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Verdict

2019 Subaru WRX: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2019 Subaru WRX — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.

Owners filed 31 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 56% of 2019 sedans. Electrical System leads the reports (45%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2019 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

31

Reports to NHTSA, 2019

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

21

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 56% of 2019 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2019 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (45% of 31 reports), followed by engine (19%).

Electrical System45% · 14 reports
Engine19% · 6 reports
Power Train6% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other6% · 2 reports
Air Bags3% · 1 report
Fuel System3% · 1 report
Fuel/Propulsion System3% · 1 report
Steering3% · 1 report

+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 31 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11742031, ODI 11733161, ODI 11519850, ODI 11493131, ODI 11492032.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Fuel System · 21V587000Details +

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.

Exterior Lighting · 22V522000Details +

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2019 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
WRX2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive212723
WRX2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive182421
WRX2.5L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive172219

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2019 Subaru WRX: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2019 Subaru WRX?

Owners filed 31 NHTSA complaints about the 2019 Subaru WRX — more complaints than 56% of comparable 2019 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2019 Subaru WRX?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (45% of complaints) and engine (19%).

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru WRX have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2019 Subaru WRX, covering components such as fuel system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Subaru WRX get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Subaru WRX between 19 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.