Is The 08 - 14 Subaru WRX Reliability Really THAT Bad!?

[@DRGOAT]

If you own a Subie, how’s your reliability been? 🤔

[@kaiserwilhelm1938]

Clutch failed at ~30k, likely previous owner use. AC belt failed at 65k, seized AC/Heat unit. Power steering started failing around ~100k. I deferred maintenance, did not change oil as often as required etc. Despite that, it was a decent, reliable vehicle that was shit load of fun to drive. As a note, if you lose the factory gas cap and replace with anything other than exact factory spec, you may suddenly lose use of AWD due to a code. In inclement conditions this can be life threatening so take note!

[@ninjaknight-jn9ky]

@@kaiserwilhelm1938 on a manual this is literally impossible it's a viscous and the 4/5eat isn't a very complicated transmission and is unlikely to care, my gc had a check engine light for 30k miles because it was missing a cat and didn't care I don't think that's a thing. Unless your transmission was also having problems.

[@vinaivue]

I'm the original owner of my 2013 WRX and I've never had any problem (maybe I'm lucky). No engine mods. Over 100k miles now. I just kept up with the recommended maintenance. Replaced my clutch, timing belts, water pump at 100k. I'm on my 3rd set of spark plugs (always annoying to replace), 2nd set of brake pads, 3rd set of tires, and 4th windshield hahaha. Mine has difficulty going into reverse but it's always been like that. These cars have really become this generations 240sx. They get beat to shit. If you have one, hang on to it.

[@vjuOG]

blew up at 80k but bought it used so sucks for me lol

[@goosesayshonk9781]

I own a 2018 Impreza hatch, i got last year. Has been great. But ive been wanting a WRX or even a STI. And i just seen a 2014 STI hatch for sale for around same price of what i still owe on my car.. Imma not go for it immedietly but il think about it and maybe in a month or two if its still there imma test drive it

[@bridgetclinch3678]

I got a 2013 manual and drove it like I stole it for 10 years with no issues

[@Tevin-cc9vr]

I’m glad I’m not the only one. I got my 2012 and put about 3k in it for the clutch and have BEAT it Ever since.

[@Sxulesz]

@@Tevin-cc9vryea they just become unreliable because of the modifications people put on them

[@jayemayyalldamnday]

Stage 2 mine blew up but only because I literally did a motor drain flush I didn't change the oil filter so it was still filled with all that flush hot gas lol

[@jujitsusti7719]

I've a A line import Sti and it's been No issues at all I love it❤💯 its all mainly how you look after them and give any cars some respect and weekly or daily oil checking 👊

[@viclavar9298]

Still driving mine... had to do an engine rebuild though to get it to stage 2. owner before me beat it to death and had mods

[@rowebil00]

I have a 2012. I got it from 49k miles all the way to 215k without a SINGLE issue other than a clutch and headlamp. Not a single other issue whatsoever. Same engine. Same BATTERY. Same starter. NEVER had an issue with battery, starter, staying running, idling, etc. ZERO issues. It has been the most reliable car I've ever witnessed. At 215k miles, it started to have a check engine light and compression issues in a cylinder. I bought a truck in the meantime and have plans to fix the Subaru as just a sh1t and giggle car.

[@davednconfused]

Did you perform any maintenance beyond oil changes? Timing belt, fluids, anything?

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

Mine is just over 200K and runs great. It's stock and has never been messed with. These cars break because kids mod them without knowing where they're doing

[@sasharamirez2335]

The turbo made it to 215k? Astonishing.

[@sasharamirez2335]

@@iHaveTheDocuments The turbo made it to 200k?

[@rowebil00]

@@sasharamirez2335 yes

[@Rappy104]

I’ve heard many times that swapping in the STI gasket immediately fixed the head gasket problems. I’ll give it a shot

[@ryleighd6434]

At around 95k mine got rod knock and blew, was covered by the class action lawsuit. At around 115k the fuel pump went. Then at around 117k the clutch and flywheel needed to be replaced. My car runs and drives really nice, kept her completely stock for reliability and I still love her. She does me good.

[@DRGOAT]

Oh wow! I have heard a bit about the class action lawsuit, but wasn’t sure what all that was going to be covering. Glad to hear you’re still loving it though! 😁

[@outsideboy23]

how much did those things cost ??? i want one

[@Rezparviz]

@@DRGOATdo you know if the lawsuit covers 2008 ?

[@vinaivue]

@@Rezparviz I'm pretty sure it does, but I think there was a specific window to file. You're probably out of luck by now. I didn't have any issues, but they did extend the warranty period for these cars. I just don't remember how much.

[@bennyboyy7]

I will say the WRX was overlooked a lot by Subaru but this generation was finally given some love. It's not perfect by any means but what car is, the head gaskets are fixed, the transmission was given the proper gears (actually has the legacy gt first and second gear, closer 3rd to the legacy gear but not quite the same.) The problem is the young guys who beat the piss out of them and clutch dump, flat foot shift etc... And expect them to take the abuse because they see the rally STI'S doing it. The sti is built for sure no question but the WRX is still a streetable car. They are a rally car at heart not a 70s muscle car with beefy drivetrain.

[@vinaivue]

No car is built for that kind of usage. Race cars break all the time and get rebuilt constantly.

[@bennyboyy7]

​@@vinaivueexactly, I would never expect any car to hold up to constant abuse at the limits for 100k+ miles. I will say that Subaru just has this thing with heat shields for some reason. Nearly all my heat shields have rusted through. But I've never done clutch dumps in my WRX or power shifts. The sti would be the car to do it in but they're still a lightweight car meant for light off-road activities. Not a street machine like a challenger or Camaro or mustang with beefier axles, gears, and just their whole set up in general.

[@nickTeeKaystrickland]

This. The only real problem with these cars, are the people who buy them from my experience...

[@username8644]

My 2011 hatch has 132k miles, zero problems so far. All I do is oil changes every 4-6 months and regular maintenance when needed. It's completely stock which is what makes it reliable, and I don't launch the car everyday. edit: I've even gone a year without changing the oil sometimes too, zero maintenance for an entire year. Didn't lose a drop of oil either and when I did the oil change there was zero metal flakes in the oil.

[@daixer3156]

What does it mean if there is metal flake in the oil? Thanks

[@username8644]

@@daixer3156 Usually it just means that there is some wear occuring between the parts inside the engine, or transmission (or wherever the oil was drained from). So it is metal against metal contact that is causing some metal flakes to come off. It is normal to have some metal flakes, as wear is normal. But if you have a lot of them, or possibly some larger chunks then that is a bad sign, and could also show that something failed inside the part in question, or is going to fail. Edit: the fact I had very little metal flakes means that there is very little wear occurring so it is a sign of a healthy engine and also shows that even after a year the oil was still doing its job. Edit: also you typically will have more wear when the engine hasn't been broken in, so the first oil change will typically have a lot of metal flakes in it or may appear glittery. That's actually why people recommend changing the oil right after the break in period with a new car.

[@Headedhome27]

132k is not that many miles

[@trbopwr79]

Original 2011 sti owner here, no major issues at all because I don't treat it like shit.

[@quintusgrobler9088]

Frankly, it's really hard to gauge the reliability of a car that is almost exclusively purchased to be ridden and/or modded into oblivion.

[@jeffbeerkens5286]

The clutch squeak is the clutch to the gas pedal theres a small thin shaft that turns when you press the clutch you need to juice it with wd-40 it’s closer to the gas pedal which is weird but that’s your problem!!!

[@deathcrane9085]

my 2010 wrx got rod knock at 125k miles fully stock. Also did clutch change at 121k miles. I swapped a jdm ej205 with 69k miles its been a blast. Just really have to do heavy maintenance its not like a honda that'll keep running without maintenance haha i love my narrowbody tho i fell in love with subaru culture 🤙

[@DRGOAT]

I get that! I’ve had some issues with mine, and it’s definitely something that you have to keep up on and not let it go! But yes, you have to really love these cars to want to keep them for a long time haha but man do I love mine!

[@Danno_87]

I had an 05 back in the day and drove the hell out of it with no issues at all. Really want another one. Thanks for the video

[@waybach]

Regret trading my 2012 STI sedan.. but I’m happy with my VB, glad so see the stink eyes getting the love they always deserved

[@codycody1876]

nah you good, VB is very underrated and the new platform is really a upgrade and it's been reliable so far.

[@itguy46176]

The reverse challenge you are not alone. I noticed it shortly after I got mine. Usually try again to go in reverse does it for me, so ya no biggie. Checking your oil consistently is important, they are notorious for oil starvation. Manual says to check every fill up. I check before I take off anywhere.

[@tiravile7330]

my previous subaru clutch pedal also squeaked just the same as yours no matter how much lube i sprayed on it i could never get it to stop squeaking

[@isaacbastian8401]

Gotta love the clutch pedal squeak😂. my 08 wrx has the same thing, SO LOUD

[@DRGOAT]

Oh for sure 😂 I seriously need to get that taken care of!

[@nickTeeKaystrickland]

2011 WRX, 110k miles, no leaking or burning oil, car has been perfection so far. I take care of it, and it does the same for me!

[@Disruptive]

For the transmission having trouble going in to reverse, it happens to me too. What I do is, while holding down the clutch, the instant I try to go into reverse and feel resistance, I’ll quickly put the gear stick in 5th and then 3rd then it goes into reverse smoothly. Something about hitting 5th and 3rd gear “lines” some things up in the transmission allowing it to slip into reverse. Give it a shot next time

[@mitch2152]

To get it in reverse after cold start I just have to push the clutch in ALL THE WAY to the floor

[@owenstauffer6994]

Pretty sure you should do that in all gears bro

[@jeffreyhamilton88]

this guy standing outside making videos in a tornado

[@DRGOAT]

Whatever it takes 🤷‍♂️😂 watch my video on 5 reasons to buy one of these cars, pretty much same thing but with snow 😂😂

[@jeffreyhamilton88]

@@DRGOAT if i buy one of these or the generation before and don’t mod it can i depend on it?

[@DRGOAT]

@@jeffreyhamilton88 I mean it depends on a lot of things. How it’s been treated before you, if it was modded before you…there’s always a chance of having issues. Personally though, I’m sure the previous owner(s) of my car weren’t always gentle on it, and I got it with a few mods, but it has been pretty good to me! Some issues here and there, but I expect some things to happen with any car. In the 2 and half years I’ve owned this car it hasn’t been nearly as bad as people on the internet always made it sound like it would be.

[@jeffreyhamilton88]

@@DRGOAT Thanks for your help and fast reply. You earned a subscriber

[@DRGOAT]

@@jeffreyhamilton88 not a problem man! Thank you I really appreciate it!!

[@bengepp9314]

I've owned a manual transmission Turbo EJ powered Subaru since 99 , 1st a Liberty RS , only cos 2nd synco went 180k I rebuilt the box with full PPG internals groupN ratios Awesome👌🏼The 2012 WRX I bought brand new had had its gearbox replaced under warranty after a babied 5k Strange🤷🏿‍♂️, I now own an 08 sti , so far so good @200k

[@bailyscanga5617]

I have a 2011 manual hatch and it's taken a couple money shifts now with no issues ( I did push in the clutch before it got dangerously high in revs tho )

[@sethrathbone8893]

Just bought a 2014 hatch couple weeks ago. Has 90k miles but with brand new type ra short block. Have driven it 1k miles and almost through with break in period. Had a 2012 wrx for 2 years before this. So no major issues yet. Also haven’t modded the car at all.

[@zlarsen]

I never understood the hate for these, where I’m from these are the most desired and well regarded over any other generation. I’ve had mine since 2017 and still daily drive it to this day and only issues I’ve ran into is a bad steering rack and a cracked radiator. Definitely the most reliable WRX I’ve had and I’ve owned quite a few

[@RobiticDuck]

Just bought one with 168,000kilometers on it. 2011, base hatch WRX. It's my 3rd Subaru, had a BRZ, and a Legacy GT before. And yes, my WRX clutch squeaks a bit too.

[@DRGOAT]

That’s awesome! The clutch squeak seems to be a fairly common thing by the sounds of it 😂

[@jeffbeerkens5286]

@@DRGOAT Clutch squeak is small shaft that goes to clutch to the gas pedal you need to juice the shaft near the gas pedal with wd-40 👍🏼

[@kurtho722]

Still have mine (72k miles currently) after 9 years of owning, zero issues besides replacing the clutch and steering rack.

[@NoHandlesGT]

I agree the reverse gear is such a struggle.

[@GillsAndGears]

Reverse, clutch squeak are both normal subie things 😂 just got mine a year ago today and i love my car with a passion! Another huge subie thing is the center console not closing lol. Oh also the touch screen isnt that good, i would replace that.

[@DRGOAT]

I don’t know how I forgot about the center console 🤦‍♂️😂 that thing has annoyed me so many times!

[@GillsAndGears]

@@DRGOAT i swear subaru does that on purpose 🤣 every subaru 2014 and lower has this problem. I have not seen a single one that closes even at car meets and even shows. The only 1 i have ever seen that closed, the dude said it annoyed him so much that he had to just fix it lmao

[@juliobaires8273]

U need to upgrade ur clutch pedal for that noise

[@Mogul20478]

Bro mine has all three of these issues LOL

[@jeffarcher400]

I was a kid once and didn't realize race engines get torn down every race. Those teams have sponsors. Sorry Dad!

[@Dirty-D]

I have 157k on my 14 hatch stage 2 and it runs perfect!

[@Dusty2040]

I’m trying to get one

[@Dirty-D]

@@Dusty2040 get one! I also have. C6 zo6 and the wrx is 10 times more fun to drive. Obviously not as fast but still more fun.

[@Dusty2040]

@@Dirty-D golly I hope I can find one

[@suzumr2754]

Your firewall spot welds/clutch pedal assembly are on their way out. I can hear it in the video.

[@DRGOAT]

Correct, I mentioned it in the video 😅. I’ll be getting that fixed real soon

[@upsideduck9165]

Planning to get 09 Hatch Impreza N/A as a first car, is it a good idea? I already saved up a lot for the maintenance of it. Do they come with any major issues on the long run?

[@chrisstafford639]

Great car just make sure you get the CARFAX or similar report to make sure it’s had proper maintenance

[@PhyuckYu619]

My 09 was great. Miss that car, it was fast and very versatile.

[@mussie2202]

My 2012 hatch is such a pain to put into reverse. One thing that seems to help is to put it in 1st and then immediately go to neutral and then bang that fucker over to reverse. Seems to be getting worse with age as well lol.

[@brianjreynoso]

One thing that usually works is to put it in first, let the clutch out a little so it grabs, then clutch in and then put it into reverse. Works 90% of the time for me.

[@alexxmigss]

Looking to get one of these. Thanks for making this video. What kind of head unit is that? Thing is massive!

[@kaleb_gearhart6789]

My 2008 WRX has 96k miles runs super grate completely stock never had check engine lights ,always runs extremely hot! I put in a new thermostat and all aluminum radiator still runs really hot any tips ? I'm missing the plastic air dam from my hood didn't have it when I bought it

[@azthar]

My 2012 sti has only needed a new power steering rack and pump recently. Got 160,000km, and she runs like new.

[@michaelcarrillojr453]

Would going from a VA to the gen a good idea?

[@ExenzaYT]

What head unit is that? Looks really good👌

[@DRGOAT]

It’s an Android 9.1! 😁

[@WhyDoIDriveAMustang]

What’s a decent price range for these cars, I see a spectrum of prices

[@gelo_san1744]

2014 still running smoothly

[@andrewpate9157]

Hey man… the subie guys you mentioned. Where are they located? Is that Richmond VA?

[@anselford762]

Omg the sqeeeeeeky clutch peddle🤣 I had that, stoopid busted welds, plzzz bolt that thing down 🥲

[@anthonyjanelle12]

@0:15 I think only the 2008 kept the glass transmissions lol. 2009-2014 got upgraded to the Legacy GT transmission and the STI turbo, that being said I had a 2006 WRX with the glass tranny and I drove it until 230k miles on a light tune pushing 283hp and 261tq

[@silver33]

I love this vehicle, I wish I would have gotten it when it was available.

[@reubencoto8693]

Hello, I’m curious what head unit is that in your wrx? And does it work good?

[@DRGOAT]

right here is the head unit! and honestly for what I do with it, which is just listen to bluetooth and sometimes adjust the audio settings, it works great! amzn.to/44vMIAg

[@ulyssescabrera4449]

To go into reverse every time is throw it into first then right into reverse. Made it a habit and works every time

[@joshuathomas4934]

Most of these cars have been ridden hard and put away muddy. As you said. No one buys it to putts around in. Many get modded and not tuned right. Not driven right. Not properly maintained. Mix that with some of the issues that the car has inherently like any car does. And you have a car that gets an internet reputation of blowing up. Why? Well because everyone that buys these are chronically online. And wants a SIIIICK blow off valve and don’t know how much that throws your tune off. Then….. boom boom goes connecting rod 4. Then homeboy posts on Reddit on how bad these things are. The reality is. They are not bad at all. They are not a Toyota Corrolla or Honda civic in terms of ease of care or overall reliability. But we are comparing 2 completely different types of cars. Luckily these engines have been around for so long and blown up so many times that you have an ocean of options for rebuilds and still have access to factory shortblocks for under 3000 dollars. Which to me. Is awesome. Too bad the rust takes the babies out.

[@HashslingerOG]

What a G, head unit in the description

[@stupidblood]

what is your rearview mirror?

[@outsideboy23]

can i get a warranty for this car ??? someone plz tell me

[@midwestIAboy]

My old 99 5spd caviler rs coupe had issues going into reverse sometimes as well

[@wheel58m]

Would you buy a ‘13 with an engine rebuild (dealer says it was ringland failure)?

[@DRGOAT]

Do they have paperwork documenting the rebuild? If so, then I’d probably go for it as long as the price is right

[@kidtrill1147]

Who taught you mechanic work very informative

[@groo2765]

Thanks for the advice. I think I have a cam seal leaking….

[@000workmjor]

what is the display you have in this car?

[@DRGOAT]

here is a link to the head unit I have! amzn.to/44vMIAg

[@csmoff]

Do you rate this head unit? It seems to cheap to be any good?

[@jmsn36]

Took forever to just say good car or bad car more like story time

[@peterlord8891]

Bone stock 2013 wrx...Didnt abuse mine.... 2nd owner bought it around 32,000kms, these things are by far the biggest ticking time bombs on the road. Ive owned 2 trucks/2 jeeps and a VW. Selling this car at 121000km was one of the happiest days of my life lol. Complete garbage car, 11k bucks in repairs in the 4 years i owned it. Never again

[@jayemayyalldamnday]

I got a 2013 manual that's lowered on rails and yet has seen more dirt roads than an early American Settler. More rocks have hit the underside of this car than the underside sidee of my nostrils I was mashing through the Gold Country put my exhaust shove it up against my drive axle Megan Sparks I don't know 2 ft behind that my gas tank leaking like crazy didn't realize any of this had happened what are the potential concoction that was potentially Brewing up until I got home 300 Mi away every time I would go to the gas station the underside of the car would just pour gasoline but I was like I need to make it home home and this was before I knew how to work on the car now it's stupid to even think about such an easy fix literally I could have fixed it with bubble gum but all those plastic coverings anywho I'm about to get rid of that shit today for a 2013 STI with a rally suspension and more protection I'm going to film it and become a legend you don't know what freedom is until you've got a WRX and you're out in the back roads of the Gold Country looking at history that may have been there for 20 years or 130 years ago literally you'll find just pockets of Random holes in the side of mountains let go in 20 ft or sometimes MI miles nowhere near civilization or any humans yeah at one point there was tons of people digging that shit out because there was a huge quartz vein there with tons of gold and it's just completely desolate now that is what it's all about and now I got e-bike mountain bike I was aiming for a dirt bike gasoline but this is just as good when it comes to exploring the areas the car can't explore you never explored the California Gold Country you're a mcmoron

[@ninjaknight-jn9ky]

Reverse isn't synchronized.

[@jayscoggs8549]

What screen is that?!

[@urchinsify]

Subis are so fun to abuse people forget it's just a car.. Not an immortal car. Also subis really require specialist mechanics, people think they know cars and make mistakes on unfamiliar platform because they just assume their knowledge will work on every car. Donut media made this mistake and blew 1 too many engines because none of them are actual subi specialists. One mistake subi made to be fair is they underestimated how much people will try to push their cars to it's limits. Their cars are reliable up to a certain point only. It's not built to be pushed harder.

[@stunadracingteam5909]

You still have this car?

[@Cbob222]

I feel like they arent reliable if you got a meat head owning it who doesn't do regular oil changes and launches it at every start.

[@jjaeks5518]

Its that bad, I own one lol. expect bmw/audi repair costs in 2023 too

[@ZachRiccardi]

Squeaky clutch strikes again

[@silentaxeii8520]

i had a 2008 wrx for 2 years, i blown 3 engines and broke 3 gear boxes, i drove it pretty medium. they are money pits. rod knocks in all 3 engines

[@STR8SICCC]

*Test drove a used 2011 today, about 94k on it 2 owners appears to be stock.*

[@Tazytots]

Almost every car that has ever been released, of some years, have had transmission issues. That said, the ringland failure is most oftenly caused by the fourth cylinder not getting enough coolant, which leads to overheating. Something that costs $40 to fix (by cutting in to the coolant line to C2 and installing a T splitter, then running a second tube to C4, so that both cylinders are getting a flow of coolant, rather than C4 just getting the leftovers of C2's.) The whole head gasket thing is; I feel like a lot of that is misconception. They'll conflate the WRX/STI with the base model Impreza, which used single layer headgaskets, while the WRX does not, and then say the WRX has headgasket issues. You're going to have headgasket issues in ANY CAR if you don't do basic bitch oil changes, which is what you're supposed to be doing anyway, in any car.

[@randallgoeswhere]

The only way youre blowing a head gasket is if youre 16 years old driving one.

[@lionl8250]

So it’s a trash piece of rust. Thanks, won’t buy one

[@newton59]

I hate videos with wind noise. Hell, invest in good macrophones. Dislike. It's really annoying. I am not interested in the topic. If there is unnecessary noise I stop watching the channel.

[@johntomlin803]

I had a friend who had a white 08 STI people said he drove it really hard I don’t think I ever saw it but like once but I talked to him the other day and he said his blew at 49k miles.

[@silentftw4639]

Subaru has main issues consistently being rust underneath and engines being blown up. I think this is where mitsunishi takes the win. Not many evos being blown.