NHTSA Data Explorer

Subaru WRX STI

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Subaru WRX STI.

Complaints

250

Active records

Recalls

5

Active records

TSBs

727

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

14

Crashes

18

Fires

6

Top reported issues — Subaru WRX STI

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

83

Operating state

72

Engine behavior

43

Noise

34

Electrical issue

33

Performance issue

31

Reporting mechanism

27

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

24

Driver assistance issue

18

Safety restraint issue

18

Thermal issue

18

Steering behavior

17

Fluid issue

16

Lighting behavior

16

Safety restraint behavior

12

Infotainment behavior

11

Starting behavior

10

Smell

9

Braking behavior

7

Powering on/off behavior

7

Ride/handling behavior

5

Access/entry issue

4

Vibration/harshness

3

Wiper/washer behavior

3

Recent change

2

Communication/network issue

1

HVAC behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2018 SUBARU WRX

Filed Oct 2, 2026


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 pop, sudden loss of power, and smoke from the engine bay. I was able to get the vehicle stopped safely. I do not recall a warning light or message before the failure. The vehicle was towed to an…

2018 SUBARU WRX

Filed Jul 1, 2026


Refused to change the rear catalyst due to a modification. I said I would return it back to the original factory tune and they said it was impossible and refused to do it. The tune physically wouldn’t stop them from changing the catalytic converter. They said that the ecu would let them. I can put the factory CID on the vehicle for the work to be done. The catalyst threshold is below efficiency and it’s their mistake. This is now going to cost me out of pocket which is not fair. Again this…

2019 SUBARU WRX

Filed Jun 22, 2026


The contact owns a 2019 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that the driver's-side rear rim spoke was cracked in two pieces. The contact stated that new tires were installed on the vehicle. The contact replaced the tire with the spare. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the rim was replaced. The dealer indicated that the owner had damaged the rim. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately…

2018 SUBARU WRX

Filed Jun 6, 2026


Subaru Orange Coast and Ocean Subaru of Fullerton refused to work on my recall due to my car has aftermarket parts not related to the recall. The dealership is very keen in extorting money to the naïve customers instead of fixing the safety issue with my car.

2019 SUBARU WRX

Filed Jun 4, 2026


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 running dry without checking oil levels every week or so and carrying extra emergency oil. This is a huge safety risk and given the proliferation of this issue across subaru vehicles and the CVT it needs…

2021 SUBARU WRX

Filed May 26, 2026


Car battery keeps dying and is inadequately charged resulting in loss of electronics. The problem is a faulty DCM system.

2017 SUBARU WRX

Filed May 6, 2026


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 much different story.

2019 SUBARU WRX

Filed Apr 22, 2026


fuel pump cut off intermeeting mager loss off power tech at subaru refuse to repair car has 72000 miles on well manetane

2017 SUBARU WRX

Filed Apr 9, 2026


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 checked and maintenance at the dealer less then a week prior for a small misfire then was dismissed due to car all the sudden running fine so I drove it 100 miles then it died and almost killed me…

2018 SUBARU WRX

Filed Feb 17, 2026


2/17/2026 Mileage 96,000 Subaru case number Case # 260217-2101937 Vehicle intermittently indicates reverse gear while driving forward at speed. Backup camera activates and reverse lights illuminate while in forward motion. This condition matches NHTSA Recall 22V-522000. The recall repair was previously performed but the safety defect persists. Manufacturer was contacted and declined further repair despite active safety condition.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.