Subaru WRX Engine Problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Subaru WRX across 20 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (18). The words owners use most often: “oil pickup” (9% of reports).
- 106engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil pickup: mentioned in 10 of 106 complaints (9%)
- Rod bearing: mentioned in 8 of 106 complaints (8%)
- Short block: mentioned in 7 of 106 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 51 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 106 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire.
Subaru WRX engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 WRX | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2023 WRX | 2 | 25% | — |
| 2022 WRX | 15 | 60% | — |
| 2021 WRX | 5 | 38% | — |
| 2020 WRX | 3 | 18% | 30,000 |
| 2019 WRX | 11 | 37% | 39,500 |
| 2018 WRX | 12 | 28% | 9,000 |
| 2017 WRX | 12 | 23% | 26,000 |
| 2016 WRX | 8 | 26% | 32,000 |
| 2015 WRX | 18 | 35% | 86,000 |
| 2014 WRX | 2 | 33% | 29,500 |
| 2013 WRX | 1 | 14% | 29,500 |
| 2012 WRX | 1 | 50% | 56,000 |
| 2011 WRX | 1 | 25% | 97,000 |
| 2009 WRX | 4 | 10% | 75,144 |
| 2008 WRX | 2 | 3% | 90,000 |
| 2006 WRX | 2 | 14% | 114,571 |
| 2005 WRX | 2 | 11% | 145,500 |
| 2004 WRX | 2 | 5% | 209,000 |
| 2002 WRX | 2 | 0% | 151,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On June 24, 2026, my stock 2018 Subaru WRX Limited experienced a sudden catastrophic internal engine failure at approximately 67,319 miles while I was driving. I first heard an intermittent ticking/noise under acceleration. Within about two miles, the noise became much louder, followed by a loud…
The cam carriers for my vehicle are leaking oil. This is an incredible common, seemingly almost guaranteed, issue with these vehicles from Subaru at the 75-90k mile mark. The carrier are dripping oil, so worse than seeping, but not pouring. This runs the risk of the engine bleeding oil fast and…
Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a…
fuel pump cut off intermeeting mager loss off power tech at subaru refuse to repair car has 72000 miles on well manetane
Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru WRXs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints about engine for the Subaru WRX. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru WRX engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Subaru WRX?
The most frequent phrase is “oil pickup”, in 10 of 106 complaints, followed by “rod bearing” (8).
Other Subaru WRX problems
See all Subaru WRX problems.