U.S. public vehicle records

Subaru WRX STI problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

19 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

32,058 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 to 2019 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 18 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	6	31.6%
Engine operation	2	10.5%
Transmission and shifting	1	5.3%
Steering behavior	1	5.3%

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.

Engine

Unknown Or Other

Structure:Body

Electrical System

Exterior Lighting

Service Brakes

Air Bags

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Structure:Body: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 1 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.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 5; 2019: 5

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10779557 · 2015-10-04 (October 4, 2015)

THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH.

Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10825283 · 2016-02-10 (February 10, 2016)

FIREWALL FLEXES AFTER REPEATED USE OF CLUTCH, BREAKING SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL AND RENDERING CLUTCH USELESS. IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IF IN GEAR, CAR WILL NOT STOP. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT WHILE EXITING PARKING SPACE FROM PARKED POSITION. TEMPORARY REPAIR COST IS ROUGHLY $400 (OVER $1000 FOR PERMANENT FIX AND RE-WELD OF FIREWALL).

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10825283 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11223011 · 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THREE OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. MY CRUISE CONTROL STARTED BLINKING AND ANOTHER LIGHT WHICH MEANT I WASN'T ABLE TO USE IT OR SWITCH MY CAR INTO SPORT MODE. THESE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALERS AND TRIED TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR PUMP RUSTING AND GETTING STUCK EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED. THE DEALERS QUOTED ME ANYWHERE FROM 2000-3500 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND FOR THAT ENTIRE TIME THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS EM…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11151074 · 2018-11-12 (November 12, 2018)

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH, HEARD A NOISE, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP, BROUGHT TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO LACK OF OIL, GOT THE CAR BACK WITH THE ENGINE IN PIECES, FOUND THE PISTON OUT OF CYLINDER 2 AND PARTS OF THE RING LANDS WERE CRACKED OR MISSING. SUBARU REFUSED TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AN ISSUE WITH AN ENGINE COMPONENT BLAMING ME FOR NOT CHECKING THE OIL EVERY FILL UP WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND CHECKED IT ON A WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY BASIS.

Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151074 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11014520 · 2017-08-10 (August 10, 2017)

SUBARU IS DENYING ME WARRANTY WORKS OF MY ENGINE'S PISTON RINGLAND FAILURE THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE 60,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND BLAMING IT ON MODIFICATIONS. THE ONLY MODIFICATIONS THAT I HAVE ON THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -TOMEI CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM -BEATRUSH MOTOR MOUNTS -BEATRUSH TRANSMISSION MOUNT -BEATRUSH PITCHSTOP MOUNT. -CSF RADIATOR -IAG AIR OIL SEPARATOR NONE OF THE ABOVE MODIFICATIONS CHANGE THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR OR CAN HAVE ANY AFFECT ON THE PISTONS TO CAUSE FAILURE. MOST OF THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ON MY…

Owner-reported narrative. 34,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014520 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11084866 · 2018-04-13 (April 13, 2018)

WHILE DRIVING ON 1-95 THE CAR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT HAD A ENGINE KNOCK AND WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084866 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2018

2019

2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 0; 2016: 0; 2018: 0; 2019: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Subaru WRX STI model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
2008	3	2	Not available
2009	2	2	0
2010	1	2	0
2011	1	2	0
2012	1	2	0
2013	2	2	0
2014	0	2	0
2015	3	0	-2
2016	3	0	0
2018	2	0	Not available
2019	1	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

19 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

94.7%Usable mileage18 / 19 records

100.0%Valid incident date19 / 19 records

100.0%Valid filing date19 / 19 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates19 / 19 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2018	2019
Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11084866 · 40,750 mi WHILE DRIVING ON 1-95 THE CAR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT HAD A ENGINE KNOCK AND WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY AND… Look up ODI 11084866 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	266.7% ODI 11014520 · 34,615 mi SUBARU IS DENYING ME WARRANTY WORKS OF MY ENGINE'S PISTON RINGLAND FAILURE THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE 60,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND BLAMING IT ON MODIFICATIONS. THE ONLY MODIFICATIONS THAT I HAVE ON THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -TOMEI CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM -BEATRUSH MOTOR MOUNTS -BEATRUSH TRANSMISSION MOUNT -BEATRUSH PITCHSTOP MOUNT. -CSF RADIATOR -IAG AIR OIL SEPARATOR NONE OF THE ABOVE MODIFICATIONS CHANGE THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR OR CAN HAVE ANY AFFECT ON THE PISTONS TO CAUSE FAILURE. MOST OF THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ON MY… Look up ODI 11014520 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 11124726 · 23,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU WRX STI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT, BUT NO SMOKE WAS PRESENT. THE ODOMETER GAUGE NEEDLE MOVED TO THE HOT INDICATOR. THE CONTACT WOULD TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SPURR SUBARU (6331 BROCKPORT SPENCERPORT RD, BROCKPORT, NY 14420, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT TH… Look up ODI 11124726 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11234792 · 3,100 mi STARTER WINDED (MISSED) ON STARTUP AND DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL NEXT ATTEMPTED VEHICLE STARTUP. Look up ODI 11234792 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	266.7% ODI 10825283 · 60,000 mi FIREWALL FLEXES AFTER REPEATED USE OF CLUTCH, BREAKING SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL AND RENDERING CLUTCH USELESS. IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IF IN GEAR, CAR WILL NOT STOP. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT WHILE EXITING PARKING SPACE FROM PARKED POSITION. TEMPORARY REPAIR COST IS ROUGHLY $400 (OVER $1000 FOR PERMANENT FIX AND RE-WELD OF FIREWALL). Look up ODI 10825283 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10724778 · 13,500 mi THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK USING THE SWITCHES ON THE DOORS, ELECTRIC OR MANUAL SWITCH! THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IS TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AND USE THE REMOTE. IF I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS UNCONSCIENCE, THIS WOULD TRAP ME IN THE CAR. Look up ODI 10724778 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11223011 · 60,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THREE OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. MY CRUISE CONTROL STARTED BLINKING AND ANOTHER LIGHT WHICH MEANT I WASN'T ABLE TO USE IT OR SWITCH MY CAR INTO SPORT MODE. THESE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALERS AND TRIED TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR PUMP RUSTING AND GETTING STUCK EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED. THE DEALERS QUOTED ME ANYWHERE FROM 2000-3500 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND FOR THAT ENTIRE TIME THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS EM… Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11181754 · 12,000 mi DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IN KEY FOB PRESS. WILL BEEP CONTINIOUSLY, ONE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN. ONLY AFFECTS MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. Look up ODI 11181754 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Structure:Body	133.3% ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 10904230 · 110,000 mi THE FIREWALL WELDS THAT SUPPORT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ARE MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN I RELEASE THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUED WITH THE 2008-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU WRX. I ALSO READ THAT THE FIREWALL CAN COMPLETELY BREAK FROM REPETITIVE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL USE AND IF IT WOULD BREAK I WOULD HAVE NO CLUTCH OR BRAKE PEDAL TO USE AND COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN AT A STOP OR MOVING AS LONG AS YOU HIT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IT POPS. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SINCE… Look up ODI 10904230 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10950419 · 24,000 mi WHEN PULLING THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE LEVER THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN. HAPPENED ONCE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO IT WAS EVERY OTHER TIME I NEEDED TO FILL UP. NOW IT'S EVERY SINGLE TIME. I FUEL UP EVERY 4-5 DAYS AND IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A HASSLE. I PICK UP MY WIFE FROM WORK SO THAT'S WHEN I DECIDE TO FUEL UP, SHE REACHES OVER AND PULLS THE LEVER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE I SLIP MY ID/DEBIT CARD THROUGH THE GAP TO POP OPEN THE FUEL DOOR OPEN. SOMETIMES THE DOOR POPS OPEN A BIT WHERE I CAN PULL IT OPEN WITH MY NAILS. IT NEVER FULLY O… Look up ODI 10950419 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11195301 · 96,000 mi WTM-73 I AM REPORTING AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED A WEEK AGO WITH MY 2010 SUBARU WRX STI. THIS AIR PUMP FAILED AND I LOOKED UP IF MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THIS SPECIFIC PART AND SUBARU SAID IT DID BUT IT FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED IN 2016 AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I AM BELIEVING THAT IT IMPROPERLY FIXED CAUSING IT TO FAIL ONCE AGAIN. I ALSO SPOKE TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THIS SITUATION. I AM IN DISBELIEF THAT THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE AND I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER WITH THIS PROBLEM D… Look up ODI 11195301 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11234792 · 3,100 mi STARTER WINDED (MISSED) ON STARTUP AND DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL NEXT ATTEMPTED VEHICLE STARTUP. Look up ODI 11234792 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11102221 · 29,500 mi OUT OF NOWHERE, THE INFORMATION SCREEN IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH DISPLAYED "HEADLIGHTS DISABLED" THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFFI FLICKED THE SWITCH ON AND OFF AND IT CAME BACK ON AND THEN ONLY ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND THE OTHER WAS OFF AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON. ONE HOUR LATER TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OK Look up ODI 11102221 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 11101674 · 11,000 mi THIS IS AN ISSUE REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS PART OF IT SEEMS TO BE MELTING FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TO ME CAN BE A SAFETY OR EVEN FIRE HAZARD. Look up ODI 11101674 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	133.3% ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11278304 · 28,028 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU WRX STI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 5-10 MPH, A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR T-BONED HIS VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT 60 FEET. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED YOUNG SUBARU (3920 RIVERDALE RD, OGDEN, UT 84405, [phone removed]) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W… Look up ODI 11278304 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine	23,000–40,750 mi	34,615 mi	5	ODI 11084866 · 40,750 mi WHILE DRIVING ON 1-95 THE CAR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL GOT VERY STIFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME, AND AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED IT HAD A ENGINE KNOCK AND WOULD NEED A NEW SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAULT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY AND… Look up ODI 11084866 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11014520 · 34,615 mi SUBARU IS DENYING ME WARRANTY WORKS OF MY ENGINE'S PISTON RINGLAND FAILURE THAT HAPPENED WITHIN THE 60,000 MILES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND BLAMING IT ON MODIFICATIONS. THE ONLY MODIFICATIONS THAT I HAVE ON THE CAR ARE THE FOLLOWING: -TOMEI CATBACK EXHAUST SYSTEM -BEATRUSH MOTOR MOUNTS -BEATRUSH TRANSMISSION MOUNT -BEATRUSH PITCHSTOP MOUNT. -CSF RADIATOR -IAG AIR OIL SEPARATOR NONE OF THE ABOVE MODIFICATIONS CHANGE THE SOFTWARE OF THE CAR OR CAN HAVE ANY AFFECT ON THE PISTONS TO CAUSE FAILURE. MOST OF THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN ON MY… Look up ODI 11014520 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11151074 · 42,000 mi DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 30MPH, HEARD A NOISE, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP, BROUGHT TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO LACK OF OIL, GOT THE CAR BACK WITH THE ENGINE IN PIECES, FOUND THE PISTON OUT OF CYLINDER 2 AND PARTS OF THE RING LANDS WERE CRACKED OR MISSING. SUBARU REFUSED TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AN ISSUE WITH AN ENGINE COMPONENT BLAMING ME FOR NOT CHECKING THE OIL EVERY FILL UP WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES AND CHECKED IT ON A WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY BASIS. Look up ODI 11151074 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	36,750 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10825283 · 60,000 mi FIREWALL FLEXES AFTER REPEATED USE OF CLUTCH, BREAKING SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL AND RENDERING CLUTCH USELESS. IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IF IN GEAR, CAR WILL NOT STOP. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT WHILE EXITING PARKING SPACE FROM PARKED POSITION. TEMPORARY REPAIR COST IS ROUGHLY $400 (OVER $1000 FOR PERMANENT FIX AND RE-WELD OF FIREWALL). Look up ODI 10825283 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10724778 · 13,500 mi THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK USING THE SWITCHES ON THE DOORS, ELECTRIC OR MANUAL SWITCH! THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS IS TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION AND USE THE REMOTE. IF I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS UNCONSCIENCE, THIS WOULD TRAP ME IN THE CAR. Look up ODI 10724778 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11223011 · 60,000 mi WHILE DRIVING, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THREE OTHER LIGHTS TURNED ON. MY CRUISE CONTROL STARTED BLINKING AND ANOTHER LIGHT WHICH MEANT I WASN'T ABLE TO USE IT OR SWITCH MY CAR INTO SPORT MODE. THESE LIGHTS NEVER WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALERS AND TRIED TO DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR PUMP RUSTING AND GETTING STUCK EITHER OPEN OR CLOSED. THE DEALERS QUOTED ME ANYWHERE FROM 2000-3500 TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND FOR THAT ENTIRE TIME THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS EM… Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	102,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10904230 · 110,000 mi THE FIREWALL WELDS THAT SUPPORT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ARE MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN I RELEASE THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUED WITH THE 2008-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU WRX. I ALSO READ THAT THE FIREWALL CAN COMPLETELY BREAK FROM REPETITIVE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL USE AND IF IT WOULD BREAK I WOULD HAVE NO CLUTCH OR BRAKE PEDAL TO USE AND COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN AT A STOP OR MOVING AS LONG AS YOU HIT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IT POPS. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SINCE… Look up ODI 10904230 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10950419 · 24,000 mi WHEN PULLING THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE LEVER THE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN. HAPPENED ONCE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. THEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO IT WAS EVERY OTHER TIME I NEEDED TO FILL UP. NOW IT'S EVERY SINGLE TIME. I FUEL UP EVERY 4-5 DAYS AND IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A HASSLE. I PICK UP MY WIFE FROM WORK SO THAT'S WHEN I DECIDE TO FUEL UP, SHE REACHES OVER AND PULLS THE LEVER MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE I SLIP MY ID/DEBIT CARD THROUGH THE GAP TO POP OPEN THE FUEL DOOR OPEN. SOMETIMES THE DOOR POPS OPEN A BIT WHERE I CAN PULL IT OPEN WITH MY NAILS. IT NEVER FULLY O… Look up ODI 10950419 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	49,550 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 11195301 · 96,000 mi WTM-73 I AM REPORTING AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED A WEEK AGO WITH MY 2010 SUBARU WRX STI. THIS AIR PUMP FAILED AND I LOOKED UP IF MY VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THIS SPECIFIC PART AND SUBARU SAID IT DID BUT IT FAILED AFTER BEING REPLACED IN 2016 AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. I AM BELIEVING THAT IT IMPROPERLY FIXED CAUSING IT TO FAIL ONCE AGAIN. I ALSO SPOKE TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO ASSIST IN THIS SITUATION. I AM IN DISBELIEF THAT THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE AND I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER WITH THIS PROBLEM D… Look up ODI 11195301 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11234792 · 3,100 mi STARTER WINDED (MISSED) ON STARTUP AND DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL NEXT ATTEMPTED VEHICLE STARTUP. Look up ODI 11234792 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	20,250 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 11102221 · 29,500 mi OUT OF NOWHERE, THE INFORMATION SCREEN IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH DISPLAYED "HEADLIGHTS DISABLED" THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFFI FLICKED THE SWITCH ON AND OFF AND IT CAME BACK ON AND THEN ONLY ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND THE OTHER WAS OFF AND WOULDN'T COME BACK ON. ONE HOUR LATER TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OK Look up ODI 11102221 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11101674 · 11,000 mi THIS IS AN ISSUE REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS PART OF IT SEEMS TO BE MELTING FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TO ME CAN BE A SAFETY OR EVEN FIRE HAZARD. Look up ODI 11101674 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes	Too few reports for a range	52,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	28,028 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11278304 · 28,028 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU WRX STI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 5-10 MPH, A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR T-BONED HIS VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT 60 FEET. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED YOUNG SUBARU (3920 RIVERDALE RD, OGDEN, UT 84405, [phone removed]) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W… Look up ODI 11278304 at NHTSA ↗
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	Too few reports for a range	2,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2018: 2 complaints · 2019: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2018	1	2	2
2019	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2018	2	0	0
2019	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine	Unknown Or Other	Structure:Body	Electrical System	Exterior Lighting	Service Brakes	Air Bags	Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Engine	—	0	0	1 ODI 11234792 · 3,100 mi STARTER WINDED (MISSED) ON STARTUP AND DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL NEXT ATTEMPTED VEHICLE STARTUP. Look up ODI 11234792 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Structure:Body	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 11234792 · 3,100 mi STARTER WINDED (MISSED) ON STARTUP AND DID NOT ENGAGE UNTIL NEXT ATTEMPTED VEHICLE STARTUP. Look up ODI 11234792 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes	0	0	1 ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH. Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)	0	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10682888 · 2,000 mi THERE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I FIRST GOT IT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL SUDDENLY COME ON; CAUSING THE ABS TO BE DISABLED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND NOW THAT IT IS WINTER, I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT AFTER MY CAR SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION BECAUSE IT COULDN'T STOP FAST ENOUGH DUE TO THE SNOW AND THEN ABS DISABLED. THIS CAR HAS THREADS AND FORUMS GALORE ON THIS ISSUE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ABS BEING DISABLED… Look up ODI 10682888 at NHTSA ↗	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 15.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 102,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10779557 · 102,000 mi

THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH.

Look up ODI 10779557 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10904230 · 110,000 mi

THE FIREWALL WELDS THAT SUPPORT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ARE MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN I RELEASE THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I FOUND ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUED WITH THE 2008-2014 MODEL YEAR SUBARU WRX. I ALSO READ THAT THE FIREWALL CAN COMPLETELY BREAK FROM REPETITIVE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL USE AND IF IT WOULD BREAK I WOULD HAVE NO CLUTCH OR BRAKE PEDAL TO USE AND COULD BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN AT A STOP OR MOVING AS LONG AS YOU HIT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IT POPS. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SINCE…

Look up ODI 10904230 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11084866 · 40,750 mi

Look up ODI 11084866 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 10.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 51,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 11223011 · 60,000 mi

Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11151074 · 42,000 mi

Look up ODI 11151074 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 10.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 47,308 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 11223011 · 60,000 mi

Look up ODI 11223011 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11014520 · 34,615 mi

Look up ODI 11014520 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

1 mentions · 5.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 42,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 11151074 · 42,000 mi

Look up ODI 11151074 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule