The 2022 WRX debuts Subaru's FA24 turbo boxer, replacing the venerable EJ/FA20. Early adopters face teething issues with the new platform—rod bearing failures, transmission cooler leaks, and fueling inconsistencies under high load are the headline concerns.
Rod Bearing Failure (Connecting Rod Bearings)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 15,000-40,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or ticking noise from lower engine block, especially at idle or under load, Metal shavings in oil during analysis, Sudden catastrophic failure with loss of power and internal engine damage
Fix: Full engine disassembly required. Many shops replace the short block rather than rebuild due to collateral damage—crank journals can be scored. If caught early, bearing replacement alone is 18-24 labor hours; short block swap adds another 6-8 hours for peripheral transfer. Subaru has extended warranty coverage for some VINs.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 10,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, typically on passenger side, Low fluid level on dipstick, rough or delayed shifts, Visible seepage at cooler line fittings or cooler housing
Fix: Cooler seal or line failure. Replacement cooler assembly is the fix—lines and fittings often corrode or crack at the crimp points. 2-3 hours labor including fluid refill and system bleed. Some units fail within warranty period; check for TSBs.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Fuel System / LPFP (Low-Pressure Fuel Pump) Inadequacy Under High Load
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Fuel trims pulling timing at WOT, especially in hot weather or at high altitude, Stumbling or lean misfire codes (P0171/P0174) during hard acceleration, Aftermarket tuners report fuel pressure drop-off above 5,000 RPM under boost
Fix: Factory in-tank LPFP struggles to keep up with demand in spirited driving or tuned cars. Aftermarket pump upgrade (Nostrum, DW, AEM) is the fix—3-4 hours to drop tank, swap pump, reinstall. Not a failure per se, but a design limitation that becomes apparent quickly. Stock cars may see this less often but not immune.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Head Gasket Seepage (External, Both Heads)
Rare · medium severityTypical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil weeping at head-to-block mating surface, visible as dark streaks on block, Slight coolant odor or residue at gasket seam, no overheating, Usually caught during routine inspection, not a catastrophic failure
Fix: External seepage, not the internal combustion-chamber failure of older EJs. Still requires heads-off to replace gaskets—16-20 hours labor for both sides, includes resurfacing heads if warped. Subaru has been more proactive with FA24 gasket revisions, so warranty may cover.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Transmission Mount Fatigue / Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 20,000-50,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding on hard shifts or launch, Excessive drivetrain movement visible when revving in neutral, Vibration through shifter or center console at idle
Fix: Rear transmission mount (pitch stop) tends to tear or separate, especially with aggressive driving or aftermarket power. Replacement is straightforward—1.5-2 hours, includes jacking trans slightly for access. Upgraded polyurethane mounts available aftermarket and strongly recommended.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves (Direct Injection)
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle or stumble on cold start, Loss of low-end torque, hesitation during light throttle, Misfires at idle (P0300-series codes) without obvious ignition faults
Fix: FA24 is direct-injection only—no port injection to wash valves. Walnut-blasting service every 60-80k is preventive. If buildup is severe, intake manifold off, 4-5 hours for media blasting and cleanup. Catch-can install adds 2 hours but reduces recurrence.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Promising platform with teething pains—buy used only if engine has been opened and inspected or has full service records proving frequent oil changes and no hard launches during break-in.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.