YearToAvoid

2019 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 WRX years

The 2019 Subaru WRX has 30 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years with data. Its verdict is Caution, with Electrical System (47%) and Engine (37%) as the top problem areas.

Complaints
30
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 24 hwy

Top 2019 Subaru WRX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System14 (47%)
  2. Engine11 (37%)
  3. Other7 (23%)
  4. Fuel System3 (10%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (7%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
  8. Airbags1 (3%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine suddenly loses power or stalls at highway speed, sometimes with a loud clunking noise before failure.
  • Battery drains overnight or after short periods of non-use, leaving the car dead and requiring a jump start or replacement.
  • Rod bearings have broken on the engine at low mileage, requiring engine and turbo replacement under warranty, then failing again later.
  • Transmission occasionally will not shift into second gear while other gears engage normally.
  • Windshield cracks or chips have appeared without any apparent impact, in some cases while the vehicle was parked.
2019 Subaru WRX complaints: complaints filed per month4Oct 2019Jan 2021Oct 2021Aug 2022Nov 2023Jan 2025Jun 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Jun 2026; peak Nov 2022 (4).

2019 Subaru WRX recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Electrical System59,934 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

  2. NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2019 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other WRX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Avoid10053121
2018Avoid9342220
2019Caution6030221
2020Caution5317121
2021Good4013121

All Subaru WRX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Subaru WRX reliable?
NHTSA lists 30 complaints for the 2019 WRX with a Complaint Index of 60, giving it a Caution rating relative to other WRX model years. Electrical System issues account for 47% of complaints and Engine issues for 37%.
How does the 2019 WRX compare to other WRX model years?
The 2019 WRX ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years with data. It is rated Caution, better than the Avoid-rated 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 model years.
Does the 2019 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 WRX: one for a backup light switch that may corrode in the Electrical System, and one for a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail in the Fuel System. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem area on the 2019 WRX?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 47% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 23,500 miles. The Engine is second at 37% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 39,500 miles.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Subaru WRX?
The 2019 WRX gets an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.