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2019 Subaru WRX
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Subaru WRX, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 361 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 9 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 12 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 13 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 15 |
| Sep 2022 | 2 | 17 |
| Nov 2022 | 2 | 19 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 20 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 22 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 23 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 24 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 25 |
| Jan 2026 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 28 |
| Jun 2026 | 2 | 30 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1437.8%
- Engine1129.7%
- Fuel system38.1%
- Powertrain (other)25.4%
- Visibility25.4%
- Other / unspecified12.7%
- Interior & seats12.7%
- Airbags12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 45,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11745540
- Incident
- Jun 10, 2026
- Mileage
- 45,000 mi
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 to be addressed by SOA. There are no warning lights for this issue and this would not have been caught if I hadn't gone to the dealership for a general car inspection as I suspected something may be wrong. The problem has been reproduced at other shops/dealerships and is a very common almost guaranteed issue with these vehicles.
- NHTSA ID
- 11742031
- Incident
- Jun 4, 2026
fuel pump cut off intermeeting mager loss off power tech at subaru refuse to repair car has 72000 miles on well manetane
- NHTSA ID
- 11733161
- Incident
- Apr 2, 2026
I'm driving down the road and unexpectedly the power steering completely goes out and the car is almost impossible to steer. When I shut the car off it usually resets sometimes for only a couple seconds, sometimes longer before the power steering fails again. It has happened in the middle of multiple turns, highways driving, city driving and is very dangerous. If you look online it is a very common issue amongst other Subaru models with the same steering system, as well as the wrx but not for my year. If you look online you will see multiple people complaining about it. Messaged Subaru and they said they weren't concerned with the safety issue, they were only concerned about it not being covered under warranty anymore. I did take it to a Subaru dealership and they even said it was very common and didn't even really look at the car to diagnose and its around 3000 to repair. This is going to cause an accident at some point if not in my car someone else's. It doesn't matter either what speeds you are going if it happens. It has happened multiple different days so I'm only putting today in since it happened today as well.
- NHTSA ID
- 11715651
- Incident
- Feb 4, 2026
At 77,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a major failure where the #2 connecting rod and piston were destroyed, requiring a short block replacement. This repair was performed by Autonation West Subaru in Golden, Colorado and was covered under the SAS gold plan, certified pre-owned 7yr/100,00mi. warranty purchased with the vehicle. According to the technician's report at that time, the failure was so violent it cracked the engine block and contaminated the entire oiling system with metal shrapnel. A short 18,000 miles after receiving the vehicle back at 95,335 miles the clutch went out, needing to be replaced. Keep in mind that this clutch had recently been replaced at 35,757mi. by this same dealership who at the time charged me $900 even though I had just bought the car in July of 2021 with 22,000mi on it. Now, I am at 128,000 miles—only 50,000 miles after the dealership repair—and the engine has failed again. Fortunately, just as I was pulling up to my friend's house, it stalled with an engine code of p0171 present and several dash lights illuminated. And all I've gotten it to do is crank but not start, since early September. In October I had it towed to Subie Smith in Thornton, Colorado. Who did an inspection and compression test, reporting low compression in 2 of the 4 cylinders. And recommended a full engine replacement, either used or new. I don't have the means to afford an engine replacement now out of warranty.
- NHTSA ID
- 11712991
- Incident
- Sep 7, 2025
There is what looks to be water spots inside the radio screen causing the radio to malfunction. After reading online this is happening to many cars my same year and the website mentioned a recall for this issue. I have less than 60,000 miles on my car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11634458
- Incident
- Dec 9, 2024
With 61,700 miles on the car the engine lost a rod bearing going around a sharp corner on and off ramp of interstate highway. If failure had caused block to crack or break it would have put oil down on the highway and would of caused loss of control of the car. From research done online it seems sharp corners cause engine catastrophic failure. Car is currently at Subaru dealership. Subaru will not do anything about the issue. Vehicle had fresh oil change 2 days before failure with no noise or warning before failure.
- NHTSA ID
- 11613050
- Incident
- Aug 26, 2024
Mid-Drive the Airbag (SRS) light came on indicating here was a fault in the system. After some diagnostic testing it was determined that there was a fault in the Occupant detection system causing the vehicle to not activate the airbag regardless of the fact that someone was sitting in the seat. The issue was present in same type of seats (heated) that were previously recalled shortly before this vehicle was produced.
- NHTSA ID
- 11600704
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
ENGINE
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers).
POWER TRAIN
This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 37.5 |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2021 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 35.5 |
| 2020 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 42.4 |
| 2019Viewing | 30 | 2 | 0 | 47.7 |
| 2018 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 57.6 |
| 2017 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2016 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 46.1 |
| 2015 | 52 | 3 | 0 | 44.0 |
| 2014 | 6 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 11 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 12 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 4 | 11 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 12 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 41 | 10 | 0 | 44.8 |
| 2008 | 65 | 7 | 0 | 44.9 |
| 2007 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 45.9 |
| 2005 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2004 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 54.4 |
| 2003 | 60 | 2 | 5 | 63.0 |
| 2002 | 427 | 2 | 5 | 58.4 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.