Subaru WRX STI: performance, engines and what owners say

How fast is the GD STI?

Sedan, 2004–2007. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

The engine: Subaru EJ257

2.5-liter flat-4, turbo

Redline6,700 rpm

Output293–310 hp, up to 300 lb-ft (S209: 341 hp)

BlockSemi-closed-deck aluminum, cast-iron liners

Boost14.7 psi; 16.2 psi from 2019

Engine's YouTube owner tone 47/100 (videos about the Subaru EJ257 in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Subaru EJ257 engine page →

Why the engine page shows fewer: it counts only the 0 owner complaints and 0 recalls for 2004–2007 that name this engine or a version that only had it. This page counts all 75 complaints and 0 recall campaigns NHTSA files under "Wrx Sti" for those years, other engines included.

Known issues

• Ringland and piston failureParts seller / enthusiast outlet

  Detonation can crack a piston ring land, causing low compression, blow-by and oil burning. Parts sellers say it happens on stock cars too, more often with bad tunes, low octane or full throttle at low rpm.

  Fix: Rebuild with new pistons; Subaru switched to stronger pistons for 2019.

• Bearing failure from oil starvationOwner-reported

  SlashGear, citing a YouTube mechanic, names oil starvation of the second and third bearings as the main EJ257 problem, which can end in bearing failure.

• Head gasket leaksOutlet

  Head gasket failures happen on the EJ257 but less often than on other EJ engines, and are more likely with a higher-boost tune, per SlashGear.

• Oil consumptionEnthusiast outlet

  A cracked ring land lets combustion gas pressurize the crankcase, which burns oil. Rising oil use can be an early warning, so check the level often.

What owners say on YouTube

Share of the 168 most-watched GD STI videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

How to kill Subaru Impreza WRX StiX-Force · 5.2M viewsTHE CITY RALLYIST : SUBARU WRX STIZIP · 3.0M viewsHere's Why the 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Is an IconDoug DeMuro · 2.3M views

Should you buy a GD STI?

• New, the Impreza WRX STi cost $30,995 (2004, plus $550 destination).
• YouTube likes the 2007 best (56/100).
• Most owner complaints: the 2004 (42). Fewest: the 2006 (14). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
• Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the STI yet.

How fast is the GR / GV STI?

Hatchback; sedan from 2011, 2008–2014. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

The engine: Subaru EJ257

2.5-liter flat-4, turbo

Redline6,700 rpm

Output293–310 hp, up to 300 lb-ft (S209: 341 hp)

BlockSemi-closed-deck aluminum, cast-iron liners

Boost14.7 psi; 16.2 psi from 2019

Engine's YouTube owner tone 47/100 (videos about the Subaru EJ257 in every car that uses it, so it differs from this car's own tone below)

Subaru EJ257 engine page →

Why the engine page shows fewer: it counts only the 0 owner complaints and 0 recalls for 2008–2014 that name this engine or a version that only had it. This page counts all 178 complaints and 2 recall campaigns NHTSA files under "Wrx Sti" for those years, other engines included.

Known issues

• Ringland and piston failureParts seller / enthusiast outlet

  Detonation can crack a piston ring land, causing low compression, blow-by and oil burning. Parts sellers say it happens on stock cars too, more often with bad tunes, low octane or full throttle at low rpm.

  Fix: Rebuild with new pistons; Subaru switched to stronger pistons for 2019.

  12 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2008–2014)
• Bearing failure from oil starvationOwner-reported

  SlashGear, citing a YouTube mechanic, names oil starvation of the second and third bearings as the main EJ257 problem, which can end in bearing failure.

  10 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2008–2014)
• Head gasket leaksOutlet

  Head gasket failures happen on the EJ257 but less often than on other EJ engines, and are more likely with a higher-boost tune, per SlashGear.

• Oil consumptionEnthusiast outlet

  A cracked ring land lets combustion gas pressurize the crankcase, which burns oil. Rising oil use can be an early warning, so check the level often.

  2 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2008–2014)
• Secondary air pump relay recallRecall

  On turbo 2008–2014 Imprezas, including the STI, the relay for the secondary air injection pump can fail and keep the pump running until it overheats, raising fire risk.

  Fix: Dealer replaces the relay for free (NHTSA 16V-738, Subaru WTM-73).

  7 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2008–2014)

What owners say on YouTube

Share of the 177 most-watched GR / GV STI videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

THE FINAL RACE - Subaru WRX STI vs MustangCAR BROS · 40.3M viewsBuilding a Subaru WRX STI in 18 minutes! (COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION)throtl · 9.1M views

Should you buy a GR / GV STI?

• New, the Impreza WRX STI hatchback cost $34,995 (2008, plus $645 destination; 2014: $36,495 plus $795).
• YouTube likes the 2011 best (59/100).
• Most owner complaints: the 2008 (101). Fewest: the 2010 (2). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
• Budget for ringland and piston failure: 12 owner complaints mention it. Rebuild with new pistons; Subaru switched to stronger pistons for 2019.
• Budget for bearing failure from oil starvation: 10 owner complaints mention it.
• 2 recall campaigns across 2008–2014 (all Wrx Sti versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
• Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the STI yet.