Which is cheaper to maintain, the Subaru WRX STI or the Subaru WRX STI?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Subaru WRX STI is cheaper to maintain — about $945 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 2.5L Turbo H4 and the 2.5L H4 Turbo?

Across 39 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Subaru WRX STI or Subaru WRX STI?

The Subaru WRX STI has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Subaru WRX STI has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2007 Subaru WRX STI vs 2021 Subaru WRX STI — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2007

2021

Engine

2.5L Turbo H4

2.5L H4 Turbo

Drivetrain

AWD

Transmission

manual

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

293hp

310hp

Torque

290lb-ft

0–60 mph

4.7s

Quarter Mile

13.3s @ 104 mph

Top Speed

155 mph

159 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

3,415 lb

3,434 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$22,158

0.37 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$21,213

0.35 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGESubaru WRX STI — Saves you $945 over 5 years (4% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Ringland Failure / Piston Cracking (EJ257)

— hrs$4,063 / 5yr

— hrs

Spun Rod or Main Bearings

— hrs

— hrs$3,325 / 5yr

Ringland Failure / Piston Cracking (Cylinder #4)

— hrs

— hrs$2,888 / 5yr

Oil & filter change

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

Transmission Synchro Wear (1st, 2nd Gear)

— hrs

— hrs$2,373 / 5yr

Head Gasket Weeping / Failure

— hrs$2,113 / 5yr

— hrs

Engine Oil Consumption (Excessive)

— hrs$2,015 / 5yr

— hrs

Transmission Gear Grind / Synchro Wear (2nd/3rd)

— hrs$1,950 / 5yr

— hrs

Clutch and Flywheel Wear

— hrs

— hrs$1,560 / 5yr

Turbocharger Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,085 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Clutch Wear / Flywheel Resurfacing

— hrs$1,040 / 5yr

— hrs

Rear brake pads

1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Turbocharger Failure (IHI VF48)

— hrs$927 / 5yr

— hrs

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$300 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$215 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Timing belt service

5.8 hrs$508 / 5yr

— hrs

Intake manifold gasket

6.5 hrs$320 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

Water pump

4.5 hrs$278 / 5yr

2.9 hrs$194 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Head Gasket Failure

— hrs

— hrs$450 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Timing Belt Tensioner / Idler Bearing Failure

— hrs$403 / 5yr

— hrs

Valve cover gasket

3.5 hrs$234 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$126 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$185 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.0 hrs$163 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Alternator

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$139 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$193 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

1.7 hrs$91 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.5 hrs$93 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$61 / 5yr

Banjo Bolt Filter Clogging (Turbo Oil Feed)

— hrs$79 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Subaru WRX STI

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake0.70 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3 or DOT 4

coolant6.90 qt · Subaru Coolant Type or equivalent Asian OAT

engine_oil5.10 qt · API SM

front_diff1.20 qt · GL-5

power_steering0.80 qt · Dexron III

rear_diff1.10 qt · GL-5 with limited-slip additive

transfer_case · none — integrated with transmission

transmission_manual3.70 qt · GL-5

washer3.20 qt · windshield washer fluid

Subaru WRX STI

ac_refrigerant · R-1234yf

brake0.74 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3/DOT 4

coolant7.40 qt · ASTM D3306

engine_oil5.40 qt · API SN or higher

front_diff1.20 qt · GL-5

power_steering0.95 qt · Dexron III or equivalent

rear_diff1.50 qt · GL-5

transfer_case · none — integrated with transmission

transmission_manual3.70 qt · GL-5

washer2.64 qt · windshield washer fluid (all-season recommended)

The Verdict

TOO CLOSE TO CALL

Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.