There are 6 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2019 Subaru WRXin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
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.
Engine failed while driving causing vehicle to stall
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru WRX. 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. The technician checked the black box, which indicated that the vehicle had been driven at 144 MPH, the turbo was spun, and the warranty was declined. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Rod bearing broke on engine at 9k miles, car shuts down. Replaced engine and turbo under warranty. Rod bearing broke again on engine at 38k, car shut down. Both times will traveling on highway posing major safety risk.
THE VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEED AS I BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART THE ENGINE UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACH A ROLLING STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 4 LANE HIGHWAY. I TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY A MINUTE I MANAGED ENGAGE THE ENGINE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD TO REACH THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. THERE WERE NO INDICATORS OR WARNING LIGHTS ON. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START THE ENGINE WITH NO SUCCESS SO I CALLED FOR SERVICE. AFTER WAITING FOR 30 MINUTES, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN; THIS TIME THE RPMS STAYED NORMAL. I DROVE TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. ON THE FIRST DAY THE TECHNICIANS WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIANS TESTED MY FUEL OCTANE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE TECHNICIANS THEN RAN A FULL DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CAR AND STILL THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH THE SUBARU TECHNICIANS FOR 6 DAYS AND SO FAR THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNKNOWN.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026