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Subaru Settles WRX/STI 2.5L Engine Lawsuit Following Months of Discovery

Subaru settles a lawsuit against the 2012-2017 Subaru WRX/STI equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. See what the plaintiffs get.

Subaru was hit with three lawsuits last year claiming there’s an engine defect in 2012-2017 WRX and WRX STI models equipped with the EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine. A report from Law360 says the lawsuit has been settled following months of discovery.

Subaru WRX/STI owners, contended in the lawsuit, the 2.5-liter turbo engine had a defect which allowed contaminated oil to carry “damaging metal debris through the engines” and Subaru knowingly sold the cars with defective parts that led to engine failure. The motion says "Plaintiffs alleged that defendants were aware of this engine defect, but failed to disclose it to consumers.”

The proposed settlement was reached with Subaru of America “following months of negotiations and discovery.” Owners who filed the lawsuit asked a New Jersey federal judge last week to approve a settlement that includes reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket repairs and compensation to those who sold or traded in their vehicles.

According to the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement, class members will also receive a warranty extension providing free repairs for a period of eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, which is double the length of Subaru's new vehicle limited warranty, and a notable increase over Subaru's powertrain limited warranty (5 years or 60,000 miles).

2012-2017 EJ25 2.5L Turbo Boxer engines

The settlement covers 2012-2017 Subaru WRX and WRX STI vehicles manufactured between Oct. 11, 2011, and Nov, 16, 2016 equipped with an EJ25 2.5-liter turbocharged Boxer engine with bearing vehicle identification numbers ending with CG203168 and up for five-door hatch models and CG006225 through H9826807 for four-door sedan models.

Lead plaintiffs Vicente Salcedoi, Gerald Linden and Brian Mervin hailed from California, Michigan and New Jersey. The report from Law360 also says hundreds of proposed class members have directly contacted plaintiffs' counsel, and the suit cited numerous consumer complaints about the alleged defect made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The report says Subaru WRX/STI owners who traded in their vehicle “With a qualifying failure prior to obtaining a repair are also eligible for reimbursement. Class members must submit a claim form proving they presented the vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealer with a qualifying failure, that they subsequently sold or traded it un-repaired and that, based on the Kelley Blue Book value, they received less than fair market value by comparing the prevailing Kelley Blue Book value at the time of the transaction, up to a maximum of $4,000.”

Subaru will agree to reimburse all class members for 100 percent of all out-of-pocket expenses they incurred for parts and labor that they paid to a Subaru dealer for the cost of a qualifying repair performed during the extended warranty period.

2012-2017 Subaru WRX/STI class action members will be notified by mail and Subaru will also set up a dedicated website that will include the notice, claim form, settlement agreement and other relevant documents. "We are very pleased with the settlement and believe it will provide significant relief to class members," Matthew D. Schelkopf of Sauder Schelkopf LLC, lead attorney for the plaintiffs,” told Law360 last week.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

Comments

Jon Harrell (not verified)    October 27, 2018 - 12:40AM

I have had a legacy 96 230k on it before sold, 99 ej25 Forester with 335k (rebuilt for external oil leak at 115k), and an 09 ej25 Forester with 205k before we sold it. I would trust a 04to2010 for at least 250k or more. Newer models... i can't say.

anthony marston (not verified)    October 29, 2018 - 9:12AM

i was sold a WRX STI Limited in august 2017 with 54,000 miles and was told nothing of this and found out after buying it that it had the engine rebuilt at 33,000 for a spun bearing buy finding the reciept for the work in the owners manual, and it now has just over 65k. i was told the factory warranty was expired did not take a extended warranty due to when i asked about what was available they were asking $4,760. just for a 2yr / 24,000 warranty and that was just completely unreasonable though i was looking for at least to a 100k warranty but at the 2/24 cost, it probably would of cost me $8,000 - $10,000 for the 45,000 mile coverage. i even told the guy that the warranty on my Duramax didnt cost that much and it was a GM certified truck with a partial warranty still left and i bought a 3/36 for $1600. about 6 years prior but he wouldnt budge. i guess it should of thrown a red flag right there,

anyway what im wondering is if there is a resolution for those of us that got sold one of these cars during this time that this suit was going on and wasnt notified of the suit, is subaru going to cover my car as well or do i have to file another suit.

Kim barthel (not verified)    March 16, 2019 - 6:04PM

In reply to by anthony marston (not verified)

Ok were to begin i leased a brand new 2017 it. Will be 2 years April 13 it has the cvt motor it’s automaric and just turned over to 19,000 miles anyway I went to get my car appraised I was thinking of trading it in for a new one but I can’t seem to find any automatics and I think now I know why with all these engine failures and lawsuits I never knew they had problems so anyway I left the dealership and decided I was just going to keep mine and on the way home my car blew up out of no where car gages went nuts made a wired noise as I was pulling off the road it died and white smelly smoke came into the cabin and all around outside through the tailpipes scared the shit out of me I thought the car was on fire grabbed what I could and jumped out on to the turnpike I could have gotten run over I ran away from the car and called the dealership ship I was just at and told me to call to get 800 Suburu roadside assistance needless to say 4 hours later no one came bc they kept making the excuse I’m on a toll road and you have to wait they never came I had called a tow car down my road to help me got my car fltbedded home the next day I called for a tow yo bring me and my car to dealership so I could pic up my loaner and loose my mind at the dealership people they never came I had the whole next to try to get them pick up my car I wasted time off of work finally they got here around 5pm I left the car and went to work needless to say front the mechanic who thought he heard a noise when he drove my car he never told me he heard anything if he did I would probably be getting g my car back in a day or to for them to check it out instead of giving my keys to me and not say a word he said he should have followed his instincts duhhh????? Anyway my car is at the dealership with a seized motor at19,000 miles and I’m pissed of and the tow truck issue on the highway stuck by myself for almost 4 hours in the dark and woods behind me on the Pennsylvania Trpke me having to get my own tow truck pay for it so what do I do now my car smells disgusting inside it has a blown motor and they gave me a rental and told me there going to look into it further bc I had a nasty sales guy call me and tell me he’d give me $1000 dollars over my estimated price for my car ???? Are you kidding me ????? This is what you want to call help no fucking way man no way and I’m not making my lease payment until this gets squared away I have like ptsd from the fear of the smoke thinking I’m going to die and if my car is that unreliable and now depreciated so much what do I do ?? J don’t feel safe we need to seriously do something about this bullshit when I talked to the service manager she never mentioned a word of the lawsuit I brought it up to her this is shady dealings I’m very very disappointed and disgusted by the way were being treated and what they think is fair I want in on this lawsuit anyone else have the same issue happen to them???

Robert L Steffano (not verified)    October 31, 2018 - 12:30PM

My 2001 STI has 70,200 miles on it and engine NUMBER 3 ! was installed at 69,000 miles and I am super pissed off mostly because of the BLAME that Subaru and independent shops gave ME for supposedly doing something wrong or abusive to my car !!! I put the deep oil pan and split oil pickup in when we put in engine #2 and that motor only lasted 20,000 miles ! I have over $20,000 out of my pocket dealing with this coverup. Subaru ...I DO NOT FEEL THE LOVE. Shame on you.

Jason (not verified)    November 3, 2018 - 6:46PM

Shavings and main bearing spin out at 61000mi. I’m the third owner and it was modified by intake, exhaust, and tuning. I can’t imagine it helped anything, but the result was the same. Just replaced the motor with a more robust one and got it on the road.

I didn’t know the recall was happening. But my VIN is in the recall. I’ll have to call and find out what the story is.

Additionally, I have a 15 Outback 3.6. There was squealing from the transmission. Never had a CVT so I thought it was brakes. 3 different dealers took a look at it in as many years... 30k miles worth. Only when I said it has to be the transmission did the 3rd dealer get it fixed under warranty.

The Outback and STI??? Not feeling good about Subaru being forthright and taking care of their customers. BTW I’ve had a Legacy and Forester XT as well. Getting uneasy with this brand.

Katie D. (not verified)    November 9, 2018 - 11:54AM

I have been living a nightmare with my 2013 WRX. After the engine and turbo blew at 42K, my car has been in the shop 19 times in 20 months. I need a lawyer willing to take my case. I am filing suit with Attorney Generals, etc.

It say in the article:
"According to the motion for preliminary approval of the settlement, class members will also receive a warranty extension providing free repairs for a period of eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, which is double the length of Subaru's new vehicle limited warranty, and a notable increase over Subaru's powertrain limited warranty (5 years or 60,000 miles)."

DOES THIS mean free repairs for just the engine OR all of the car?

If I didn't buy an extended warranty I would be bankrupt and without a car.

Taylor (not verified)    December 7, 2018 - 12:07AM

Just had the engine go out on me at 59k. No mods, regular oil changes. Just missed the stock powertrain warranty as it's a 13. When can I expect an update on the settlement?

Isaac (not verified)    January 21, 2019 - 8:41PM

This same thing exactly happened to my 2012 WRX. I have some good back and forth emails with the dealership stating what was wrong with it which follows the lawsuit language fairly closely. Best part, I am out of the window they settled upon (per VIN #) meaning my car was made a just a few months earlier than they think the issue started. So I won't get a notification from Subaru. Any advice on how I can still find out when they put up claim website and submit one with my evidence?

Jason (not verified)    January 25, 2019 - 7:20AM

Hate to hear about the WRX. I’d make the argument that the recall VIN’s are not accurately covering the problem. Use your emails as proof. If they deny it send a letter. Just make sure it is the $400 paper with an Attorney’s letterhead on it. I doubt they want to push it. There’s still the PR for a company with cult fan bases.

Lee (not verified)    February 6, 2019 - 4:54PM

a friend of mine 2014 sti was offered a new engine but only 1 year warranty, i think the Dealer is holding back. the car in mint condition other than the engine issue with 49k miles.

vanessa chapman (not verified)    February 8, 2019 - 9:13PM

how do I get compensated for my 2017 sti which I had my motor rebuilt because of ringland failure which I used my personal mechanic because subura is ridiculous on there pricing I have all receipts from parts to labor but at the time I didn't know they were having all these issues and when I called the dealer they said since I was 500 miles over my warranty they would not cover

Ian Connolly (not verified)    April 6, 2019 - 5:04PM

2014 WRX just passed 60k, got my oil changed and a month later engine seized, checked oil and it had less than a quart registering, any ideas on what I do next? Thank you

Matthew Ickes (not verified)    September 7, 2019 - 2:53AM

Has anything new come up about the 2011 sti Engine failure lawsuit? I own a 2011 that spun a bearing with stock parts and a long history of maintenance/ oil changes being done exactly on time.

Lou Bronzino (not verified)    December 10, 2019 - 1:56PM

I have a 2018 wrx with 39000 miles and the engine failed does this lawsuit involve me they are replacing the engine but i don’t want the car anymore

DARREN ESCOBEDO (not verified)    May 13, 2020 - 1:46PM

I bought a 2013 STI, needless to say i have been static and love it. never had any issues till 168,000 miles and notice oil consumption with -0- mods.....decided to pull motor and check out. cylinder #3 piston busted, bent valves. now my engine is all spread out on the table collecting dust. If someone has good experience and are willing to give me some pointers and advise on what to do? please contact me. ([email protected])

brandon Marcel… (not verified)    May 16, 2020 - 9:25PM

Well, I honestly wonder how many of these engines were modified, especially a remapped ecu done by a mail in tuner. I understand the single over heating cylinder, and its cheap simple fix to improve coolant flow to it. But that shouldnt be a problem at oem hp levels, and then I know of many stock blocks running around the400 whp mark with zero problems over many years. I cant attest personally about the 2012-2017 257, but I own a 04 and 06, both single owner cars. The 04 has 30k miles, completly stock everything, never a problem. The 06 has every bolt on you can think of, as I have been building it since new December 05 using only quality parts. It has 72k miles, put down 414 whp with vp hp101 fuel on the dyno during the last tune, almost 11 years ago. Never a problem, but I must say it dose have a aftermarket oil pickup and girdle, the closest the block has come to disassembly. but that was installed for motor cross, and I don't really know of many instances on road where you can produce that high of g to starve the oem stuff. I always hear the 08+ models are not as good of performers, mainly the 08-11 years. Where did FUJI screw up a reliable engine enough to get to this point? I guess I was wise to caugh up the $33-35k back then. Then again to sell a STI model for around the same price almost 15 years later, they had to cheap out somewhere I guess. We shall see how the new lighter 2022 two door STI fairs with its new 400 hp 2.4 DI boxer. I want one, so they better have their stuff in line if I dish out the over $40k price.

Robert bailey (not verified)    January 25, 2021 - 9:45PM

I bought my 2016 sti 2.5l ej25 brand new I never got anything in the mail about this and are just finding out about this because I busted to research why my car just stalled out an died on freeway now knocks an I have an oil pan with shavings in it only ever drove on freeway with it regular oil changes didn’t hot rod it know what am I supposed to do I don’t have the money to have a shop replace the motor an hope to get payed back