AI Damage2019 Subaru WRX: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Subaru WRX filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 291 service bulletins for this year. We found 3 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 291
- YouTube repair videos
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 47% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 37% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 3% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (47% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 172.
- Engine: 11 complaints (37% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 | 172 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 26 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 98 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound detected, and the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contacts that the repair was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
usually occurs while using carplay but has occurred without using the stereo. will happen back to back and cause the steering wheel to lock up at highway speeds, taking control of the vehicle away from me (driver). steering wheel has locked up several times when the car shuts off while driving.
I've had two fuel pumps replaced under warranty after the 2nd fuel pump failed hours after the Subaru dealership installed it. They installed the 3rd which worked until a week ago when my car stalled at a red light. The car would not start back up and it has since been diagnosed as a fuel issue.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,087 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 48% least complained about).
On average one model year of the WRX has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 30, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing…
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…
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 291 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru WRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), engine failure or replacement (13%), won't start (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA lists 291 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Subaru WRX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.