2019 Subaru Wrx Safety Report
2019 SUBARU WRX Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Subaru Wrx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Subaru Wrx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (27) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Subaru Wrx with 12 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Subaru Wrx before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Wrx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Wrx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Wrx | 17 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Subaru Wrx | 40 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Subaru Wrx | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Subaru Wrx | 51 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Wrx | 22 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Subaru Wrx | 34 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2019 Subaru Wrx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Subaru Wrx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyEngine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Subaru onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlySteering,Suspension,Electrical System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Suspension,Electrical System issues Subaru onlyAir Bags,Seats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags,Seats issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Subaru Wrx
Reliability Score
The 2019 Subaru Wrx receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2019 Subaru Wrx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Subaru Wrx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Failure Reports indicate that the electrical system can fail, leading to power steering loss and radio malfunctions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Failure Engine issues, such as rod bearing failures and engine stalling, have been reported, posing safety risks. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Pump Issues Fuel pump failures have been reported, with some requiring multiple replacements under warranty. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Malfunction A few reports of airbag malfunctions have been noted, though less common. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Subaru Wrx:
Issues with the electrical system, including power steering and radio malfunctions, are the most common problems.
Engine failures, such as rod bearing issues and engine stalling, are also frequent.
Fuel pump failures have been reported, though less frequently.
Airbag malfunctions are rare but have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2019 Subaru Wrx
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Subaru Wrx by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Subaru Wrx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Subaru Wrx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
I'm driving down the road and unexpectedly the power steering completely goes out and the car is almost impossible to steer. When I shut the car off it usually resets sometimes for only a couple seconds, sometimes longer before the power steering fails again. It has happened in the middle of multiple turns, highways driving, city driving and is very dangerous. If you look online it is a very commo...
At 77,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a major failure where the #2 connecting rod and piston were destroyed, requiring a short block replacement. This repair was performed by Autonation West Subaru in Golden, Colorado and was covered under the SAS gold plan, certified pre-owned 7yr/100,00mi. warranty purchased with the vehicle. According to the technician's report at that time, the failure was so v...
There is what looks to be water spots inside the radio screen causing the radio to malfunction. After reading online this is happening to many cars my same year and the website mentioned a recall for this issue. I have less than 60,000 miles on my car.
With 61,700 miles on the car the engine lost a rod bearing going around a sharp corner on and off ramp of interstate highway. If failure had caused block to crack or break it would have put oil down on the highway and would of caused loss of control of the car. From research done online it seems sharp corners cause engine catastrophic failure. Car is currently at Subaru dealership. Subaru will not...
Mid-Drive the Airbag (SRS) light came on indicating here was a fault in the system. After some diagnostic testing it was determined that there was a fault in the Occupant detection system causing the vehicle to not activate the airbag regardless of the fact that someone was sitting in the seat. The issue was present in same type of seats (heated) that were previously recalled shortly before this v...
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru WRX. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal popping sound detected, and the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who informed the contacts that the repair was not covered under the warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The technician checked the black box, which indi...
Engine failed while driving causing vehicle to stall
There is a current drain (approximately 135mA) by the built-in telematics system (DCM) even when the car is completely powered off. The drain will drop battery voltage levels beyond recharge/repair. Dead batteries can leave people stranded in unsafe areas or make them susceptible to potentially dangerous situations such as being approached by bad actors. The vehicle has been inspected by me, who...
at random, the vehicle will shut down for a second and start back up without pressing the start button. usually occurs while using carplay but has occurred without using the stereo. will happen back to back and cause the steering wheel to lock up at highway speeds, taking control of the vehicle away from me (driver). steering wheel has locked up several times when the car shuts off while driving. ...
The battery in my 2019 Subaru WRX failed after buying it brand new from the dealer, after less than 2 years of owning the vehicle. Almost one year later, my car now won't start if I leave it off for more than 24 hrs. In 2019 I left the car powered off for over a week and it started right up no hesitation. This is a huge problem now as I work remotely and don't need to drive my car every day howeve...
This vehicle has less than 20,000 miles on it and I’ve had the battery drain on me 3 different times from just leaving a door open with the car off while doing general maintenance things. The car lacks a feature to shut off the dome lights and I thought that was what the problem stemmed from. Each time the car died on me the door was open for no more than 20 minutes or so. Once I saw there’s a cla...
Battery cannot hold a charge even after jumping the car. Once jumped, the car will drive but when the engine is turned off, it cannot turn back on without a jump.
The STARLINK 7-inch Multimedia Plus unit gets locked-up, sometime not responsive to touch, skips around to different songs, in a phantom way scans different radio stations, disconnects phone calls.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her father was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact stated the following morning she experienced the failure for a second time. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The ve...
I've had two fuel pumps replaced under warranty after the 2nd fuel pump failed hours after the Subaru dealership installed it. They installed the 3rd which worked until a week ago when my car stalled at a red light. The car would not start back up and it has since been diagnosed as a fuel issue.
Rod bearing broke on engine at 9k miles, car shuts down. Replaced engine and turbo under warranty. Rod bearing broke again on engine at 38k, car shut down. Both times will traveling on highway posing major safety risk.
Parasitic battery drain, the vehicle dies and will not start after 1 day of not being driven.
The contact stated owns a 2019 SUBARU WRX. The contact stated that while her spouse was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal sound as if the engine was sputtering. The driver was concerned that fuel was not running through the engine correctly. The vehicle began to fail to accelerate forward then lose motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The conta...
Without warning, my brand new car at 1000 miles was found battery dead in my garage. Towed to dealership, I was told that "I got a bad battery". Again, at 7000 miles, car found dead in my garage.
I was an hour into a 5-hour trip. I stopped the vehicle at a interstate rest area. I then went to start the car again after 5 minutes or so, and it would not start. After getting a jump start, I drove back to my dealership, and they informed me I needed to replace my battery. This vehicle is only 2 years old. I paid for a new battery.
Showing 20 of 27 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Subaru Wrx
Has the 2019 SUBARU WRX been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 SUBARU WRX has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 SUBARU WRX have?
The 2019 SUBARU WRX has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
The 2019 SUBARU WRX does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 SUBARU WRX involve electrical system (7 complaints), engine (6 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, steering,suspension,electrical system, air bags,seats.
How many crash reports does the 2019 SUBARU WRX have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2019 SUBARU WRX in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2019 SUBARU WRX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2019 SUBARU WRX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 SUBARU WRX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 SUBARU WRX.
Should I buy a 2019 SUBARU WRX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 SUBARU WRX is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 27 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 SUBARU WRX are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints), 2. ENGINE (6 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 5. STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 7 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 SUBARU WRX?
Be aware of potential electrical and engine issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2019 SUBARU WRX has 27 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
The 2019 SUBARU WRX receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 27 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System Failure and Engine Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2019 SUBARU WRX?
Known issues with the 2019 SUBARU WRX include: Electrical System Failure, Engine Failure, Fuel Pump Issues, Airbag Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 27 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2019 Subaru WRX?
The most common issues are electrical system failures and engine problems, such as power steering loss and rod bearing failures.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 Subaru WRX?
Yes, there are recalls for issues with backup lights and fuel pumps.
What should I do if I experience engine stalling?
Pull over safely, check for any warning lights, and seek professional diagnosis to prevent further damage.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical and engine issues, especially around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Subaru Wrx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Subaru Wrx. The data includes 27 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16