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2019 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 202610 Critical Recalls
Ryan Davis
2019 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2019 Subaru WRX has 33 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.6/ 10

Based on 33 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 33.3%

ENGINE

8 24.2%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 18.2%

POWER TRAIN

2 6.1%

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 3%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 33.3% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 10 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2019 Subaru WRX

The 2019 Subaru WRX has 33 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 33% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2019 Subaru WRX are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11), ENGINE (8), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 22 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2019 Subaru WRX?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 WRX complaints2020 WRX complaints2017 WRX complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 10 of 10 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 Reports33% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

5/15/2021

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 years old. I paid for a new battery.

7/12/2021

9 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

8 Reports24% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 DRIVER FAULT?

10/15/2019

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.

11/19/2020

6 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 DRIVER FAULT?

10/15/2019

THE SCREEN FREAKS OUT. IT FREEZES, JACKS UP THE VOLUME SOMETIMES AND JUST FEELS LIKE THE SCREEN HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT GOES BLACK SOMETIMES BUT OVERALL JUST FREEZING. ITS REALLY ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING WHEN THE VOLUME STARTS BLARING OR DECIDES TO NOT LET YOU LISTEN TO IT AT ALL. IT'S USUALLY WHEN ITS IN MOTION. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY. I HAVE NOT NOTICED A PATTERN AS TO WHEN THE FAULTS HAPPEN.

7/21/2020

4 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

2 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 DRIVER FAULT?

10/15/2019

UNKNOWN - Car will occasionally not shift into 2nd gear, and will be able to engage every other gear other than second.

6/22/2021

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

SMALL GLASS CHIP DEFECT OCCURRED IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THIS VEHICLE WAS ISOLATED IN THE PARKING LOT AND DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER VEHICLES NEAR IT. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE WINDSHIELD TEMPER OR COMPOSITION MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND EASILY PROPOGATED A DEFECT ON THE WAY TO THE PARKING LOT. THE WAY THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED/DEVELOPED THE SMALL CRACK WOULD HAVE HAD TO OCCUR WITH EASE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW (350 MILES) AND HAD NO INTERACTIONS WITH FLYING DEBRIS ESPECIALLY WITH THE SHORTER DRIVE. THE CHIP/SMALL CRACK WAS SMALL ENOUGH TO BE REPAIRED BUT STILL IS VISIBLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY EPOXIED THE SMALL CHIP TO MITIGATE MORE POTENTIAL CRACKING. DUE THE AFOREMENTIONED CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS APPEARS TO HAVE THE SAME OCCURRING INCIDENTS HAPPENING ACROSS ALL AFFECTED SUBARU MODELS.

3/6/2020

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT THE TOP WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF WICHITA (11610 E KELLOGG DR N, WICHITA, KS 67207; (316) 264-7777) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A STONE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

1/7/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 fail to accelerate forward then lose motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle made a large popping sound and white smoke was coming from the tailpipe. The contact cooled off the timing belt to cool off the vehicle. There was no fire reported. No injuries or medical attention is needed. The vehicle was towed. The contact stated that earlier that day while starting the vehicle it had backfired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the engine was blown due to the failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V587000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, there was no response yet. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

10/18/2021

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

7/19/2022

AIR BAGS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

7/10/2024

SEATS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

7/10/2024

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru WRX?

The most reported complaint category for the 2019 Subaru WRX is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 11 owner reports. That is about 33% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2019 Subaru WRX a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 22 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2019 Subaru WRX?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2019 Subaru WRX severe?

22 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Subaru WRX: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
33
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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