Credov's researched list of the 12 faults the Subaru WRX STI is known for (2008–2014), 8 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Check the VIN on the NZTA recall lookup, and ask for the dealer invoice showing the airbag inflator was replaced.
Why it matters: Takata inflators can degrade with heat and humidity and the metal housing may rupture, propelling fragments through the airbag cushion. Retailing a car with an open campaign is a clear Fair Trading Act and CGA exposure.
What to look for: Check all brake lights come on over five presses, and that the car restarts first time after 30 seconds off.
Why it matters: A no-start on a customer's driveway a week after sale is a Consumer Guarantees Act call-back; failed brake lights are a WOF fail.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Look down at the turbo oil pipe with a torch for wet or crusted oil, and check the ground for drips.
Why it matters: Oil onto a hot turbo is a fire risk and an engine-starvation risk; also a common reason an EJ turbo is sold cheap.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Listen after a cold start for the air pump whirring past five minutes, and look for melted or discoloured plastic.
Why it matters: Overheating pump is a fire risk per the register; a failed secondary air system is also a common check-engine-light cause on EJ turbos.
What to look for: Listen at the engine front for a whine or rumble rising with revs, and ask when the timing belt was done.
Why it matters: Subaru told MLIT the water pump bearing was assembled with too little clearance, that the bearing breaks, the water pump stops working, the timing belt is damaged, and the engine then stops and cannot be restarted. On these belt-driven EJ engines that failure sequence is expensive, and it does not announce itself as a coolant loss first.
Sources: 1
What to look for: On a gentle full-throttle pull from 2,500-3,500 rpm, feel for a stumble or misfire.
Why it matters: A cracked ringland is one of the most-feared failures on this engine and usually ends in a short block or forged-piston rebuild; owners post cylinder 4 failures well under 100,000 km even on near-stock cars, so a compression check before buying is cheap insurance against an expensive engine job.
What to look for: At a warm idle and blipping to 3,000 rpm, listen low on the engine for a rhythmic knock.
Why it matters: Rod bearing failure on this engine can go from a faint tick to a seized block with little warning, and the repair is typically a rebuilt short block costing thousands - a quiet, clean idle and a clear oil history are worth confirming before buying.
What to look for: On a gentle full-throttle pull from 2,500-3,500 rpm, feel for a stumble or misfire.
Why it matters: Ringland failure remains the most-feared engine failure on this platform, and a tuned or low-octane history raises the odds sharply; confirming the fuel and tuning history, and the engine's response under load, is worth doing before buying.
What to look for: Look and feel along the air intake duct for splits, especially at the ribbed sections and clamp ends.
Why it matters: Cheap part, but on the turbo cars unmetered air after the airflow meter can lean the engine out.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Check both reversing lights come on and the camera picture appears within two seconds, three times over.
Why it matters: Reverse lamps are a WOF item and this is a 2022 campaign many cars will have missed.
Sources: 1
What to look for: Crouch and check the lower doors, sills and door and arch edges for chips, touch-up paint or rust spots.
Why it matters: A chip left untreated on a steel panel turns into a rust bubble, which is a far more expensive repair than a stone chip caught early.
What to look for: Check the bonnet leading edge, front bumper and lower rear doors ahead of the rear wheels for chips and touch-up dots.
Why it matters: A chip left untreated on a steel door rusts, which is a far more expensive repair than a stone chip caught early, and heavy chipping can make a genuinely low-km car look overused to a future buyer.
Got a question about a Subaru WRX STI? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.