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Subaru

2019 Subaru WRX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Subaru WRX has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 23. The most common issue is electrical problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: the batterey drains within a week if the vehicle isn’t driven. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

43

Total Complaints

2

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

14 complaints
33%
  • THE BATTEREY DRAINS WITHIN A WEEK IF THE VEHICLE ISN’T DRIVEN
  • I was an hour into a 5-hour trip. I stopped the vehicle at a interstate rest area. I then went to start the car again after 5 minutes or so, and it would not start. After getting a jump start, I drove back to my dealership, and they informed me I needed to replace my battery. This vehicle is only 2
  • Without warning, my brand new car at 1000 miles was found battery dead in my garage. Towed to dealership, I was told that "I got a bad battery". Again, at 7000 miles, car found dead in my garage.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

THE BATTEREY DRAINS WITHIN A WEEK IF THE VEHICLE ISN’T DRIVEN

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Subaru WRX

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
6
30-60K
5
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Subaru WRX

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,824/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Subaru WRX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru WRX Service Intervals

Oil change
6K mi / 6 mo
Tire rotation
6K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
138K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2019 WRX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ELECTRICAL: THE BATTEREY DRAINS WITHIN A WEEK IF THE VEHICLE ISN’T DRIVEN

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: VERY SIMILAR ISSUES DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS ENGINE FAILURES REPORTED. NEW CAR, OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, SERVICED ON FREQUENT. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD CLUNKY NOISE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. 7 WEEKS LATER STILL AT SUBARU AND DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE BUT NOT STARTED TO SAY IT WAS DRI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: VERY SIMILAR ISSUES DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS ENGINE FAILURES REPORTED. NEW CAR, OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, SERVICED ON FREQUENT. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD CLUNKY NOISE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. 7 WEEKS LATER STILL AT SUBARU AND DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE BUT NOT STARTED TO SAY IT WAS DRI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: The contact stated owns a 2019 SUBARU WRX. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal sound as if the engine was sputtering. The driver was concerned that fuel was not running through the engine correctly. The vehicle began to fa

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
43
Recalls
2
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
23

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Subaru WRX