2011 Subaru WRX Problems: 7 Known Issues

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, a 2013 service summary in the trade publication Vehicle Service Pros describes a small mesh filter inside the banjo bolt that holds the turbocharger oil-supply pipe to the rear of the right-side cylinder head. It says the filter may become clogged, cutting off oil to the turbo and causing the turbo to fail, and that blockages can include sludge from poor oil maintenance or harsh driving. Owners on Subaru forums describe finding the same screen clogged after a turbo failure. Applies to: The summary is addressed to all Subaru vehicles with a turbocharger and lists no model years; the 2010 WRX is turbocharged. It is not a recall or campaign, and not every vehicle will have a clogged screen.

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, owners on WRX and STI forums report the factory oil pump pickup tube in the oil pan cracking at its base or at a brazed joint. Owners describe a cracked pickup letting the oil pump suck air instead of oil, which can starve the engine of oil. Applies to: Turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ25 engines, including 2008-2014 WRX cars. Owners on STI forums say the 2008-2014 pickup has the same brazed design that cracked on earlier cars, though most reports in one owner poll came from earlier model years. This is not a recall or a Subaru bulletin, and not every engine will develop a crack.

On the 2006-2014 Subaru WRX, the front passenger air bag uses a Takata-sourced, non-desiccated inflator containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate. After long exposure to heat, humidity and temperature cycling, the propellant can degrade and the inflator can rupture when the air bag deploys in a crash. Metal fragments could strike occupants, potentially causing serious injury or death. Applies to: Certain 2006-2014 Subaru WRX and STI vehicles. Subaru recalled these passenger inflators in several phases by model year and NHTSA heat-and-humidity zone, so which campaign applies depends on the VIN and where the car has been registered. In 2016, 2006-2011 Impreza models including the WRX and STI were recalled in hot and humid Zone A states (16V-358, Subaru TKA-16), and 2006-2008 models also in Zone B (16V-359, TKB-16). Recalls 19V-007, 19V-008 and 19V-009 (Subaru TKA/TKB/TKC-19) cover all remaining 2010-2014 WRX and STI vehicles in Zones A, B and C. A later recall, 20V-001 to 20V-003 (Subaru TKA/TKB/TKC-20), covers WRX vehicles that may have received an interim 'like-for-like' Takata inflator. Coverage must be confirmed by VIN with a Subaru dealer.

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, owners on WRX and STI forums describe the power steering pump whining or groaning, often mainly when the engine is cold, sometimes with foamy fluid in the reservoir. Many trace it to the O-ring or O-rings at the fluid inlet on top of the pump, between the reservoir or suction fitting and the pump: as they harden or compress with age they let air into the pump, sometimes with no visible fluid leak. Applies to: Owner reports on hydraulic power steering WRX and STI cars, including a 2008 WRX; the other threads do not state a model year. This is not a recall or a Subaru bulletin.

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, turbo WRX engines have a secondary air system that pumps air into the exhaust for a short time after a cold start. Owners and a Subaru specialist shop report faults in this system that turn on the check-engine light. Some owners also describe a grinding, whining or screeching noise from the air pump on cold starts, or a sucking or blowing noise from its piping. Applies to: Owner and specialist reports on turbo Subarus with a secondary air system, including a 2009 WRX and a 2010 WRX STI. Separately, Subaru recalled certain 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI turbo models (built April 26, 2007 to September 13, 2013) because the pump relay can let the pump run continuously; the check-engine light comes on, and the pump can overheat and in some cases smoke, increasing the risk of fire. Confirm with a Subaru dealer by VIN whether your car is covered.

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, owners of 2010-2012 WRX cars with the 5-speed manual describe grinding or crunching when shifting into 3rd gear. Some say it comes and goes, and others say it is worse on cold mornings or on higher-rpm shifts and gets worse over months. Owners point to worn synchronizers, wrong or cold gear oil, or shift problems as possible causes. Applies to: 2008-2014 WRX with the 5-speed manual transmission, based on owner reports from 2010, 2011 and 2012 cars. Cars with an automatic are not affected. This is not a recall or a Subaru bulletin.

On the 2008-2014 Subaru WRX, the factory radiator has plastic tanks crimped onto an aluminum core. WRX owners report the plastic getting brittle with age and cracking, for example along the top tank near the upper hose connection, or the crimped seam starting to leak, which lets coolant escape. A maker of replacement radiators for the 2008-2014 WRX also says the stock plastic end tanks crack under boost pressure and heat cycles. Applies to: Presented as an age-related weak point for 2008-2014 WRX cars. A radiator maker names the 2008-2014 WRX factory radiator; the owner threads cited here are WRX threads that do not state the car's model year. This is not a recall or a Subaru bulletin.