Everyone That Says There Are Problems With The 2015+ Subaru WRX Is WRONG

Everyone That Says There Are Problems With The 2015+ Subaru WRX Is WRONG
The 2015+ Subaru WRX with the FA20 motor is not only extremely reliable and hearty, but is a workhorse. A major part of the car community and even Subaru community has a predisposition against the 15+ WRX, and I just don't know why. Of course the EJ engine was bad, and it had problems, EJ problem this, EJ problem that. But when you put the FA20 vs EJ up to the mark, the FA20 engine prevails. The 2015+ Subaru WRX just all together is an incredible car!
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[@brandonpetrilla1731]

Every engine has its weakness, The FA20 is the angle split connecting rods are known for bending under high boost, The EJ is known for Ring lands cracking, all of these issues are usually prone to driving the car hard and pushing the engine beyond its reliability limits, most people don't want to build the engine from the ground up with forged internals so they will just push the engine until it blows and blame the car, Sadly it's just the world we live in now.

[@nickhall1828]

true. i’ve read that after beating on it even stock. over time it will slowly bend more and more and then disaster lol

[@siriusbreak2212]

You hit the nail on the head here. I'd say 90% of the time, engine failure is likely driver related in regards to the FA20. Albeit beating on it, pushing too much power, not maintaining, etc. If you do that to most motors, it's gonna break sooner than later. Not rocket science. However, I wouldn't doubt for a moment that there are a number of cases where it went south despite good maintenance & driving habits. Again, no manufacturer is immune to this happening. Also, I do want to touch on what you said about the common misconceptions with Subaru. Another YT-er (Scotty Kilmer) did a video on a 2021 Subaru WRX STi. He spoke quite highly of it, and even mentioned that the headgasket issues were a thing of the past for the most part. Yet, some knucklehead had to reply to to my comment making a crack about the headgasket. I told him he was a few generations too late with it 🤣.

[@curtisdc312]

Yeah exactly, if I'm not mistaken the head gaskets are now multilayered

[@RandomAxiom]

I own a 2020 WRX, and previously a 2012 WRX. Both modified. I installed a COBB turbo back exhaust and COBB SF intake on a OTS tune. That was fine. Had a shop install a 3 port BCS and AOS then pro tune. Car ran pretty good, a couple weird idle issues, but I was running 90 OCT in Alaska (tuned for 90 octane). Then I moved and had a fantastic shop/tuner install e85 conversion, FMIC, fuel pump, turbo inlet, BOV and flex tune up to E60. The car runs better than ever and makes 386whp and 368wtq with E60. Makes about 290whp and 326wtq with E10. I take care of it, oil changes, regular 30k services, etc. The car runs great, and I expect it will for long past 100k miles. My EJ, needed a new turbo at 103k, but from what I've read that is normal. Otherwise both engines have been amazing. I agree with you. I think most problems, not all but most, are because the car was not properly cared for or abused. I never launch my car. You can definitely have fun with this car without abusing it. I plan on keeping my 2020 after it stops being my daily. I think I'll just buy a second car or truck and this will just become my toy. I've put too much money into it that I will never see back on a trade-in or private sale to make it worth it for me.

[@theebckyrd]

Great vid man! Been pushing 388 whp on flex fuel in my wrx for over a year and a half and not a single issue. As long as you listen to your car and do its proper maintenance anything can be reliable

[@Turbolious]

Just dont change any parts, that flex fuel is valuable right now. Since Cobb killed the flex fuel tuning for right now at least.

[@reemeruxd]

Also I’ve heard of someone with 400k+ mile FA20 in their 2013 BRZ. Absolutely nuts

[@SpecializedP2Ler]

I get head gasket, rod knock and burning oil jokes all the time. I've just joined in on them and say things like "I did the head gasket delete" "good reason to buy a flat 6" "someone's gotta make up for the lack of burning oil due to EV's" 🤣😂 and then most of my friends ask to try it out. Lol

[@dhaug]

I had a 2015 Premium WRX, and can vouch for the reliability. Nothing major ever happened in the 7 years and 100,000 km I put on it. Solid car, well put together, and loads of fun to drive.

[@downsouthman1wastook]

I also have a 2015 WRX Premium and now 112k miles. Solid car. I just now starting modding. Only major work done till now was at 80k, clutch, flywheel, pressure plate was replaced. I bought the car at 27k and could tell that previous owner didn't know how to drive manuals. Other than that, no other issues during my ownership.

[@SCarolinaX]

2018 here with 90k. I have been proactive in the maintenance because I enjoy working on this platform. Oh yeah, and it’s been tuned since 40k and has around 300whp. Love it. Drive it close to 500 miles a week.

[@goldentrucker7921]

Sold mine after 14k miles. Bought a Tacoma & 2021 gt mustang. The coyote pulls like a freight train compared to the wrx . Was waiting for the next gen sti, but that dreams over. Now gr corolla, next generation civic type r , Nissan z, manual supra, mach 1 mustang with the legendary Tremec 6 speed. If I get used then it's going to be c6 z06, or c7 grand sport. Enjoy your content, but man. Subaru let us down big with that new generation . Keep up the solid uploading.

[@gottagofest1610]

May I ask what you think about the new GR 86 or BRZ? I was looking into an STI but It's gone sadly...

[@-16-wrx-]

Agreed. My 2016 has every mod under the sun on flex. Protuned since Jan of 2017. Zero issues

[@STACKS733]

Absolutely right man!! I never understood the hate for the fa20; I run "stage 3" daily and keep up with everything and it runs flawlessly

[@dylanthompson9983]

You're really starting to step up your cinematic game bro, love seeing your content 😎

[@brendenc.2683]

i just got a 2015 wrx a couple of weeks ago with 113k miles on it all stock, so far everything seems good. peak boost at 21.8psi, pulls smooth. runs great. Was well maintained by the previous owner, clutch and throw-out bearing changed at 90k. Guess time will tell how she holds up. The noisy fuel injectors are nerve racking though, i heard that's normal on D.I. engines?

[@qyixs8224]

Yes it is completely normal to hear a slight ticking noise from the injectors fret not ma friend

[@jackx9274]

I agree, I have one at 50K miles and reading about these things I think it mostly comes down to the fact that general statements can't be made when you are talking about an adult with reliability on his mind who does all regular maintenance or maybe frequent oil changes etc. who knows how to treat a car ... and a kid who is ignoring the maintenance and trying to do 4 wheel burnouts dropping the clutch every day (this won't work stock so don't try it). These scenarios are not comparable. I really think that because the car is popular with the "go fast crowd" that it's ownership really skews toward more inexperienced drivers and/or ones that will beat on and rip around with the car on a daily basis than most. If you drive a Camry or Lexus like you're trying to break it every day, they won't be reliable after a while either. The other obvious issue is tuning/mods. If you take two pools of owners and one has predominantly young men ripping around and then adding tunes and mods to the car ... what do you think will happen to the reliability ratings!? This group of people should be taken out and treated differently and have little to do with the reliability of a well driven/maintained stock ride. If most owners were young men modding Volvo wagons (one of most reliable cars ever I hear) we would hear lots about issues with them too. It's just not the same thing. Change your oil often and drive right and you can still rip and redline here and there. If you're doing it more often than not ... budget more $. Best of luck to all trying to hit the 250K+ mark! They won't be making em like these anymore.

[@PIPEFITTERENGINEER]

EJ engines and the head gasket issue was due to the chemistry of the coolant. That was corrected. Bent connecting rods happen to irresponsible drivers that want to do burnouts on dry pavement with a AWD vehicle. Doing burnouts is bad, causes a lot of stress on the engine. It is like waking up in the morning and without warming up try to lift 500 punds of the floor. Something will break. That is why the Limited slip diferential was invented, to give more traction, avoid overheating the differential and let the engine do the work without stressing engine internals.

[@djustan3373]

I only had issues with AC had to be replaced at 60k miles. Dealer in my country refused to do it on warranty knowing that my car is 2021

[@Dannyb201]

The real problem is that like you said, almost eveyone owning a WRX is tuning it in any wrong possible ways

[@wilkensbrito2879]

after 112000 mileages, I finally got a head gasket leak. I will replce both sides and do the timing cover gasket as well as I check the inside.

[@johnconcentrius]

I used to have a 2018 50th Anniversary WRX making 350whp flex fuel catted w/ a full sti transmission swap I never had issues, put 45k+ miles on all the mods before selling. I paid for a high quality street tune, drove the car casually 90% of the time, and only launched it a handful of times. Get quality parts, get a good tune, maintenance, and not being a total ape with the throttle you're good. I'm confident to say I could have achieved 100k miles with my old setup. I want to say I believe people underestimate a quality street tune for any vehicle. It's how OEM's do it. Cars don't spend their life on the dyno. Also never try to get the highest hp possible, tune it to make the engine happy and accept the hp you get. Dyno's should be for grabbing consistent numbers in between street tunes. Lots of people would stop blowing shit up this way.

[@reemeruxd]

the challenge with buying these used now that i’ve seen is you can get one that looks stock and find out later it was tuned to the moon and then put back to stock. this could go for any car but i just feel wrx’s get modified by a much higher percentage of owners than other sports cars

[@michaeldaniels6867]

Subarus get a bad reputation because of the owners. The are quite reliable if maintained properly and all scheduled maintenance intervals are followed. Good vid bro ✌😎

[@1993edddie]

I have a 2018 wrx limited 96k and got it with 30k gone through 2 clutches and flywheels and on my second engine and transmission. Just had my transmission rebuilt. In and out of the shop every 10-20k mileage. 😂

[@1993edddie]

I honestly think it's the dealers fault for not knowing how to work on this car. I just recently got everything sorted out. I still need to fix the pcv lines because it's leaking oil.

[@Pull0utPete]

I got a 19 premium in April and the only mods I plan to do for it after warranty are the intake and reliability mods, AOS, oil pan, etc. I just see so many mixed reviews for oil changes every 3k miles or 5k etc. It's a weird community to come into because everything is either one side of the spectrum or the other.

[@jpaez82]

As an owner of a 2017 wrx premium from new, now 78k later, i can say the car solid. I stay on top of the maintenance, and i am current on everything. It is not cheap, but not super expensive or needy like german cars. This car is not for someone who is broke. You need some money or else you will hate the car. Clean MAP sensor every 30k.

[@PIPEFITTERENGINEER]

I like Subarus. The only car maker that still uses metal valve covers and metal oil pans. The bad part of turbo subaru engines is the plastic turbo inlet that is prone to flexing. (There is a recall for that) On my 2015 WRX it flexed and the O-ring was sucked by the turbo and partially destroyed some of the compressor blades which is made of aluminum. I had to get a new turbo. Grimm speed makes the same turbo inlet in aluminum, it is the exact part but in metal. I have worked on may cars and these have plastic valve covers, oil pans and thermostat housing. Nissan has plastic valve covers. Ford cars and some pickup trucks, BMW, Audi comes with plastic Oil pan and valve cover (Changing to aluminum is what they call performance parts.) Chrysler: plastic valve covers and plastic thermostat housing (even on Hemi engines)

[@SvendsenWorks]

Enjoyed the video and I agree on many points! It is a good all around engine, but the mix of tuners knowledge and abusive drivers is probably responsible for many failures. Tuning safeguards can be implemented so that they can take abuse better, just requires a bit of understanding of the physical limitations vs available tuning strategies. The FA20 engine and stock turbo will gladly give you all the boost/torque in an operating range that the engine wasn't designed to handle.

[@Blue_Ghost-X]

I have a 2015 WRX. 6 months after I bought it new the trans gave out. Replaced under warranty. One year of ownership the fuel pump went out it left me stranded in the middle of nowhere Wyoming. It was great after that until 2 years ago I had a bunch of electrical problems. 6 months ago the cam carriers started leaking oil. That alone was a $4,000 job the dealer had to pull the motor. I’ve kept my WRX stock except for muffler deletes. I have never beat on it. I do give it some gas time to time nothing crazy. Don’t get me wrong I love the car but I feel like it doesn’t love me back.

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Woah! Crazy experience! I have never heard of someone that dealt with so many issues! I assume you bought it used? (I wonder if it was a full build running flex that was put back together - might explain the fuel pump and electrical issues)

[@lucian7182]

Best advice for subies is buy em new get an extended warranty and sell em when the warranty is over. They are extremely pricey to keep on the road long term. I had a Wrx blow an engine they wanted 11k to rebuild it.

[@Blue_Ghost-X]

@@lucian7182 I agree. Extended warranty 100%. Right Before that warranty expires sell the car and move on to a more reputable brand. Again, I love Subaru but they don’t love me back 😞

[@palphimsurgtech]

This video coming right in time for my protune coming may 4th. Looking forward to it.

[@AutoEnthusiast]

woop woop! Good luck! Who are you tuning with?

[@palphimsurgtech]

@@AutoEnthusiast im getting protuned locally here in Minnesota at JM Automotive.

[@TurbosPokeShop]

I hope its reliable. Im trying to get a limited. About 19k dollars with 100k miles. Crazy expensive.

[@skateboard987654321]

The FA20 is a great motor. The issue with these cars are the clutches.

[@lonewolf7164]

Most problems are people who throw parts on their cars without research, crappy tune or no tune, and no maintenance. I have a 2012 hyundai veloster and we know the engine problems they have. I'm at 168k miles on it. Now I also have a 19 wrx and no problems as well.

[@claudge6377]

I have a 2015. I hope the engine does not crap out, but the clutch died at 70k and the AC compressor at 78k ($5k in 6 mo is too much!). 2008 impreza needed a new head gasket at 90k miles due to leak. no more subarus for me.

[@19Herofade92]

If you check owners manual, the clutch should last at least 50k miles. So 70k is pretty good. All depends on driving habits. And for your 2008, that was the worst year for any Subaru. Valve cover and head gaskets leaked on like 90% of them. I own a 2018 wrx protuned pushing 300WTQ on stock clutch at 43k miles right now and still going strong. I drive spiritedly every time. I am prepared 'Looking forward to' replacing the clutch for a lightweight flywheel and stage 1 clutch once this stock one decides to go.

[@zulander1002]

They'll trying to get the value down by saying it's unreliable. The people buying know dam sure they're gonna get a WRX even if the gasket blows everyday.

[@aarynnmyers1637]

I know this is a year late but, maybe someone will answer..😅 I financed one it's a 16 base 6spd 107k on it real clean for NW PA. What all should I just go ahead and replace as a precautionary maintenance

[@aarynnmyers1637]

I will add it's untouched only a catback and shrt shifter. Everything else is stock and I had the full car fax there wasn't anything wrong and a certified shop did all the maintenance on time

[@xxravenfan22xx94]

I did an intake and a catback and a tune and my motor blew due to a rod bending its looking like an 5-8k fix i will never buy one again. I have an aos and cyl 4 cooling mod its as reliable as the most unreliable audi with those mods

[@TheJines123]

That's an awesome video. I have never had any experience with the fa20 engine. But I've only only ej Subarus. I've had 12 of them now and I have never had ringland failure or a spun rod bearing. But I'm adamant on maintenance and do everything when it's supposed to be done at the right time. My friend looking in a bone stock WRX with 70,000 miles on it and I've been showing him a bunch of videos about this car is because he's nervous about them because of what everyone else says and thinks about these cars. Really what I see from all these people is that they have no idea what they are talking about and they assumed everything instantly without even knowing what the situation isn't how it occurred. Boggles my mind but like the other guy said it's the world we live in

[@SK-tr1wo]

STI is so prone to ringland failure especially when boost is engaged and/or when you reach 4K+rpms

[@TheJines123]

@SK-tr1wo It's completely avoidable. They are only "prone" to it because of the lack of cooling or lack of fuel mods with the extra power given to them. It's pretty simple. Heck, I've seen people lose a cylinder over the mistake of not running 91/93 octane. And yes in boost is when it mostly occurs. You can't run all these mods with no tune. I see that more than anything else. It's sad

[@Blue_Ghost-X]

Nonetheless I like your channel and I will def sub. Keep up the work bro!

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Much love!

[@Blue_Ghost-X]

@@AutoEnthusiast after all the issues I’ve had I don’t plan on selling my Rex. It comes down to love and enthusiasm. We are the ones who keep the community alive. The FA20 is a good engine. The trans is reliable and I agree problems happen no matter the manufacturer. These cars will hold value and credibility in the car scene as the years go by. I respect your knowledge in the platform. Don’t let it go you’ll regret it. There’s a reason why I haven’t sold mine. I’m at 100,000 miles.

[@JORGEGARCIA-uu8zi]

Super reliable engine and the best in my opinion, my brother's has 160,000 miles!

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Woop woop, great mileage

[@l.c.jr.7792]

Nothing other than "absolutely" to say.. listen to the car is #1 Agree with everything! All platforms have their issue, but as long as to take care of it,, even the worst will last.. Just look at how far hyundai has come!! I remember when they were shit, now they are catching up with the better brands

[@paulmarsdensr1095]

I am glad to have owned my 2017 WRX. The only problem I had with it was my clutch going out @101K. That was my fault. I should have changed the clutch @40K or 50K. The 2015+ WRX is a very reliable car. I own the 2020 STI now and I'm enjoying my drives to work and home everyday. I'm looking forward to the challenges I will have ahead now owning an EJ25 engine. A great video brother. But a brand new Toyota Tundra. Stay safe.-

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Your clutch lasted to 101k!? Incredible

[@paulmarsdensr1095]

@@AutoEnthusiast Yes thank you I couldn't believe it. I know better than to not change that clutch @at least 50K miles. That was my fault. Keep looking for that STI, you will find it.

[@Watson-ru4jn]

Curious how reliable these newer wrx's are when used at like a second car/ weekend car. Used to ls trucks and cars that are pretty sturdy for hundreds of thousands of miles even when beat on. Can I tune it to roughly 350-400whp and rip around on the weekends without breaking a lot of things? Was probably looking for sti but if doable on regular wrx would consider that too

[@isaiahconnors1889]

I know an impreza and wrx are different but before I traded my impreza for my wrx I beat the shit out of my impreza and was horrible about the maintance on it and it never left me on the side for the road. I've had only good experiences with the fa20. When I push my car to 300-330 whp and nothing more, I'm hoping it holds it which it should

[@joshpinchuk7061]

Is it possible to tune these for efficiency ie MPG, versus performance? And if that's the case, is it possible to have a way to switch between efficiency and performance tunes with the 'flip of a switch'?

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Yes and no, and not really. Lots of deep questions here. The short is you will get better mpg adjusting driving habits.

[@ryanwarrey2381]

My stock 18 WRX is in the shop for knock 😭(FA20F)

[@lucian7182]

There are people out there that get 200k on a stock fa20 . there are fa20 that have blown stock and modded. I come across a few people that needed new motors at 60-70k. Japanese cars are known for quality and reliability but let’s be honest Subaru is at the very bottom of that category as far as Japanese cars.

[@arianrivera9893]

good points although i blew my stock fa20 at 32k

[@derekrobertson9583]

Oil changed every 3k don't launch it and still parked in the driveway possible bad sproket in lh intake cam and bad ecu...... it's stock.

[@sgomez805]

I agree with you. If you use quality parts with a quality tune and aren’t pushing the limits the FA20 is a good platform. I have a FBO e50 setup on my 15 WRX and the car feels and runs great for over two years now. Conservative tune, 350 whp and 350 trq.

[@ttjosvke]

FBO e50 with only 350whp …??? that truly is conservative haha.

[@sgomez805]

@@ttjosvke yes but that’s on a Dynopack dyno. All dyno’s read different. Anything above 350 trq is risky on the FA20. 350 is plenty for a daily street car. At the end of the day numbers are just numbers, What’s most important is how the car feels and how it drives in my opinion.

[@lawrencesykkmon2064]

2016 200240miles at the moment

[@MElekiaZ]

Fa20 in brz are reliable?

[@BobbyB910]

The car world changed to lazy worthless builds that only last if you baby it…..I blame “stage” builds and the lazy modifying system we have in place. Nobody actually knows how to work on cars and get your hands dirty to build a good build that won’t blow up after 1k miles

[@danielmata6574]

Are you still looking into buying an sti?

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Yeah but waiting the market out a little

[@MrTyrans]

lol we get it u cant sell your car

[@AutoEnthusiast]

uh what?

[@Turbolious]

Its too easy to sell these cars, they retain value pretty much the best in the whole market. Dealer just appraised my 2019 for 31k with 16k miles on it. Thats 1k less than i bought it for 3 years ago new.

[@fa20guy27]

been pushing 400whp off my stock motor wrx 20k miles now lol

[@Turbolious]

Thats for sure pushing it a little bit, but if you made it 20k already then you know how to drive it and not break it. Most dont and will call the WRX shit when they break it and its there fault.

[@fa20guy27]

@@Turbolious proper mods, proper tune, proper maintenance. i bang gears in this car every day

[@rbodnar217]

This is the absolute worst market to buy a used car in right now. Everyone wants top dollar for their neglected junk. With how much the cost of parts has gone up past 2 years especially anything emission related, its like paddling up stream. Your better of buying new.

[@InfoumusMOBB]

The FA20 is glass. It’s not 2.5 glass but it is. In a market ware there’s a lot of engines that can take pretty good beating there at the bottom. Boxer engines are Notorious for failing even with the best parts and tunes. That’s just a fact. And I’ve had a FA20 tuned and the old 2.5 tuned with no issues but I’m not naive to the fact of I was very limited and had to chose carefully on what and who did stuff to my car. Meanwhile GTI/R owners had to worry very little other then there manual transmission which have to be beefed up.

[@lucian7182]

I personally think the fa20 is nearly as fragile as the ej it just succumbs you different fail points. But yeah I agree boxer engines in general are not a great design. But that’s the trade off rotary engines weren’t great either but people love them.

[@Dragunov302]

Selling it for an Sti

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Reliability will go down just fyi

[@remissiveslave]

3000 mile oil change, pretty tame driving, all maintenance items checked regularly, no overboosting (even though these do that on their own if you're not careful), pretty lean stock tune (good job Subaru), only running 93, still had rod bearing failure. Before 50k make any excuse you loyalist cultist want, this is unjustifiable. even though this car is marketed at ENTHUSIASTS and RALLY HERITAGE (I get it, it's not a RACE car) it's still a joke how feeble this motor is if you do anything more than get groceries or go for a little cruise.the only way to make these reliable is to get a good tune which can be hit or miss. May be reliable if you drive like a 90 yr old does in an Oldsmobile lol.

[@grug1132]

as an owner of a 2015 wrx, you are wrong.

[@AutoEnthusiast]

uh? Defend you point! I am more so saying this so we can all hear about your experience. I would generally say I have much more exposure than you to these VA's, but maybe I am wrong! Always looking to learn.

[@charlieecv]

When you drive any car like crap your going to have problems especially people who drive high performance cars like there 16 of course your going to have problems. Main reason why there are less of these cars on the road from stupid people totaling them or just driving them to the junk yard.

[@zcmdzpp127]

2.4>2.0

[@AutoEnthusiast]

You think?? Motor we know versus motor we don’t

[@Thankyou_3]

Subarus are prone to have more oil and coolant leaks than average cars.

[@no-name5090]

Glad I bought a Evo X

[@AutoEnthusiast]

Sheeesh

[@Imesswithcars]

Problem number 1 you need 7k make 360 wheel

[@chrisblomdahl5585]

Only if you are not mechanically inclined. As an auto mechanic and halfway machinist, On a stock EJ257 the biggest issue with RPM lag was the head flow, some mild porting and they rev like a 2.0! I can port the heads, swap out down pipe,hack off the cats, move to external waste gate, MBC, bigger injectors, fuel pump/rails etc, a backyard tune and be pushing 450+whp on 98 and depending on tune and for less than $3500.. This same build would cost you 9k-11k with labor depending on shop all because they have to take the heads off.. Learn to do your own machine work, manufacturers do not focus on performance or care if the engine can breathe. Their goal is low rpm low compression high HP, which is very hard to blow up. Change the cams and you can blow these engines overnight, but easily make 500hp provided you can supply the air and fuel.