SubaruWRX STI2015Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2015/base/

2015 Subaru WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 WRX STI.

Requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 oil, the 2015 Subaru WRX STI recorded three owner complaints and zero recalls, with the engine as the top complaint area. This complaint count ties the 2008 model for the highest in the 2008–2019 reliability history, placing the 2015 year among the least dependable in that generation.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 55D23L · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3366 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Engine OilSynthetic · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity15.9 gallons

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in
Spark Plug Torque15.5 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.00-16.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.11 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
Engine CompressionTURBO psi 142-171 variance 7 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 /; Front: 114; Rear: 48
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.047; Rear: 0.047 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.100; Rear .710
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .003; Rear: .0028
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.089 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 18.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129 ft. lbs. Step 2: 70.1 ft. lbs. Step 3: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 4: Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing. Step 5: 7.4 ft. lbs. Step 6: 22 degrees. Step 7: 51.6 ft. lbs. Step 8: 80-90 degrees. Step 9: 40-45 degrees. Step 10: 40-45 degrees; do not exceed 90 degrees. Apply sufficient engine oil to bolt threads and washer.29 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 96,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 model year registers 3 complaints, matching the 2008 high but rebounding from 0 in 2014, while recalls fall to 0 after seven consecutive years of 2 recalls annually through 2014. TSBs jump to 249, tying the highest level in the provided record and sharply exceeding the 195 seen in 2014, indicating a notable increase in manufacturer service guidance. Across the full arc, complaints stay consistently low, recalls vanish after 2014, and TSBs climb from 149 in 2008 toward this elevated plateau. For 2015, the top complaint areas are Engine and Fuel System, Gasoline,Structure, though the data does not specify root causes, and the year recorded zero crash and zero fire complaints. Given its zero recalls and absence of crash or fire complaints, the 2015 model year is a good year to buy, though the elevated TSB count and engine-related complaints make a documented service history essential.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
249
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Engine2
Fuel System, Gasoline,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 249 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 WRX STI take?

4.5 qt of Synthetic 5W-30 API certification SM, SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.