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Subaru WRX/STI 2.5L Engine Failure Lawsuit; What Owners Can Do Now

Subaru WRX/STI owners who had engine failure have benefits coming. Here are the steps you should take.
2012-2017 Subaru WRX STI, WRX, Subaru 2.5-liter engine failure lawsuit

If you own a 2012-2017 Subaru WRX or WRX STI with an EJ25 2.5-liter turbo engine, you could have an issue with engine failure. A class action lawsuit was filed against Subaru of America (SOA) because of a defect within the engine manufacturing which could lead to premature engine failure. It was settled by the Camden, N.J. automaker recently, and the suit estimates the number of WRX/STI owners effected could number more than 100,000.

What should you do if you own a 2012-2017 Subaru WRX/STI?

The settled lawsuit contends the problem in the WRX/STI 2.5-liter engine was caused by “inadequate oil lubrication to the bearings and crankshaft” causing “sudden and catastrophic engine self-destruction as overheated internal parts seize” and by “severe driving conditions.” If your EJ25 engine fails in your WRX or STI, it could cost you $6,000 or more to get your 2.5-liter turbo Boxer engine repaired.

The recent settlement allows for WRX/STI owners to receive from $3,500 up to $6,500 if they had this problem and if they got it repaired at an independent repair shop, but you must produce your receipts. WRX/STI owners who had engine repairs made at an authorized Subaru dealer can get 100% reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Subaru is also extending the powertrain warranty up to an additional eight years on 2012-2017 model years or up to 100,000 miles.

Who is eligible?

Anyone who leased or purchased a 2012-2017 Subaru Impreza WRX or WRX STI with an EJ-series 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is eligible to get these settlement benefits. Your WRX/STI must be manufactured between October 11, 2011, and November 16, 2016, with bearing vehicle identification numbers (VIN) ending with CG203168 and up for 5-door models, and CG006225 through H9826807 for 4- door models.

You May Also Like: Subaru Settles WRX/STI 2.5L Engine Lawsuit Following Months of Discovery

What should WRX/STI owners do?

Owners can file a claim here and it must be done by May 22, 2019. You are not required to submit a claim form to receive the benefit of the 8 year/100,000 mile extended warranty. 2012-2017 WRX/STI owners are automatically eligible.

It would also be a good idea if you own a 2012-2017 Subaru WRX or STI with the EJ25 2.5-liter engine, to make an appointment with your Subaru dealer to get it checked out. Your engine may not have failed, but one way to determine if you could be having a problem is if you begin to experience a slight decrease in power which could be a sign of major issues ahead.

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Photo credit: Subaru Corp

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Comments

Christopher Ge… (not verified)    March 31, 2019 - 7:57PM

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My friends and I have on several Subarus over the years I have owned a 2003 WRX a 2004 WRX and have built the engine twice and now I own a 2007 Legacy GT all these problems stem from cylinder number 4 overheating and blowing out even the rod bearings go out on every Subaru model and even the ones with avcs the hoses always break and shatter. Don't get me wrong I love Subaru but I wish there would be a better compensation or fix for the EJ series

Mike (not verified)    August 19, 2019 - 3:56PM

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Does anyone know if there is/was a higher issue with a certain cylinder number? Have a 2017 bought 1 year ago with 23K miles. Rod blew at 30K. Subaru denied warranty because computer showed max rpm at 9K miles of 7400 and max mph of 141 at 19K miles. Just wanting to know if I have any claim to fight this.

Mathew Ickes (not verified)    September 7, 2019 - 3:21AM

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So if I own a 2011 sti that had engine failure is there nothing I can do. The car has had all maintenance and oil changes done on time with all the paperwork to prove it. Spun a bearing at 106,000 miles and now have spent an easy 10g to fix it

Bob (not verified)    October 25, 2019 - 4:22PM

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My WRX had rod failure while being serviced at a shop. After presenting the claim, Subaru denied the claim because it was not presented to an authorized Subaru Dealership. Why would you take to the Subaru dealer that ultimately caused the issue. My understanding is 100% reimbursed if the work is done at the Dealer and percentage of reimbursement at mom and pops shop. Is this correct? Good luck!

Raymond Colbert (not verified)    November 7, 2019 - 9:59PM

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I had bearing failure at a track event after 5 laps. The car was out of factory warranty by its mileage. Because of this and because I had not received info on the lawsuit yet I took it to and got it repaired at a performance shop. I got all the known problems repaired (ringland failure w forged pistons, better rods and bearings and balancing etc). Subaru has denied my claim as I did not have their shop evaluate it. I know rod bearing failure when I hear it as I'm 64 and have had cars for 45 years. Heard the death rattle plenty of times. But Subaru wanted at chance to sell me defective stuff again!!!!

Not me!!

Ray Colbert
Pittsburgh PA

Terry Chudyk (not verified)    February 14, 2020 - 10:33AM

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I have unfortunately run into the same issues with my 2010 WRX. Very disappointed that the car has 120,000 km and the engine has crapped out and I cant find a new one. Now I'm stuck with a car shell. Very disappointed in Subaru products.

Jacqueline (not verified)    April 6, 2020 - 1:05PM

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Towed the vehicle to the dealership per the general managers request. I have been calling the dealership and him with no response now. Going to call again today this is ridiculous. I’m making payments on car that can’t been driven!

Simon (not verified)    September 16, 2023 - 5:53AM

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My friend I have the same car nothing but problems I don't ride it hard its been in and out f the shop since I got it. Honestly I've replaced the transmission multiple times very costly and I thought what the hell is going on and I see all these recalls now makes sense even my mechanic said they build them cheap and weak. Anyways I've wasted a lot of my money on repairs I never know when the cars gonna die out stall or clutch gets stuck I think this is wrong my dad is a mechanic also and I know my basics but never ever have I had a car give me this many issues. So I'm going to look into legal representation but let me know what happens with you also anyone else with similar issues lets get together this is wrong, they have admitted to faults in the cars so they should fix what they messed up.

Simon

James Hall (not verified)    March 3, 2024 - 9:45AM

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Has anyone made a progress? Besides buying an engine yourself? I put amsoil in mine. Blew up 54,000 miles that just ridiculous Subaru denied power train, bought added security protection denied didn’t like me service records, anyone have advice? I’d sue but probably take 10 years to see any money

Guy Logan (not verified)    February 23, 2020 - 3:47PM

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We have a 2013 Subaru WRX. Local shop says the car has the engine problem described in this article. Subaru of America will not do anything for us because we added a stage two tune. However, experts say this tune very likely had nothing to do with the engine defect which ruined our car. Makes sense since so many of these cars had the engine defect whether they had a tune or not.
Volkswagen Audi took care of their customers because the emissions weren’t quite what they had reported. Bought back cars 4 years later at the sticker price. Subaru won’t even give me a dollar. Anyone have a similar experience?

Kolby K. Lewis (not verified)    February 26, 2020 - 11:40AM

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What should I do if my car qualifies under this suit but only recently did the engine blow. The deadline to claim was back in 2019. Am I just SOL?

andrew (not verified)    March 19, 2020 - 3:00PM

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We are in the same boat now as I write this. car is in the shop with a blown engine and Subaru corporate says they won’t cover it due to: blah blah blah!!! Please let me know if you find a way to handle this. Thanks

Andrew (not verified)    March 19, 2020 - 3:04PM

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Having same problem now. Car is at the dealer and they said it’s not covered under warranty. Please let me know if you find out how this can be addressed. maybe reopen class action suit?

jacqueline faett (not verified)    March 21, 2020 - 1:03PM

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I say yes open a class action law suit because according to my Subaru it does not match the vin they are covering. well I have a Subaru that is just a big metal paper weight and still making payments on it. Called Subaru and she asked that I tow to a dealer and they will let me know. Ok I have only had this vehicle towed 3 times to shops! I am in the process of writing the dealership where we purchased the president and general manager. Will see what they say I can afford to keep towing this vehicle for them to tell me no we are not covering it.

Jacqueline (not verified)    July 26, 2020 - 6:51PM

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File your claim because I do not recall them send out a notification. Never heard anything on the news so how would you know. report to the BBB and your Attorney Generals Office. We have to stop this!

Billie Sue Hammer (not verified)    January 28, 2022 - 10:51PM

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I own a 2015 Subaru WRX and recently my engine blew up. I contacted Subaru of America and they stated that they were unable to help with my repairs but they would offer me $2000.00 on the purchase of a new Subaru. The car has 103,000.00 and has been well taken care of. I provided records to show that all maintenance has been done in a timely manner. Why would I want another Subaru when they won’t stand behind their product?

Andrew (not verified)    March 19, 2020 - 3:05PM

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Having same problem now. Car is at the dealer and they said it’s not covered under warranty. Please let me know if you find out how this can be addressed. maybe reopen class action suit?

susan (not verified)    April 15, 2020 - 12:03AM

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Son has a 2015 sti wrx, last year when bought when it should not of been sold to him, it failed within 5 days, subaru of america,authorized new engine and supposive turbo and other parts but dealer lied and didn't replace 100% new, car is now sitting in my driveway dead...but 2 belt in front turn when ignition is attempted to be turned on. subaru of america says it happened because new muffler hahaha muffler doesn't make an engine stop running, we pulled turbo out and found silver shavings inside.....HELP HELP HELP

Jacqueline (not verified)    April 15, 2020 - 4:13PM

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Update on WRX2014- The dealership has nothing but arrogant managers working there. Just got off the phone with Subaru advocate person and she was trying to get me some help on this car. They said because my son made modifications that they can’t do anything. Well guess what it is his car and no one told me this when we purchased the vehicle. Whatever this is ridiculous and they even went on my sons Instagram saying he had the car on two wheels WTH! I just looked it was in his friends shop and lifted the wheel is off the ground and he clearly is not in the car bunch losers I say. Will never buy anything from this dealership now I will be calling my bank to tell them they can keep it not paying for a hunk of metal. Sorry if I missed words but I’m beyond livid with these people .

Ky (not verified)    May 27, 2020 - 12:20PM

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I have a 2014 WRX at 93400 miles. My car has this issue. I brought it to a Subaru dealership and the first thing they said was sounds like a rod issue. They suggested I get a new engine offline and install it. At least one guy did. Now I find out about this lawsuit so I am wonder if I can get it fixed by subaru. Car is still stock. If not if anyone files class action lawsuit again would love to know.

Ky (not verified)    May 27, 2020 - 12:34PM

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I have a 2014 WRX at 93400 miles. My car has this issue. I brought it to a Subaru dealership and the first thing they said was sounds like a rod issue. They suggested I get a new engine offline and install it. At least one guy did. Now I find out about this lawsuit so I am wonder if I can get it fixed by subaru. Car is still stock. If not if anyone files class action lawsuit again would love to know.

Bill Parretta (not verified)    June 8, 2020 - 5:16PM

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My son recently had his 2015 Subaru WRX with only 57,000 mile engine replaced.last week. He was always very meticulous with his maintenance. We were shock when he was told his engine is crap and needed to be replaced. Spent $7K. My brother in law got on the computer and discovered he wasn't the only one this this problem. Is there any recourse with Subaru? The filing date, according an article was last year. Why didn't Subaru posted a recall???