2018 Subaru WRX Engine Problems

Oil changes always done, no modifications to vehicle. Driving down road lights all come one and car starts smoking. Rod broke and put hole in engine.

NHTSA ID

11683233

Incident

Aug 5, 2025

I have been experiencing a strong fuel odor both inside and outside the cabin when starting the engine. After several months of experiencing this issue, I recently had my vehicle fully inspected by an authorized Subaru dealership, and they confirmed a critical fuel leak issue. The dealership discovered that the high-pressure fuel pipe is leaking, as confirmed by a camera inspection of the engine bay. They have deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive and have strongly advised against further use due to the potential fire hazard. It is important to note that my vehicle has never been involved in an accident, and no prior mechanical work has been performed in the affected area, which suggests this may be a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ID

11648026

Incident

Mar 7, 2025

I bought a 2018 Subaru WRX with 61,000 miles, After driving it 6,000 miles with engine spun a rod bearing, requiring a complete engine replacement. This is a vehicle that in the previous 4th generation of the car, it was recalled for this exact issue. the total repair bill for this fix is $11,720.43. This is on a car with 67,000 miles. 7,000 miles over Subaru's manufacture warranty. After speaking with a few service advisors at Subaru. it is my belief, that this is a known issue with this model.

NHTSA ID

11604876

Incident

Jul 23, 2024

Engine rod knock at 32,000 miles due to bearing failure causing loss of control of vehicle and sudden loss of power and control. Car was logged to be traveling at 35 mph with normal acceleration at time of failure. Carter Subaru confirmed bearing failure, and fits with the pattern confirmed in 2012-2017 WRX STi engine failure class action settlement, as part in 2018 remains unchanged from 2017 according to mechanics. Head mechanic at dealership confirmed that only car modification (intake) would not cause catastrophic loss of oil leading to bearing failure, and thus it is likely due to engine design that leads to poor oil circulation as a known issue in this EJ25 engine type. Engine components have been inspected by Carter Subaru, and have been made available to Subaru of America, along with images, videos, pictures, receipts, logs, records, computer/ECU data, receipts, tool purchases, and other maintenance and service logs for the car (including prior to ownership). Dealership acknowledges that the car maintenance exceeded the manufacturer recommendation, yet engine still failed even with oil changes done at 3,000 mile intervals... While manual states much higher interval to follow. Engine still failed at increased oil change levels. Problem appeared once engine started knocking, which means the engine has already suffered irreversible engine failure and needs to be replaced, according to Subaru. Subaru of America assigned a customer advocate but has been incommunicado for the duration of the investigation and refuses to answer or even acknowledge that a claim has been opened, as they constantly cite erroneous interactions with the vehicle owner.

NHTSA ID

11579828

Incident

Mar 12, 2024

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED. DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ID

11564803

Incident

Dec 24, 2023

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED. DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ID

11564630

Incident

Dec 24, 2023

Mileage

41,573 mi

Engine Failure rod bearing failure is extremely common. Can leave motorist in danger being stranded on the road. Subaru of America has inspected the engine but claims they are at not fault and refuse to assist. Investigate online how common the motor failure on a fa20dit motor is. I can tell you many owners who are on their 2nd to 3rd motor. This is extremely dangerous and I hope there is a resolution.

NHTSA ID

11564282

Incident

Nov 28, 2023

WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 SUBARU WRX PREMIUM IN THE HEAT WITH THE A/C ON IT IS CAUSING EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH THE CAR STUTTERING CAUSING FLUCTUATION IN SPEED WITH THE CAR DRAGGING THEN PROPELLING DRAMATICALLY DUE TO THE TURBO ENGAGING. THE ERRATIC CHANGE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CAR IS NOT NORMAL AND IS CAUSE FOR ATTENTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THIS PULLED SUCH AN EXTREME DRAIN ON THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND COOLING SYSTEM IT ALMOST MADE MY CAR OVERHEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. MY CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN RESPONSIBLY. I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAGGIC SITUATION AS THE FREEWAYS HERE IN CALIFORNIA ARE VERY UNFORGIVING.

NHTSA ID

11354086

Incident

Sep 6, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ADVISING CYLINDER MISFIRE ADVISING RINGLAND OISTON FAILURE SPARKNPLUG DESTROYED

NHTSA ID

11203037

Incident

Apr 17, 2019

Mileage

9,000 mi

VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 7387 MILES. WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INCLUDING TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS, HILL DECENT ASSIST, CRUISE CONTROL ICON FLASHING. VEHICLE POWER WAS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED. MADE APPOINTMENT NEXT DAY WITH SUBARU DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED CODE P0016 SHOWED UP ON THE DIAGNOSIS. IT INDICATED CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK 1 SENSOR A. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP FOR CLOSE TO TWO WEEKS. NUMEROUS PARTS WERE REPLACED INCLUDING OIL VALVE ASSEMBLY, CAMSHAFT SPROCKET ASSEMBLY, ECU CONTROL UNIT, GUIDE CHAINS, CHAIN LEVER, ETC. I HAVE INVOICE FROM DEALERSHIP DETAILING ALL PARTS REPLACED. ALTHOUGH COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH UNDER 8000 SHOULDN'T ENCOUNTER THESE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11154864

Incident

May 6, 2018

Mileage

7,224 mi

THIS ISSUE OCCURS ON ACCELERATION , MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN MERGING ONTO FREEWAY FROM ON RAMP 1/2 THROTTLE , THE VEHICLE STARTS TO ACCELERATE NORMAL THEN HITS AROUND 4200 RPM AND THE BOOST GAUGE GOES NUTS FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN AND THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER , HESITATES , SURGES ( LIKE A FLAT SPOT ) THEN FINALLY GETS A LITTLE HIGHER IN RPM AND IT WILL PICK UP AGAIN THROUGH THE REST OF RPM GAUGE , MOST NOTICEABLE IN LOWER GEARS ( MINES A 6 SPEED MANUAL , I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER ON 5/30/18 WITH 1380 MILES ON THE ODOMETER , HUFFINES SUBARU DENTON TEXAS , TONY THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE MY CAR AND DUPLICATED THE COMPLAINT , HE THEN PROCEEDED TO GET ANOTHER NEW WRX OFF THE LOT SIMILAR TO MINE AND AGAIN DUPLICATED THE COMPLAINT ( SO THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ) THE DEALER CLAIMS ITS JUST A DESIGN IN THE CAR , ITS VERY UNSAFE AS YOU THINK YOU WILL GET UP TO SPEED AND THEN IT HESITATES WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT , THE DEALER DID SAY THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE WITH SUBARU TECHLINE WHICH THEY DID NOT , SO I CALLED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT , THEY CALL BACK 2 DAYS LATER AND TELL ME WE SPOKE TO DEALER NOTHING WE CAN DO , SO I PROCEEDED TO DO AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE ON 17-18 WRX MODELS , I CURRENTLY HAVE 2006 MILES ON THE CAR AND ITS STILL DOING THIS , NOT SURE IF ITS A DRIVE BY WIRE , THROTTLE MAP ISSUE OR A FLAW IN THE FACTORY TUNING CAUSING THIS BUT IT NEEDS TO TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED , VEHICLE GIVES FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ON ACCELLERATION .

NHTSA ID

11104249

Incident

May 30, 2018

Mileage

1,750 mi