This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Subaru WRX engine problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 8 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Subaru WRX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH BANK 1) are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Front end collision vs deer on interstate at approximately 75 MPH. 4-5 minutes after the accident the engine caught on fire. The car is a total loss. No one was injured. We all were out of the car at the time the fire started.
Started having issue with the engine making loud rattle noises and oil pressure was not consistent. Upon further investigating I removed the oil pan and removed the oil pickup. The oil pickup screen was full of RTV sealant causing the oil pickup to struggle with maintaining proper oil pressure and flow to the engine. I ended up having to change my timing belt tensioners because one went bad.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Subaru wrx sti. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would overheat, but no smoke was present. The odometer gauge needle moved to the hot indicator. The contact would turn off and restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to spurr Subaru (6331 brockport spencerport rd, brockport, ny 14420, (585)-637-9582) where it was diagnosed that the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 (na) Subaru wrx. While driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician reset p codes 1449, 1604, and the engine light. The technician stated that the vehicle was now up to Subaru standards; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…
I was driving down the highway and the car lost a little power start to slow down till it eventually stalled out and now it starts but does not stay running.
"takata recall" took my car to a local shop because it was lacking power and had low MPG readings. Found a boost leak in the top inter-cooler and expressed that all the 2016 wrx that come in this happens quite often. Forums and online posts verified this problem, the car is a 2016 so its fairly new this shouldn't be happening.
After leaving work and driving less than one mile, the vehicle's engine stalled while approaching a controlled intersection. The vehicle had to be placed into park and restarted. The ambient temperature was 80 degrees; most auxiliary systems were not in use at the time the incident occurred except for the radio. The vehicle was not being operated in its optional "paddle shifter" mode--it was…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Subaru WRX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Subaru WRX?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 32,690 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Subaru/WRX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.