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Top issues
13 known problems · 7 high
high
Modified / abused history
All engines
high
Engine failure from low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) / ringland and rod bearings
2 of 3 engines
high
Turbo oil-feed banjo-bolt filter clogging
2 of 3 engines
Recalls
1 on recordREC-005484
2022-08-11
Defect: A non-conductive film can build up on the backup lamp switch's terminal contact and plate spring surfaces when exposed to heated oil.
Hazard: The reverse lamps may not illuminate and the rearview camera may not display an image when reverse gear is selected, increasing the risk of a collision.
Remedy: Book a free rectification at any authorised Subaru dealer.
Affected: 5,702 units, WRX STI 2015-2021
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
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Generations
Best and worst years for the Subaru WRX / STI →
Before: Impreza WRX / WRX STI (GE/GV/GR, 2007-2014)
After: WRX (VB, 2021-)
Price (AUD)
$18k-$55k
Body styles
4-door sedan
Drivetrain
Symmetrical AWD (active torque-split, WRX), Symmetrical AWD (DCCD driver-controlled centre diff, STI)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The VA was the first WRX sold as a standalone model rather than a hot Impreza, launched here in 2014. Australia got two clearly separated cars: the WRX with the new direct-injection 2.0L FA20DIT (197kW), offered with a 6-speed manual or a CVT (Subaru's 'Sport Lineartronic' with stepped manual modes); and the WRX STI with the carried-over 2.5L EJ257 (221kW), manual only, with a driver-controlled centre diff (DCCD), bigger Brembos and a wing. A facelift around MY18 brought a restyled nose, suspension tweaks and on STI a power bump to ~ same headline figure with detail changes; the STI ran out as the EJ25 Final Edition in 2021. Both engines are quick and characterful but neither is bulletproof: the FA20DIT can suffer ringland/rod-bearing failure under low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and the older EJ257 carries the long-standing Subaru ringland and rod-knock reputation, both made worse by aggressive tunes and missed oil changes. Buy on service history, not colour - a well-kept, stock-tune example of either is far safer than a cheap modified one.
Engines & variants
WRX 2.0L FA20DIT (6MT)
Engine
2.0L direct-injection turbo DOHC boxer-four (twin-scroll turbo)
Engine code
FA20DIT
Config
Flat-4 turbo
Displacement
1998cc
Power
197kW @ 5600rpm
Torque
350Nm @ 2400-5200rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical AWD (viscous-LSD centre, active split)
Economy
9.2 L/100km combined (claimed), 10-12 real world
Transmission
6MT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong, modern direct-injection turbo - flexible and quick
- Manual avoids all CVT concerns
- Genuinely great AWD chassis and grip
- Cheaper to buy and run than the STI, lower insurance
Cons
- FA20DIT is sensitive to low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and tuning
- Direct injection means intake-valve carbon build-up over time
- Turbo oil-feed banjo-bolt filter can clog and starve the turbo
- Clutch and heavy-clutch feel wears on hard-driven examples
Known problems
high
Engine failure from low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) / ringland and rod bearings
The FA20DIT can suffer ringland, piston and rod-bearing failure, typically from low-speed pre-ignition under high load at low rpm (around 1400-2400rpm) - the risk rises sharply with aftermarket tunes, cheap fuel or extended oil intervals. Documented AU cases include short-block replacement around 100,000km costing roughly $11k, with warranty claims sometimes disputed.
Fix: Keep the factory tune (or a reputable conservative tune), run quality 98 RON, change oil on time (or more often), and avoid lugging the engine. A failed engine needs a short block or full rebuild.
high
Turbo oil-feed banjo-bolt filter clogging
The small mesh filter in the turbo oil-feed banjo bolt can clog with oil sludge and starve the turbo of oil, leading to bearing failure and a 'walking' turbine - a long-standing Subaru turbo issue carried into this era.
Fix: Inspect/clean or remove the banjo filter per Subaru TSB guidance, keep oil changes frequent and use the correct oil; replace the turbo if it has been starved.
medium
Direct-injection intake-valve carbon build-up
Like other DI turbo engines, the FA20DIT has no port fuel washing the intake valves, so carbon accumulates and can cause rough idle, misfires and lost power over time.
Fix: Walnut-blast intake-valve clean; a catch-can helps slow it.
WRX 2.0L FA20DIT (CVT)
Engine
2.0L direct-injection turbo DOHC boxer-four with Sport Lineartronic CVT
Engine code
FA20DIT
Config
Flat-4 turbo
Displacement
1998cc
Power
197kW @ 5600rpm
Torque
350Nm @ 2400-5200rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical AWD (active torque-split via CVT)
Economy
8.6 L/100km combined (claimed), 9-11 real world
Transmission
CVT (Sport Lineartronic)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Easy daily driver with stepped manual/paddle modes
- Slightly better claimed economy than the manual
- Same strong FA20DIT performance and AWD grip
- Smooth in traffic, popular as a do-everything car
Cons
- Heat is the enemy of the CVT - hard/modified use shortens its life
- Valve-body and torque-converter issues prompted an extended CVT warranty
- Shares the FA20DIT LSPI/ringland and turbo banjo-bolt risks
- Purists prefer the manual; CVT can feel disconnected when pushed
Known problems
high
CVT (Lineartronic) overheating / valve-body and torque-converter faults
The CVT is heat-sensitive; valve-body failures and torque-converter shudder/judder are the known faults, severe enough that Subaru extended the CVT warranty on affected cars. Modified or track-driven WRXs are most at risk.
Fix: Fit a CVT fluid cooler if used hard, service the fluid (it is NOT lifetime in practice), and verify the extended-warranty status; failure means valve-body or full transmission replacement.
high
Engine failure from LSPI / ringland and rod bearings
Same FA20DIT vulnerability as the manual car - low-speed pre-ignition under load can crack ringlands and spin rod bearings, with risk amplified by tunes, poor fuel and long oil intervals.
Fix: Stay near stock tune, run 98 RON, shorten oil-change intervals, avoid lugging; rebuild/short-block on failure.
high
Turbo oil-feed banjo-bolt filter clogging
The turbo oil-feed banjo filter can clog with sludge and starve the turbo, the same issue as on the manual WRX.
Fix: Inspect/clean or remove per Subaru TSB, frequent oil changes, correct oil grade; replace a starved turbo.
WRX STI 2.5L EJ257 (6MT)
Engine
2.5L turbo DOHC AVCS boxer-four (STI-tuned, port injection)
Engine code
EJ257
Config
Flat-4 turbo
Displacement
2457cc
Power
221kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
407Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Symmetrical AWD (DCCD driver-controlled centre diff)
Economy
10.4 L/100km combined (claimed), 12-14 real world
Transmission
6MT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven (interference - replace on interval)
Pros
- Driver-focused: 6-speed manual only, DCCD centre diff, big Brembos
- Iconic EJ25 boxer character and proper rally-bred AWD
- Hugely strong aftermarket and specialist support
- Holds value well, especially Final Edition and clean stock cars
Cons
- EJ257 carries the classic ringland and rod-knock reliability reputation
- Timing belt is an interference belt that MUST be changed on interval
- Thirsty and needs 98 RON
- Heavily modified examples are common and risky - many have tired engines
Known problems
high
Ringland failure (pistons)
The EJ257's cast pistons have relatively brittle ringlands; knock/detonation from aggressive tunes, poor fuel, lean conditions or a heat soak can shatter a ringland, causing blow-by, smoke and power loss. It is the defining EJ25 failure mode and the reason stock-tune history matters so much.
Fix: Run 98 RON, avoid cheap tunes, monitor knock, keep the engine cool and well-fuelled. Repair is a forged-piston rebuild for longevity.
high
Spun rod / main bearings (rod knock)
The EJ25 is prone to rod-bearing wear and spun bearings ('rod knock'), aggravated by oil starvation, over-revving, sustained high load and missed oil changes - a deep knocking noise warns of it.
Fix: Strict oil maintenance and quality oil; on knock, a bottom-end rebuild with upgraded bearings is required.
high
Timing belt failure (interference engine)
Unlike the chain-driven FA20, the EJ257 uses a timing belt and is an interference design - a snapped or skipped belt bends valves and wrecks the engine. Many used cars are overdue.
Fix: Replace the timing belt, tensioner, idlers and water pump on schedule (and verify it was done before purchase).
medium
Turbo oil-feed banjo-bolt clogging / turbo wear
Same banjo-bolt oil-feed filter clogging risk as other Subaru turbos can starve the turbo of oil and cause bearing failure.
Fix: Inspect/clean or remove the banjo filter per TSB, keep oil fresh; replace the turbo if damaged.