The 2015 WRX with the FA20DIT engine is a significant departure from the EJ platform, bringing direct injection and better fuel economy but introducing new failure modes. The biggest concern is catastrophic engine failure from ringland cracking and bearing issues, particularly in modified or hard-driven examples.
Ringland Failure and Piston Cracking
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: severe misfires on cylinder 4 most commonly, white smoke from exhaust, loss of compression, check engine light with P030X codes, metallic rattling from engine
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement required. Aftermarket forged pistons recommended if rebuilding. Typically 20-25 labor hours for proper rebuild with machine work, or 15-18 hours for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500
Spun Rod and Main Bearings
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: knocking sound on cold start that may disappear when warm, low oil pressure warning, metallic ticking that increases with RPM, oil pressure drops under load, metal shavings in oil
Fix: Caused by oil starvation during hard cornering and inadequate bearing clearances from factory. Requires full engine teardown, crank polishing or replacement, and bearing replacement. 22-28 labor hours including balancing.
Estimated cost: $5,000-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid puddles under car, burnt smell from transmission area, low transmission fluid warnings, hard shifts or slipping when fluid gets low
Fix: The quick-disconnect fittings at the cooler lines crack and leak. Replace both lines and fittings preventatively. 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Throw-Out Bearing Failure (Manual Transmission)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: chirping or squealing when clutch pedal is pressed, grinding noise during engagement, noise disappears when clutch is fully engaged or released, gets worse in cold weather
Fix: The OEM throwout bearing is weak and fails prematurely, especially with any performance clutch upgrades. Requires transmission removal. Replace clutch assembly, pressure plate, and flywheel resurface while in there. 6-8 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle
Common · low severityTypical onset: 30,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling sound from engine bay at idle, noise most noticeable when cold, sounds like marbles in a can, no performance loss initially
Fix: The internal wastegate actuator rod develops play and rattles. Can lead to boost control issues if ignored. Turbo replacement or rebuild required. 5-7 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Engine Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive engine movement on acceleration, clunking when shifting, vibration at idle in cabin, visible torn rubber on mounts
Fix: Transmission mount and pitch stop mount fail most frequently due to increased torque from FA20 engine. Replace all engine mounts as a set. 3-4 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Direct Injection Carbon Buildup
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, reduced fuel economy, misfires under load, failed emissions test
Fix: FA20 has no port injection to clean valves, so carbon accumulates. Requires walnut blasting of intake valves. 4-6 labor hours depending on shop setup.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Buy only if stock or lightly modified with full service records; the FA20 punishes neglect and aggressive driving with expensive engine failures, but well-maintained examples can be reliable daily drivers.
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.