Recalls: Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX
2008 ‘model year’ Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX: deformed turbocharger oil supply pipe
In November 2008, a recall was issued for certain 2008 model year Subaru Impreza WRX vehicles (but not STi variants). In the recalled vehicles, the turbocharger oil supply pipe may have been deformed due to misalignment during the assembly process. If the pipe was deformed, vibration experienced during normal driving could result in a crack developing over time and causing an engine oil leak (PRA 2008/10430).
2009-14 ‘model year’ Subaru Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX STi: faulty secondary air pump relay
In October 2016, a recall was issued for 2009 to 2014 ‘model year’ Subaru Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX STi vehicles because the secondary air pump relay may be faulty. If the relay was faulty, the secondary air pump could be powered continuously and overheat, posing a fire risk (PRA 2016/15674).
2008-14 model year Subaru Impreza WRX: front passenger airbag hazard
In November 2016, a recall was issued for 2008 and 2009 model year Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi vehicles; this recall, however, was subsequently extended to include 2008 to 2014 model year Impreza WRX and WRX STi vehicles. In these vehicles, the inflator for the front passenger airbag contained propellant wafers that could absorb moisture over time. As a result, the airbag may inflate in an overly aggressive manner that could cause the airbag inflator housing to rupture. If this occurred, metal fragments could be dispersed throughout the cabin, posing a hazard to occupants. For the VINs of the recalled Subaru Impreza vehicles, please see PRA 2016/15766.
2009-14MY Subaru GR/GV WRX and 2011-14MY GR/GV WRX STi: brake lights may stop working
In March 2019, recall campaign SRT270 was issued for 2009-14 model year Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX and 2011-14 model year Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX STi vehicles. In these vehicles, the Stop Light Switch may have been affected by contaminants from outside the vehicle would could cause electrical contact points to malfunction. If the Stop Light Switch failed, the brake lights would not illuminate if the brake pedal was depressed – this posed a safety risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. Furthermore, the vehicle may not restart after the ignition had been turned off. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17375.
Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX: recall of like-for-like replacement Takata airbags
In April 2019, recall campaign SRT-271 was issued for Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX vehicles that had previously been recalled for ‘like-for-like’ replacement of their Takata airbags. As such, recall campaign SRT-271 was issued so that the replacement Takata airbags – which had the same defect whereby propellant wafers could absorb moisture over time – could be replaced with defect-free airbags. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17508.
Subaru GV Impreza WRX: defective replacement ignition switch
In June 2019, recall campaign SRT 272 was issued for Subaru GV Impreza WRX and WRX STi vehicles because a replacement ignition switch may have had imperfections in its ball springs. Over time, these imperfections could cause the ignition switch to fail and the key may inadvertently move from the ‘ON’ position to the ‘ACC’ position while the vehicle was moving. If this occurred, the engine would stop running (causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down and stop) and the power supply to the SRS airbag would be cut (so that the airbag would not deploy in the event of a collision). As such, the vehicle would pose a hazard to occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17514.
Search online for recalls by VIN
To see if a Subaru vehicle has been recalled, you can conduct a search on the Subaru Australia website using its VIN.
Problems and faults: Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
GR/GV Impreza WRX: piston ringland failure
For the EJ255 and EJ257 engines in the GR/GV Impreza WRX and GH Impreza WRX STi, the first piston ringland – which supports the primary compression ring – can be damaged by detonation (or ‘knock’). Symptoms of piston ringland failure include:
- Oil consumption and oil in the intercooler;
- White exhaust smoke on start-up;
- Loss of compression; and,
- Loss of power.
For the EJ255 and EJ257 engines in the GR/GV Impreza WRX and Impreza WRX STi, the piston crown was weakened by moving the ring pack further up the piston – this design change was implemented to prevent fuel from being trapped between the piston and cylinder wall above the first compression ring which would increase hydrocarbons in the emissions and require additional catalytic converters. While the pistons for the EJ255 and EJ257 engines were produced from cast aluminium and are therefore not as strong as forged pistons, the root cause of failure is detonation.
The leading causes of detonation are:
- Petrol dilution due to the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system passing large amounts of oil through the intake. The amount of oil vapour passing through the PCV system is affected by higher boost pressure, the age of the turbocharger and crankshaft oil aeration. To fix this problem, it has been recommend that owners fit an Air Oil Separator (AOS) that re-routes the PCV and breather systems to a catch-can;
- Subjecting the engine to too much load at low RPM (below 3000 rpm). Subaru and Cobb Tuning recommend getting to 3500-4000 rpm before applying wide-open throttle (WOT); and,
- Prolonged hard driving. The EJ255 and EJ257 engines are designed for short bursts of speed, not prolonged hard use such as racing.
While some owners have attributed detonation to Subaru’s OEM tuning of the EJ255 and EJ257 engines, aftermarket tuned vehicles have also experienced ringland failure.
GR/GV Impreza WRX: clutch pedal welds
There have been reports of spot welds which attach the clutch pedal bracket assembly to the forward firewall failing. If this occurs, the clutch pedal bracket assembly will move when the clutch is depressed, causing a creaking, squeaking or popping noises. As a result, the driver may experience difficulty changing gears. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become inoperative.
Subaru GR/GV Impreza WRX: Other problems and faults
- For manual models, the idle may not return to its normal rpm when the clutch is depressed; if so, the engine control computer may require reprogramming.
- Coolant may come out of the overflow reservoir due to debris in the radiator cap – this can be fixed by shortening the overflow hose so that it does not extend to the bottom of the reservoir.
- The boot may not close after the emergency release is activated, requiring the release cable to be re-routed.
- Water may leak into the front foot wells from fended seams that were not properly sealed.
