Subaru WRX - Common Problems | Buyers Guide + Owners Advice

The Subaru WRX is an awesome car, but they have some major problems to look out for. This video will teach you about the top 10 common problems! (plus a few bonus ones)
This video covers the top common problems and common failures of the Subaru Impreza WRX, specifically those with the EJ205, (1999-2005 in Japan, 2002-2205 in the USA, though these also apply to the EJ255 models (2006-2014).
1) Oil Leaks
2) High Oil Consumption
3) Spun Bearings
4) Uppipe cat
5) Headgasket failure
6) Timing belt and Waterpump
7) Weak Transmissions
8) Rubber Part Failure
9) Wheel bearing Failures
10) Rust
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www.cashedoutcars.com
End Screen Music: 3mbrace - Issues spoti.fi/3hpG1b0
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#CommonProblems #BuyersGuide #SubaruWRX

[@maximwagenhauser7195]

I have an 05 Japanese WRX wagon, and it has been running fine with zero issues for the two years I have owned it. It's very reliable and actually convinces me to stay with Subaru in the future.

[@CashedOutCars]

Happy to hear it! Just keep an eye out for this stuff to catch it early if it does start to go wrong!

[@dougrodriguez4977]

2002-2005 is probably the most reliable generation wrx. I’ve had several GD generation wrx from that era, outside of replacing valve cover gaskets and regular maintenance there have been zero problems. Spun rod bearings are common on neglected and abused cars, not so much otherwise. Broken ringland is a failure more common on ej255 and ej257 that are poorly tuned. Head gasket failure is not a common issue on the ej205. I give you credit for creating a video on my beloved GD’s but most of your assertions about common failures are not exactly the way you represent. I have a 2002 wrx sedan and a 2005 wrx wagon that have very high miles but are still running like new. Preventive maintenance is key. Rust prevention is super important, that I agree with you about.

[@XD3blaze]

I'm looking at buying one that's got 160k miles. Would you consider that to be a red flag?

[@dougrodriguez4977]

@@XD3blaze no but rust would be, look carefully, don’t just rush into a situation and don’t over pay.

[@drsjr1]

2004 wrx wagon, original owner, 156k miles. original clutch!

[@garagespecr1]

I have an 03 with an ej205. Between my 5000km oil changes, my car only uses about 5mm on the dipstick. so it goes from full to a little less full. Very lucky for a high mileage engine. I've had no reliability issues with mine for 2 years, the car is at 261000km, best thing to do is use a valve cleaner every 6 months.

[@dorianleclair7390]

If your cam seals and rear main seals are leaking you could have blocked pvc valve causing increased crankcase pressure making your seals leak. A stuck open pvc valve could cause oil consumption too.

[@wgbskate31]

Top tier video!!!!

[@AlcoholAndAnimeNight]

Great video. I love how its to comment HOW MUCH oil your Subaru burns not IF it burns, lol

[@jaycejimmerson173]

Nice Saabaru! Mines in the shop now for bent valves as the timing belt tensioner broke.

[@zackarystuhan7617]

I have a 2005 that is all stock besides exhaust. And it was driving fine. And I was driving it a little hard. And turned a corner and now it won't build boost and smoke blue a little bit when I Rev it

[@BlokeWithTheWRX]

2012 WRX Hatchback owner; 203,000km on it. Fully stock engine, turbo, transmission etc... Uses oil frequently but I've discovered a leak from my valve cover gasket (driver side). Was using 10w50 oil to help slow consumption but did not help. Was using 1 Liter a fortnight. Used an expensive engine flush to help unstick the piston rings (blowby) and clean out everything inside. Using a 10w40 now and engine has drastically reduced its usage by alot, just still leaking. And runs smoother and better than ever. It's got alot of km and everything is from the factory, still runs like a beast. People don't believe in engine flushes and that's fine because I was the same, but I think it's helped in my case with possible sticky piston rings. Oil usage in these cars ain't no joke, stay safe and happy boosting!

[@Joshua_Pokefan]

Had to replace transmission and turbo on my 02 wrx

[@courtneynoclass]

Any common issues with the 2017 wrx?

[@AbdulMalik-zv6zd]

Mine doesn't burn any oil. Subaru's love gentleness and good maintenance and in return offer splendid service. 05 wrx hatchback non-turbo

[@turbosydney]

Wrx? Non-turbo? What??

[@zesty8652]

sooo just an impreza?

[@AbdulMalik-zv6zd]

@@turbosydney I know it crawls but it gets me there. Hits 180 effortlessly with 250kg load on a country road to Ethiopia

[@AbdulMalik-zv6zd]

@@zesty8652 where the budget fits 😂

[@Whiteboy3dwin]

Recently bought a 07 subaru impreza na Hawkeye , ( this is before knowing about how quick oil can burn ) one day I started hearing a big clanking noise from the motor , being there was no oil , I know had to switch to 15w-40 and use ring real smoke repair on every oil change , the smokes been getting a lil bad but isn’t always the bother , the oil is definitely burning up I’ve gone thru quite a bit of oil in less than a month. A friend highly recommended a AOS and a cylinder 4 coolant mod to help with this situation, it does seem like maybe at some point my motor will blow but honestly I have no idea , any tips/suggestions ?

[@slowwrx1049]

Your motors fucked bud.

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

Man that is a tough lesson to learn.. sucks bro, but aside from using heavy oil, leady thats what we always did Years ago, but you're prob gonna fave to fo a re-fresh to it at some point, hell of a lot Cheaper than buying sone unknown condition motor and really not hard to do if you read up on it, watch sone instructional vids and take it 1 section at a job rhen you fo the kob(bearings, rings, seals and orib valve guides and whatever else)..

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

**lots of pictures how wires are routed amd laying bolts and stuff out in an orderly fashion to make reassembly self explanatory..

[@mattwhite-0564]

Im surprised there’s not an item that just refills your oil if ever low

[@cyberoperator9889]

How can you check oil at gas station when you have to let it sit for 20 mins or more just to get a reading

[@caveman4093]

Get a oil gauge

[@skeletonz00387]

Bro I have the base 2.5i impreza trim and that shit uses a lot of oil like I have to top up a lot

[@gioootalks4850]

I bought my wrx two weeks ago, drove 500 miles only problem is that one morning after turning it one, it immediately turned off, and then I had to give it gas and it kept wanting to stall and wouldn’t give the right amount of gas I was giving. I unplugged the MAP and it started up and idled fine, so I cleaned the sensor and it’s been good, like 150 miles. I have an engine swapped jdm ej20 with a catless exhaust and cold air intake, do I have to tune? I’m about to buy an accessport but it’s a jdm, so I have to go to a tuner right? Do I need to get a stock intake and a catted exhaust??

[@thatcherwalls389]

just get it tuned. With a subaru if you put a sticker on it you should get it tuned. I’ve heard that you don’t NEED an access port. My tuner said it’s a waste of money 🤷

[@gioootalks4850]

@@thatcherwalls389 yea now it is now a waste, it’s tuned now runs beautifully, I think it’s an ej208 Frankenstein engine. Still does that weird start up sometimes, I think it’s to do with the Idle control valve

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

@@gioootalks4850 yeah, they can do funky things-- grounds snd connections are a HUGE deal, die-electric grease and clean, tight connevtions are a must and adding at least a "big 3" wiring to all cars pretty much is a big help..

[@skatermetalmatt]

im buying a 03 with a jdm and bigger turbo today. i hope it will last. ill check the oil daily

[@CashedOutCars]

Best of luck with it!

[@jarradooo]

How’s it going so far??

[@skatermetalmatt]

@@jarradooo verry good its got 17,000 miles on the build and 63,000 miles in the jdm motor

[@jarradooo]

@@skatermetalmatt that’s awesome!

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

@@skatermetalmatt cool, MAINTENANCE, and more maintenance!! Aldo, anytime you are servicing it i would clean connections, reassemble with dielectric grease with tight clean connections. Plus doing the "big 3" is a must on every car out there!!

[@williepie]

After fixing my valve cover leaks my ej205 consumes very little oil. Might add a splash every other gas fill up. 130k miles

[@CashedOutCars]

Awesome, enjoy it!

[@peterkontorovich4718]

How was that job? I have to do mine, did you just loosen the engine mounts and jack it up a bit? How long did it take?

[@williepie]

​@@peterkontorovich4718 It wasn't bad. The drivers side is more difficult. I didn't need to jack it up, but you probably should. There's one valve cover bolt that's pretty hard to get to, next to the frame on the bottom. Use a small amount of gasket maker. Also look up the torque pattern. Takes about an hour to do each side. 24 hours to dry.

[@Sick0zz]

Am just getting into cars and i have a question, if i bought a car which has a stock turbo and the turbo broke, can i run the car without a turbo?

[@dtplaysmc8841]

Yes and no. The car will most likely still run without it, but you will have to find a way to filter the air running into the motor and plug off the oil lines intended for the turbo. The intercooler will likely restrict airflow more than aid it because air isn't being forced into it like it would with a turbo. There are a few considerations needed to make it work flawlessly without a turbo, but you can make it work.

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

**finding even an older used turbo in the meantime would be a HUGE improvement iver running no turbo at all...

[@BabyCharlotteschannel]

Junkyards are your best friend, and classified ads with parts too!!

[@Guizareis]

I am planning to get one wrx sw 04 only 130k km mint condition. Any thoughts? ✌️

[@walkjac]

congrats and have fun

[@josephs1326]

I’m at 130k miles! Subie doesn’t consume any oil 👍🏽

[@CashedOutCars]

Good stuff! My 92X aero doesn't consume much either, 133k!

[@RoushiTei]

should i get a 05' wrx?

[@CashedOutCars]

They're fun cars! Just keep up with your oil level and changes, and maintenance

[@RoushiTei]

@@CashedOutCars Okay! If and when I get one. I will keep that in mind! Thank you for making this video so I can be in the know!

[@jukebox9175]

i got on 05 wrx. i fucking love it man

[@camreece4811]

is this your new build?

[@CashedOutCars]

This one is my friend's car! I have my Saab 92X aero, but it's basically a complete build. I'm going to keep playing with Miatas!

[@LemurSCC]

plan o nbuying on this coming wednesday, 200k miles 3 previous owners, looks like it has some rust, heard a lot of negatives but i still want one, anything to watch out for with one on that high of mileage?

[@CashedOutCars]

Watch out for everything mentioned in this video :) and get a feel for how well it was maintained

[@LemurSCC]

@@CashedOutCars ended up buying it! your video helped a lot, thank you!!!

[@gus2299]

@@LemurSCC any update on the car reliability wise?

[@LemurSCC]

@@gus2299 so, i bought it, and i must say, reliability wise? garbage. previous owners took no care at all, has major rust issues in the trunk, and it was knocking when i bought it. unless you have the budget n mental capacity to go into the rabbit hole i suggest avoiding it, or saving up so you can get one with guaranteed quality.

[@Joshuadrivescar]

I bought my car Tuesday. Last night Mid 2nd gear cruising the car jerked, stalled threw misfire and rich code, wouldn't Rev past 2k and after clearing only goes to 3k in 2nd

[@CashedOutCars]

Sorry to hear that.. does it smoke or make any odd noises?

[@foresterboy2011]

No disrespect fella but the car is 17 - 21 years old and the car has probably seen several owners and you can bet that each one has thrashed the nuts out of it so it's no wonder that it's going to see a few things go wrong. As you said the 2 litre engine is far stronger than the 2.5 litre but the engine is not going be bullet proof if its always driven hard continuously. I have an SH forester with the diesel version engine and although its done over a 100 k miles, I have no issues at all.

[@CashedOutCars]

Every car will see things go wrong, this is just what commonly goes first on these :)

[@ralphkammerer2204]

I have one from 04 and it burns no oil :). Idk if its the second motor or not or if it was opened up before but its bonedry all around and everything just works :) BUT it has 230000km on it xD. Maybe someone knows why it wont build up boost when the temperatures climb above 30-35 degrees celsius? :P

[@michaelcarydakis790]

USE STAR HEAD GASKETS THEIR THE BEST

[@aaronl8609]

Im considering buying an 09 with 109k I wonder if thats when the turbo or timing belt will break

[@tropiccalibackyardgardener6241]

Timing belt is at 90k

[@buddybro1000]

I have been leasing Subarus for 20 years and have never met a mechanic in my life, just leased my new 2020 Wrx for another 3 years. I’m old and was in the car buisness for half my life. Just listen to pops

[@Megacatares]

Problems, putting those rims on that car to begin with

[@CashedOutCars]

The owner of the car liked em, that’s all the matters

[@ThePolaroid669]

you're very gorgeous!

[@rapidresponse9833]

All I’ve learnt is stay the fuck away from Subaru 😂haha

[@remissiveslave]

If you know whats best for you avoid this car