Subaru WRX STI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
32,058 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 31.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Structure:Body: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 5; 2019: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10779557 · 2015-10-04 (October 4, 2015)
THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH.
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10825283 · 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)
FIREWALL FLEXES AFTER REPEATED USE OF CLUTCH, BREAKING SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL AND RENDERING CLUTCH USELESS. IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IF IN GEAR, CAR WILL NOT STOP. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT WHILE EXITING PARKING SPACE FROM PARKED POSITION. TEMPORARY REPAIR COST IS ROUGHLY $400 (OVER $1000 FOR PERMANENT FIX AND RE-WELD OF FIREWALL).
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10825283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11223011 · 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THREE OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. MY CRUISE CONTROL STARTED BLINKING AND ANOTHER LIGHT WHICH MEANT I WASN'T ABLE TO USE IT OR SWITCH MY CAR INTO SPORT MODE. THESE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALERS AND TRIED TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR PUMP RUSTING AND GETTING STUCK EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED. THE DEALERS QUOTED ME ANYWHERE FROM 2000-3500 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND FOR THAT ENTIRE TIME THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS EM…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151074 · 2018-11-12 (November 12, 2018)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH, HEARD A NOISE, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP, BROUGHT TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO LACK OF OIL, GOT THE CAR BACK WITH THE ENGINE IN PIECES, FOUND THE PISTON OUT OF CYLINDER 2 AND PARTS OF THE RING LANDS WERE CRACKED OR MISSING. SUBARU REFUSED TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AN ISSUE WITH AN ENGINE COMPONENT BLAMING ME FOR NOT CHECKING THE OIL EVERY FILL UP WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND CHECKED IT ON A WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY BASIS.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014520 · 2017-08-10 (August 10, 2017)
SUBARU IS DENYING ME WARRANTY WORKS OF MY ENGINE'S PISTON RINGLAND FAILURE THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE 60,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND BLAMING IT ON MODIFICATIONS. THE ONLY MODIFICATIONS THAT I HAVE ON THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -TOMEI CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM -BEATRUSH MOTOR MOUNTS -BEATRUSH TRANSMISSION MOUNT -BEATRUSH PITCHSTOP MOUNT. -CSF RADIATOR -IAG AIR OIL SEPARATOR NONE OF THE ABOVE MODIFICATIONS CHANGE THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR OR CAN HAVE ANY AFFECT ON THE PISTONS TO CAUSE FAILURE. MOST OF THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ON MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11084866 · 2018-04-13 (April 13, 2018)
WHILE DRIVING ON 1-95 THE CAR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT HAD A ENGINE KNOCK AND WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084866 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 0; 2016: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 0