2019 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners reported 30 complaints, led by electrical system issues (47%) and engine problems (37%), plus 2 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 30
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (47%)
- Engine11 (37%)
- Other7 (23%)
- Fuel System3 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power suddenly with a loud clunking noise, sometimes right off the showroom floor.
- Engine stalls at highway speed during deceleration, requiring multiple restart attempts before reaching the shoulder.
- Battery drains repeatedly on a nearly new vehicle, leaving the car dead in the garage after sitting unused for a day or more.
- Transmission occasionally fails to shift into second gear while other gears work normally.
- Rod bearings have broken on the engine at low mileage, shutting the car down on the highway and requiring engine and turbo replacement under warranty.
- Windshield cracks or chips appear without any apparent impact while the vehicle is parked or stationary.
2019 Subaru WRX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 WRX a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years of the WRX. Electrical system and engine problems make up most of the reported complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru WRX?
- Owners most often reported electrical system issues (47% of complaints, median mileage 23,500) and engine issues (37% of complaints, median mileage 39,500), based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2019 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 WRX: one for a corroding backup light switch and one for a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2019 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2019 WRX's complaint index of 60 is lower than the worst years like 2017 (100) and 2015 (85), but higher than Good-rated years like 2021 (45), placing it in the Caution range.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Subaru WRX?
- The 2019 WRX gets 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800 according to the EPA.