Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a much different story.
Engine & cooling
2017 Subaru WRX Engine problems
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2017 Subaru WRX's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 23% of all its complaints, most recently on May 6, 2026. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was checked and maintenance at the dealer less then a week prior for a small misfire then was dismissed due to car all the sudden running fine so I drove it 100 miles then it died and almost killed me due to the sudden lockup 2017 Subaru wrx WITH THE FA20 DIT Also worth mentioning cars 100% factory stock Car wasn't terribly damaged, although I was very shaken up from sudden failure into a ditch
The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me on these issues even though I just recently purchased the car stating that I have to pay for it. I purchased this car [[redacted]]. There were several issues with this car prior to purchase that were not disclosed when...
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I purchased it. The dealership that I bought the car from, highline car connection/Yankee Auto sales, insisted we buy an extended warranty. Upon inspection at Dan Perkins Subaru, one of the biggest safety issues with this vehicle is the clutch, I was informed that the clutch cover was missing and there were aftermarket bolts used, I was informed that the clutch is a normal wear and tear item such as an oil change and because of these two issues my warranty will not cover fixing the clutch. As you can see in my documents I just recently purchased this vehicle and had it for 28 days. I also noticed that there was odometer tampering, I reviewed the paperwork the dealership gave me for the carfax report and I went online to retrieve my own carfax report, there are several discrepancies in which I included with my documents. My vehicle has been in the shop since December 6th 2024 it is not safe to drive on the road in the condition it is which is the same condition the car was sold to me in. For the last week I have been going back and forth with the original dealership the insurance company Allstate with the warranty and Dan Perkins Subaru trying to figure out a way to get my car safe on the road and no one is willing to assist me properly. Please review the documents and get back to me at your earliest convenience thank you for your assistance with these issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine failure on the highway driving 60mph , Rod bearing failed causing engine to be destroyed (new block , new pistons, new head needed). Car was under warranty . Dealership filed claim but subaru of America denied claim giving erroneous reasons for denial . Subaru of America has been sued for this before http://www.enginebearings.settlementclass.com/ but they are stating my car does not fall under lawsuit.
The Direct Injection Engine causes valves to become coated in carbon build-up, unlike indirect injections which constantly clean the valves. This issue then results in the sudden loss of power and engine stalls (often when attempting to accelerate from low speeds) which are extremely dangerous when attempting to merge or turn in traffic. Subaru has not addressed the issue but based on online searches it appears to be a major issue for all 2.0l direct injection engines.
While operating vehicle on two different occasions car shut down and I had a very hard time steering and breaking vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru wrx. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized, the contact stated that he then steer the wheel to the right, the steering wheel was ok, then the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact stated that he jerk the wheel a little bit to the right, the vehicle hit a pothole, the vehicle brushed a little of the godrail and run into cones and hit a concrete barrier, the vehicle came to a stop. The power steering warning light illuminated. The...
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contact did not sustained injuries. The vehicle was able to drive normal. The vehicle was taken to subaru of wichita, 11610 e kellogg dr n, wichita, ks 67207, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed an alignment. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while at a drive thru, the vehicle lost power, all the warning lights illuminated. The windshield wipers stop functioning. The contact called the same dealer and informed them of the failure and was advised to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic testing. Vehicle was not taken to the dealer due to the diagnostic and repaired fees. The contact also mention that the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
At 57000 miles I was driving the car and heard a knocking noise almost making the car sound like a diesel engine. I towed the car to the dealership. It was diagnosed that the ringland went bad making the engine knock. *Tr
Pampered 2017 subaru wrx, auto transmission, 61,545 highway miles and proof of oil changes between 5,000 and 7,000 miles, synthetic 5-30. Car idling at stop light when tapping noise started and then oil light lite up but quickly went out. Pulled over to check oil and found oil level mid level in safe zone. Engine didn't burn or leak oil between oil changes. Giles subaru in lafayette la said the engine "must have been run low on oil." They believe it started with the #2 rod bearing going out. I've been a mechanic...
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for the last 38 years, I check oil levels often. Short block replacement was $9,957.50. Repair took 31 days. Giles subaru also extends the powertrain warranty to lifetime if you prove proper oil changes and go in for an inspection every two years. Denied my claim for not coming for two year inspection. Subaru rated my 2.0 Turbocharged engine at 268 horsepower with the 15.9 Psi of boost. Research verified its the only car subaru uses this engine in. Subaru's crosstrek uses this 2.0 But as a non turbocharged engine rated at 152 hp. No other car in subaru's line up has that much horsepower rated per liter. Research shows subaru added a turbocharger to their 152 horsepower engine but did not upgrade the lubrication system to handle the higher stresses. Subaru has lubrication problems with other engines and has three class action suits now. I seen my automatic transmissions warranty was increased by subaru recently and demanded by a court to cover repairs past and future until 100,000 mile warranty. Not that they'll actually pay for it if it breaks or anything. They'll say you did something wrong. Shouldn't this be on the nhtsa website? Subaru was demanded to notify the current owners of 2017 automatic transmissions but I haven't received anything. Is subaru practicing good business? Is the government making sure they do business fairly?
I have had the car multiple times idle hard then die both when stopped at stoplights and when coming to a stop. This is the cvt not the manual and I have contacted the dealer the first time it happened and they said "this is normal operation" which I don't think the car dying when I come to a stop is "normal operation".
Stalling. I have a 2017 subaru wrx cvt. I was at a red light and the car idled hard and stalled, again this is a cvt not a manual.
Clutch on manual transmission has burned out twice in 13000 miles. Dealer blames driver and is not looking hard for other causes. We are 100% positive this is not caused by driver error. Have been stranded on highway twice in less than a year.
Subaru WRX engine complaints by year
WRX engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data