SubaruWRX2019Overview/subaru/wrx/2019/base/

2019 Subaru WRX

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2019 Subaru WRX is a passenger car that requires 5.4 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil, a specification that aligns with its turbocharged boxer engine. Owner-reported issues for this model year total 30 complaints, with the electrical system being the most frequently cited problem area, and there have been two recalls. In the broader context of the WRX’s complaint history from 2002 to 2025—where the 2002 model leads with 426 complaints and the 2010 model has the fewest at just one—the 2019’s figure places it well below the peak but above the lowest, indicating a relatively moderate reliability record for this generation.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 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 size235/45R17 94WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 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 weight3402 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the WRX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.6–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 2015 STI Launch Edition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.10 sec13.50 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec13.80 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec13.90 sec310 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.50 sec14.20 sec268 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.10 sec268 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.10 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.00 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.00 sec310 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 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 Capacity8.6
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.8
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 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 Setting Speed. 700 Checking Speed. rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)732.5 Speed up rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)182.5 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031; Turbo: .020-.022 in
Spark Plug Torque12.5 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

RPM51.0-72.0 @ Idle. Turbo: 50.0 @ Idle. rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 49.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059 in; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .591
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1689 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees +/-515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 4: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 5: 31 ft. lbs., Step 6: Turn 78-82°, Step 7: Turn bolts 1 & 2: 73-77°, Step 8: Tighten Bolts 6, 5, 4, 3 in that order: 28-32°.21.4 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°-35°.22 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)
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 Subaru WRX registers 30 complaints, 2 recalls, and 361 TSBs, continuing a downward trajectory from the higher complaint volumes recorded between 2015 and 2018, when yearly complaints ranged from 34 to 53. Federal data shows a sharp inflection in 2015, when TSBs jumped to 407 and recalls fell from the double-digit levels seen in 2010–2014 to single digits; within that post-2015 cycle, 2019 sits on a declining arc as complaints fell to 30 and onward to 17 by 2020. The leading 2019 complaint areas are Electrical System with 7 filings and Engine with 6, though the data does not specify root causes, and the year shows zero crash and zero fire complaints. Against 2018’s 42 complaints and identical 2 recalls, 2019 offers measurable improvement in complaint volume while maintaining the same recall exposure. With its position on the downward slope of the complaint curve, minimal recall count, and absence of crash or fire complaints in the federal record, 2019 stands as a relatively favorable year to buy a used WRX.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
361
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System7
Engine6
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other3
Unknown Or Other2
Wheels1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Suspension,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may… Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at…

22V522000Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:SwitchReported 21/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 361 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
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…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

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. 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 take?

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

Does the 2019 WRX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.