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Who knows if the 2009 Subaru WRX has faulty engine builds and is prone to engine failure?

I've been looking at getting a 2009 Subaru WRX wagon due to its performance and winter capabilities. However, thus far over 50 people on the NASIOC site have reported engine failures; Subaru has consequently been replacing the entire turbo engine. Recent posts suggest the faulty engines are from earlier build dates of 8/08 to 9/08. Can anyone confirm this? Subaru has denied knowing anything of this sort.

Public Comments

1. i believe the problem to be in the tune from the factory, not the engine itself. to my knowledge, the manufacturer has released a new tune to be flashed into the car's ecu at the dealership.


2. Absolute, Bull.

   It's the honda guy's trying to put down Subaru.

   Just kid's

   Long time subaru owner.



3. Yeah, Thats just rumor.Subaru has never had such a problem.


4. There were some failures but not that many. You can't go by what is said on NASIOC. Too many kids on there spreading shit. And yes it was in the tune. Subaru recently has been doing some funny things with the tuning. The 08 STI has the same problem too as well as the 07 STI. Nothing wrong with the build it self. Some people were just beating on the engine too much and it was causing problems but there have been service bulletins about it and as far as I know, it's not an issue anymore. Just ask if the car you are looking at either has a build date after the specified time or has had a reflash done to fix any problems. It should say in the thread on NASIOC what months were bad. Thing you need to know is, the new WRX's have been selling pretty well but you never hear people posting about having no problems. Only people who have had a problem post and it spreads and looks like an epidemic. And it's not that the dealer you spoke to is in denial. It's very possible that they have never had one brought in for the problem. Like I said, the percent of failures compared to the units sold is very small.


5. This is a great explanation of why you never buy a first model year car! Subaru needed to push new product out the door to the consumer, so some things went untested, or experimental parts were used. They calculate by their failures what worked and what didn't so they can make the 2010 model perfect. This always happens, look at the 2004 STi vs. the 2005 STi, and who has the most problems.

   Wait until Subaru fine tunes the car by the public testing it, then buy the new redesigned 2010 model, and I doubt you will see those errors.



6. You have to be careful with the information you find on those free public forums. A good deal of it is from people who do not even own the cars but delight in making everyone who does think there is a problem. Subarus are good solid cars and the manufacturer has always stood behind any problem that arises. The would only deny a problem if there was not a problem. You need to visit some Honda and Toyota forums and spread the same kind of junk there - haha!!