2019 Subaru WRX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
27,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 30 complaints (46.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 30.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 16.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Electrical System: 14; Engine: 11; Unknown Or Other: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Air Bags: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Seats: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 20 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 6; 2022: 9; 2023: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11268703 · 2019-10-15 (October 15, 2019)
VERY SIMILAR ISSUES DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS ENGINE FAILURES REPORTED. NEW CAR, OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, SERVICED ON FREQUENT. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD CLUNKY NOISE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. 7 WEEKS LATER STILL AT SUBARU AND DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE BUT NOT STARTED TO SAY IT WAS DRIVER FAULT?
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316531 · 2020-03-06 (March 6, 2020)
SMALL GLASS CHIP DEFECT OCCURRED IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE WAS ISOLATED IN THE PARKING LOT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER VEHICLES NEAR IT. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE WINDSHIELD TEMPER OR COMPOSITION MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND EASILY PROPOGATED A DEFECT ON THE WAY TO THE PARKING LOT. THE WAY THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED/DEVELOPED THE SMALL CRACK WOULD HAVE HAD TO OCCUR WITH EASE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW (350 MILES) AND HAD NO INTERACTIONS WIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11340581 · 2020-07-21 (July 21, 2020)
THE SCREEN FREAKS OUT. IT FREEZES, JACKS UP THE VOLUME SOMETIMES AND JUST FEELS LIKE THE SCREEN HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT GOES BLACK SOMETIMES BUT OVERALL JUST FREEZING. ITS REALLY ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING WHEN THE VOLUME STARTS BLARING OR DECIDES TO NOT LET YOU LISTEN TO IT AT ALL. IT'S USUALLY WHEN ITS IN MOTION. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I HAVE NOT NOTICED A PATTERN AS TO WHEN THE FAULTS HAPPEN.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375389 · 2020-11-19 (November 19, 2020)
THE VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AS I BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACH A ROLLING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 4 LANE HIGHWAY. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY A MINUTE I MANAGED ENGAGE THE ENGINE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD TO REACH THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. THERE WERE NO INDICATORS OR WARNING LIGHTS ON. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE ENGINE WITH NO SUCCESS SO I CALLED FOR SERVICE. AFTER WAITING FOR 30 MINUTES…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11387010 · 2021-01-07 (January 7, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE TOP WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF WICHITA (11610 E KELLOGG DR N, WICHITA, KS 67207; [phone removed]) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A STONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416750 · 2021-05-15 (May 15, 2021)
THE BATTEREY DRAINS WITHIN A WEEK IF THE VEHICLE ISNT DRIVEN
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421901 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
UNKNOWN - Car will occasionally not shift into 2nd gear, and will be able to engage every other gear other than second.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424522 · 2021-07-12 (July 12, 2021)
I was an hour into a 5-hour trip. I stopped the vehicle at a interstate rest area. I then went to start the car again after 5 minutes or so, and it would not start. After getting a jump start, I drove back to my dealership, and they informed me I needed to replace my battery. This vehicle is only 2 years old. I paid for a new battery.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424522 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V522000 · Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:Switch
Reported: 2022-07-21 (July 21, 2022)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
NHTSA campaign record ↗