." ),
     SUBCLASSMAPPING_ILLEGAL_SUBCLASS( "Class '%s' is not a subclass of '%s'." ),
     SUBCLASSMAPPING_NO_VALID_SUPERCLASS( "Could not find a parameter that is a superclass for '%s'." ),
     SUBCLASSMAPPING_UPDATE_METHODS_NOT_SUPPORTED( "SubclassMapping annotation can not be used for update methods." ),
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a6cbba2cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.java
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright MapStruct Authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License version 2.0, available at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ */
+package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping;
+
+import org.mapstruct.InheritInverseConfiguration;
+import org.mapstruct.Mapper;
+import org.mapstruct.Mapping;
+import org.mapstruct.SubclassMapping;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Bike;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Car;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Vehicle;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.VehicleDto;
+import org.mapstruct.factory.Mappers;
+
+@Mapper
+public interface ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper {
+    ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper INSTANCE = Mappers.getMapper( ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.class );
+
+    @SubclassMapping( source = Bike.class, target = VehicleDto.class )
+    @SubclassMapping( source = Car.class, target = VehicleDto.class )
+    @Mapping( target = "maker", source = "vehicleManufacturingCompany" )
+    VehicleDto map(Vehicle vehicle);
+
+    @InheritInverseConfiguration
+    Vehicle mapInverse(VehicleDto dto);
+}
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/InverseOrderSubclassMapper.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/InverseOrderSubclassMapper.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..302c03648
--- /dev/null
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/InverseOrderSubclassMapper.java
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright MapStruct Authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License version 2.0, available at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ */
+package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping;
+
+import org.mapstruct.InheritInverseConfiguration;
+import org.mapstruct.Mapper;
+import org.mapstruct.Mapping;
+import org.mapstruct.SubclassMapping;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Bike;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.BikeDto;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Car;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.CarDto;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.HatchBack;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Vehicle;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.VehicleCollection;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.VehicleCollectionDto;
+import org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.VehicleDto;
+import org.mapstruct.factory.Mappers;
+
+@Mapper
+public interface InverseOrderSubclassMapper {
+    InverseOrderSubclassMapper INSTANCE = Mappers.getMapper( InverseOrderSubclassMapper.class );
+
+    VehicleCollectionDto map(VehicleCollection vehicles);
+
+    @SubclassMapping( source = HatchBack.class, target = CarDto.class )
+    @SubclassMapping( source = Car.class, target = CarDto.class )
+    @SubclassMapping( source = Bike.class, target = BikeDto.class )
+    @Mapping( source = "vehicleManufacturingCompany", target = "maker")
+    VehicleDto map(Vehicle vehicle);
+
+    VehicleCollection mapInverse(VehicleCollectionDto vehicles);
+
+    @SubclassMapping( source = CarDto.class, target = Car.class )
+    @InheritInverseConfiguration
+    Vehicle mapInverse(VehicleDto dto);
+}
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SimpleSubclassMapper.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SimpleSubclassMapper.java
index eb7179786..6fedf2c57 100644
--- a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SimpleSubclassMapper.java
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SimpleSubclassMapper.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
  */
 package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping;
 
+import org.mapstruct.InheritInverseConfiguration;
 import org.mapstruct.Mapper;
 import org.mapstruct.Mapping;
 import org.mapstruct.SubclassMapping;
@@ -28,4 +29,9 @@ public interface SimpleSubclassMapper {
     @SubclassMapping( source = Bike.class, target = BikeDto.class )
     @Mapping( source = "vehicleManufacturingCompany", target = "maker")
     VehicleDto map(Vehicle vehicle);
+
+    VehicleCollection mapInverse(VehicleCollectionDto vehicles);
+
+    @InheritInverseConfiguration
+    Vehicle mapInverse(VehicleDto dto);
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SubclassMappingTest.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SubclassMappingTest.java
index e5a77b56d..7df555ecc 100644
--- a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SubclassMappingTest.java
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/SubclassMappingTest.java
@@ -34,12 +34,11 @@ import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
     VehicleCollectionDto.class,
     Vehicle.class,
     VehicleDto.class,
-    SimpleSubclassMapper.class,
-    SubclassMapperUsingExistingMappings.class,
 })
 public class SubclassMappingTest {
 
     @ProcessorTest
+    @WithClasses( SimpleSubclassMapper.class )
     void mappingIsDoneUsingSubclassMapping() {
         VehicleCollection vehicles = new VehicleCollection();
         vehicles.getVehicles().add( new Car() );
@@ -54,6 +53,22 @@ public class SubclassMappingTest {
     }
 
     @ProcessorTest
+    @WithClasses( SimpleSubclassMapper.class )
+    void inverseMappingIsDoneUsingSubclassMapping() {
+        VehicleCollectionDto vehicles = new VehicleCollectionDto();
+        vehicles.getVehicles().add( new CarDto() );
+        vehicles.getVehicles().add( new BikeDto() );
+
+        VehicleCollection result = SimpleSubclassMapper.INSTANCE.mapInverse( vehicles );
+
+        assertThat( result.getVehicles() ).doesNotContainNull();
+        assertThat( result.getVehicles() ) // remove generic so that test works.
+            .extracting( vehicle -> (Class) vehicle.getClass() )
+            .containsExactly( Car.class, Bike.class );
+    }
+
+    @ProcessorTest
+    @WithClasses( SubclassMapperUsingExistingMappings.class )
     void existingMappingsAreUsedWhenFound() {
         VehicleCollection vehicles = new VehicleCollection();
         vehicles.getVehicles().add( new Car() );
@@ -66,19 +81,38 @@ public class SubclassMappingTest {
     }
 
     @ProcessorTest
-    void subclassMappingInheritsMapping() {
-        VehicleCollection vehicles = new VehicleCollection();
-        Car car = new Car();
-        car.setVehicleManufacturingCompany( "BenZ" );
-        vehicles.getVehicles().add( car );
+    @WithClasses( SimpleSubclassMapper.class )
+    void subclassMappingInheritsInverseMapping() {
+        VehicleCollectionDto vehiclesDto = new VehicleCollectionDto();
+        CarDto carDto = new CarDto();
+        carDto.setMaker( "BenZ" );
+        vehiclesDto.getVehicles().add( carDto );
 
-        VehicleCollectionDto result = SimpleSubclassMapper.INSTANCE.map( vehicles );
+        VehicleCollection result = SimpleSubclassMapper.INSTANCE.mapInverse( vehiclesDto );
 
         assertThat( result.getVehicles() )
-            .extracting( VehicleDto::getMaker )
+            .extracting( Vehicle::getVehicleManufacturingCompany )
             .containsExactly( "BenZ" );
     }
 
+    @ProcessorTest
+    @WithClasses( {
+        HatchBack.class,
+        InverseOrderSubclassMapper.class
+    } )
+    void subclassMappingOverridesInverseInheritsMapping() {
+        VehicleCollectionDto vehicleDtos = new VehicleCollectionDto();
+        CarDto carDto = new CarDto();
+        carDto.setMaker( "BenZ" );
+        vehicleDtos.getVehicles().add( carDto );
+
+        VehicleCollection result = InverseOrderSubclassMapper.INSTANCE.mapInverse( vehicleDtos );
+
+        assertThat( result.getVehicles() ) // remove generic so that test works.
+            .extracting( vehicle -> (Class) vehicle.getClass() )
+            .containsExactly( Car.class );
+    }
+
     @ProcessorTest
     @WithClasses({
         HatchBack.class,
@@ -91,11 +125,11 @@ public class SubclassMappingTest {
             line = 28,
             alternativeLine = 30,
             message = "SubclassMapping annotation for "
-                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.HatchBackDto' found after "
-                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.CarDto', but all "
-                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.HatchBackDto' "
+                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.HatchBack' found after "
+                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Car', but all "
+                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.HatchBack' "
                 + "objects are also instances of "
-                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.CarDto'.")
+                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.Car'.")
     })
     void subclassOrderWarning() {
     }
@@ -136,4 +170,18 @@ public class SubclassMappingTest {
     })
     void erroneousMethodWithSourceTargetType() {
     }
+
+    @ProcessorTest
+    @WithClasses({ ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.class })
+    @ExpectedCompilationOutcome( value = CompilationResult.FAILED, diagnostics = {
+        @Diagnostic(type = ErroneousInverseSubclassMapper.class,
+            kind = javax.tools.Diagnostic.Kind.ERROR,
+            line = 28,
+            message = "Subclass "
+                + "'org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.mappables.VehicleDto'"
+                + " is already defined as a source."
+        )
+    })
+    void inverseSubclassMappingNotPossible() {
+    }
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceOverride.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceOverride.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..97b9079e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceOverride.java
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright MapStruct Authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License version 2.0, available at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ */
+package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.fixture;
+
+public class SubSourceOverride extends ImplementedParentSource implements InterfaceParentSource {
+    private final String finalValue;
+
+    public SubSourceOverride(String finalValue) {
+        this.finalValue = finalValue;
+    }
+
+    public String getFinalValue() {
+        return finalValue;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceSeparate.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceSeparate.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ccae04eff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubSourceSeparate.java
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright MapStruct Authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License version 2.0, available at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ */
+package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.fixture;
+
+public class SubSourceSeparate extends ImplementedParentSource implements InterfaceParentSource {
+    private final String separateValue;
+
+    public SubSourceSeparate(String separateValue) {
+        this.separateValue = separateValue;
+    }
+
+    public String getSeparateValue() {
+        return separateValue;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubTargetSeparate.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubTargetSeparate.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6b98c2410
--- /dev/null
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubTargetSeparate.java
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright MapStruct Authors.
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License version 2.0, available at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ */
+package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.fixture;
+
+public class SubTargetSeparate extends ImplementedParentTarget implements InterfaceParentTarget {
+    private final String separateValue;
+
+    public SubTargetSeparate(String separateValue) {
+        this.separateValue = separateValue;
+    }
+
+    public String getSeparateValue() {
+        return separateValue;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapper.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapper.java
index 8ef7908c3..c50afb9e5 100644
--- a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapper.java
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapper.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.fixture;
 
 import org.mapstruct.BeanMapping;
+import org.mapstruct.InheritInverseConfiguration;
 import org.mapstruct.Mapper;
 import org.mapstruct.SubclassMapping;
 
@@ -18,4 +19,9 @@ public interface SubclassAbstractMapper {
     @SubclassMapping( source = SubSource.class, target = SubTarget.class )
     @SubclassMapping( source = SubSourceOther.class, target = SubTargetOther.class )
     AbstractParentTarget map(AbstractParentSource item);
+
+    @SubclassMapping( source = SubTargetSeparate.class, target = SubSourceSeparate.class )
+    @InheritInverseConfiguration
+    @SubclassMapping( source = SubTargetOther.class, target = SubSourceOverride.class )
+    AbstractParentSource map(AbstractParentTarget item);
 }
diff --git a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassFixtureTest.java b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassFixtureTest.java
index 14dc16d4a..9bc72942e 100644
--- a/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassFixtureTest.java
+++ b/processor/src/test/java/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassFixtureTest.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 package org.mapstruct.ap.test.subclassmapping.fixture;
 
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.extension.RegisterExtension;
+
 import org.mapstruct.ap.testutil.ProcessorTest;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.testutil.WithClasses;
 import org.mapstruct.ap.testutil.runner.GeneratedSource;
@@ -37,6 +38,9 @@ public class SubclassFixtureTest {
 
     @ProcessorTest
     @WithClasses( {
+        SubSourceOverride.class,
+        SubSourceSeparate.class,
+        SubTargetSeparate.class,
         SubclassAbstractMapper.class,
     } )
     void subclassAbstractParentFixture() {
diff --git a/processor/src/test/resources/fixtures/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapperImpl.java b/processor/src/test/resources/fixtures/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapperImpl.java
index 6deed338c..a66b646f1 100644
--- a/processor/src/test/resources/fixtures/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapperImpl.java
+++ b/processor/src/test/resources/fixtures/org/mapstruct/ap/test/subclassmapping/fixture/SubclassAbstractMapperImpl.java
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import javax.annotation.processing.Generated;
 
 @Generated(
     value = "org.mapstruct.ap.MappingProcessor",
-    date = "2021-09-12T14:37:10+0200",
+    date = "2022-01-31T19:35:15+0100",
     comments = "version: , compiler: Eclipse JDT (Batch) 3.20.0.v20191203-2131, environment: Java 11.0.12 (Azul Systems, Inc.)"
 )
 public class SubclassAbstractMapperImpl implements SubclassAbstractMapper {
@@ -31,6 +31,26 @@ public class SubclassAbstractMapperImpl implements SubclassAbstractMapper {
         }
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public AbstractParentSource map(AbstractParentTarget item) {
+        if ( item == null ) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        if (item instanceof SubTargetSeparate) {
+            return subTargetSeparateToSubSourceSeparate( (SubTargetSeparate) item );
+        }
+        else if (item instanceof SubTargetOther) {
+            return subTargetOtherToSubSourceOverride( (SubTargetOther) item );
+        }
+        else if (item instanceof SubTarget) {
+            return subTargetToSubSource( (SubTarget) item );
+        }
+        else {
+            throw new IllegalArgumentException("Not all subclasses are supported for this mapping. Missing for " + item.getClass());
+        }
+    }
+
     protected SubTarget subSourceToSubTarget(SubSource subSource) {
         if ( subSource == null ) {
             return null;
@@ -56,4 +76,44 @@ public class SubclassAbstractMapperImpl implements SubclassAbstractMapper {
 
         return subTargetOther;
     }
+
+    protected SubSourceSeparate subTargetSeparateToSubSourceSeparate(SubTargetSeparate subTargetSeparate) {
+        if ( subTargetSeparate == null ) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        String separateValue = null;
+
+        separateValue = subTargetSeparate.getSeparateValue();
+
+        SubSourceSeparate subSourceSeparate = new SubSourceSeparate( separateValue );
+
+        return subSourceSeparate;
+    }
+
+    protected SubSourceOverride subTargetOtherToSubSourceOverride(SubTargetOther subTargetOther) {
+        if ( subTargetOther == null ) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        String finalValue = null;
+
+        finalValue = subTargetOther.getFinalValue();
+
+        SubSourceOverride subSourceOverride = new SubSourceOverride( finalValue );
+
+        return subSourceOverride;
+    }
+
+    protected SubSource subTargetToSubSource(SubTarget subTarget) {
+        if ( subTarget == null ) {
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        SubSource subSource = new SubSource();
+
+        subSource.setValue( subTarget.getValue() );
+
+        return subSource;
+    }
 }