SubaruWRX STI2019Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2019/base/

2019 Subaru WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 WRX STI.

The 2019 Subaru WRX STI, documented in its Overview, specifies a 4.5 qt oil capacity with a 5W‑30 viscosity and a reliability record that includes a single owner complaint concerning the electrical system and engine with no recalls. Its complaint count falls at the lowest point of the 2008‑2019 period, where the highest annual complaints were three in 2008. Consequently, the 2019 model year stands as the most reliable iteration of the STI for research purposes.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 390 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 35 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/35R19 89WOEM · 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 height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3369 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 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 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs56 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub140.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Checking Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)750 Speed up rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.019-.023 in
Spark Plug Torque15.5 ft-lbs Torque with dry threads. ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99 - 1.11 lbs
Oil TypeDH - PR
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Service checks

RPM43.5 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 54.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.11 in; Rear: 0.11 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .709
Maximum Rotor Runout.003
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1589 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1589 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees +/-535 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 at 137,500 mi. The big-interval services (at 137,500 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) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
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 2019 WRX STI sits at the low end of the complaint curve, with only one complaint and no recalls, compared to 3 complaints in 2015 and 2 in 2018. Recall activity peaked earlier in the decade with 2 recalls per year through 2014, then dropped to zero in 2015 and the following years, showing a declining trend that the 2019 model continues. Investigations remained nonexistent throughout, and total serious breakdowns (TSBs) peaked in 2015 and 2019 at 249, but this does not correlate with complaints. The single complaint in 2019 was an electrical/engine issue, a category that has not shown a larger trend in the dataset. Overall, the 2019 model represents a clean year in the generation’s recall and complaint arc, suggesting it is a solid choice for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
249
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Electrical System,Engine1

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific WRX STI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

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 2019 WRX STI take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 WRX STI have open recalls?

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