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 ↗2022 Subaru WRX engine problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Subaru WRX we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT) are detected by Keyless Access with Push Button Start(KACM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when performing immobilizer-related repairs on models listed.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report that the factory applied excessive RTV silicone sealant to the oil pan and engine block seals on the 2022 WRX. Pieces of this sealant—described as grey and black material—break loose and lodge in the oil pickup tube, restricting oil flow to the engine. One owner experienced complete engine failure from oil starvation at under 4,000 miles. Others report burning smells from the engine bay and have visually confirmed RTV debris in the oil pan after removing the pan for inspection.
Multiple owners note this is not a new problem: the FA24 engine used in the 2022 BRZ and Toyota GR86 has had the same issue. There are online videos and forum posts documenting the defect, including a RallySport Direct YouTube video showing large RTV chunks clogging the oil pickup on a 2022 WRX.
Removing the oil pan requires dropping the header and removing the entire front timing cover—labor-intensive work owners cannot perform themselves. At least one owner states that having the pan removed to address the issue would void the warranty. Subaru has not issued a recall or service bulletin, and dealerships are not covering this work under warranty, leaving owners with expensive out-of-pocket repairs.
Failure modes owners describe
RTV sealant clogging oil pickup causing oil starvation
Excessive RTV silicone sealant applied during factory assembly to the oil pan and engine block seals breaks apart and lodges in the oil pickup tube, restricting oil flow to the engine. Multiple owners report finding grey and black RTV debris in the oil pan after inspection. At least one owner experienced complete engine failure from oil starvation at under 4,000 miles.
When: Under 6,000 miles reported by multiple owners; engine failure occurred at under 4,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from engine bay and exhaust; RTV debris visible in oil pan upon inspection; Oil starvation condition; Engine failure/catastrophic motor damage
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan removal requires dropping the header; oil pickup inspection requires removal of entire front timing cover. Labor-intensive repair owners cite as non-DIY task. One owner reported removal of oil pan would void warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No active service bulletins or recalls issued despite reports to Subaru of America. Same engine (FA24) used in 2022 Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, which have reportedly experienced identical issues. Dealerships not performing this work as warranty coverage.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Excessive RTV silicone was used on the oil pan on this year/make/model. This issue causes pieces of RTV to break off inside the oil pan and clog the oil pickup resulting in the engine being deprived of oil. I’m seeing more and more people document this issue online and worry the $33,000 car I just bought may have this issue. Subaru has not issued any recall knowing this is affecting many many…
The vehicle’s oil pan has seal is made up of RTV silicone and it seems an excessive amount was placed around the oil pan. I’ve noticed that this has caused some of the silicone sealant to chip off into the oil pan causing it to flow into the oil pick up. Over time I’ve noticed a burning smell from the engine bay area and the exhaust. I know different models of Subaru have the same engine type and…
The fa24 engine for this car uses an RTV gasket to seal the oil pan. Subaru ended up using too much RTV sealant on this engine which ended up causing pieces of RTV to fall off inside of the oil pan. This can cause a clog in the oil pickup which may result in oil starvation for the engine. If this happens in traffic and the motor blows up, it could cause a collision. Subaru doesn't have any active…
The seal on the oil pan is chipping off and getting into the oil pan and oil pick up system and causing oil starvation.
There is a huge concern about excess RTV getting into the oil pick up that will cause oil starvation in the engine once enough particles of RTV have caused obstruction. The 2022 WRX has the same engine FA24 as the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, both have had issues with excess RTV in the oil can and have caused catastrophic damage. There has been many articles, forum posts, and videos showing this…
Excessive RTV used to seal engine and oil pan is clogging the oil pickup in the oil pan. Many 2022 Subaru WRX owners have had a technician take off the oil pan to inspect the oil pickup and inside the oil pan. They are finding lots of Grey RTV as well as black RTV. Both grey and black are used to seal the engine in different areas. This is very concerning especially since most of these…
There has been many credible reports with evidence that an excessive amount of RTV is used in the oil pan area, causing enough silicone to become lodged within the lines. This can and will cause the motor to fail as oil starvation can occur. Removing the oil pan would void the warranty and is not in a serviceable location. Subaru of America has been made aware of these reports but has not…
RTV sealant was over applied to the oil pan and timing cover which will result in a clogged oil pickup. Having a clogged oil pick up will starve the engine from oil which yields extremely catastrophic results, especially in a performance sports sedan. This is the same complaint as the others. Thank you.
Had engine trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Subaru WRX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2022/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.