Subaru Class Action: Impreza Engine Defect Should Get Warranty Coverage

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A Missouri man says Subaru must cover the cost of repairs for an engine defect in certain Impreza WRX vehicles.

Plaintiff Michael Augustine says the engines in certain models of Subaru Impreza vehicles suffer from defects in their crankshaft bearing surfaces and their engine management system. These defects together lead to premature and catastrophic engine failure, he claims.

Aggravating the problem is the fact that the vehicles owner’s manuals provide improper specifications for engine oil types and oil change schedule, Augustine says. The erroneous instructions result in the engine being inadequately lubricated and more vulnerable to damage, especially under extreme driving conditions, he claims.

The affected engines were installed in Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STi vehicles from model years 2009 through 2014, according to Augustine’s Subaru class action lawsuit. Augustine says these engines are identified by engine codes EJ255 and EJ257.

These Impreza WRX engines were allegedly developed for high-performance rally racing by modifying the designs of standard base 2.5-liter engines so they would produce almost double the horsepower.

But Augustine says Subaru failed to add modifications to the Impreza WRX engines that would prevent damage to the connecting rod bearings and main crankshaft bearings.

Failure of these parts can cause sudden power loss or stalling, compromising the driver’s ability to control the vehicle, Augustine says. In manual transmission vehicles, stalling may cause the steering wheel to lock. Lack of lubrication can cause overheated parts to seize, leading to “sudden and catastrophic engine self-destruction.”

The alleged defects cause the Subaru engines to fail far short of the Impreza WRX’s expected service life of at least 120,000, Augustine claims.

“[C]lass engines in class vehicles often fail at less than 50% of their reasonably expected useful life,” according to the Subaru class action lawsuit. Augustine says repairing these premature engine failures costs between $6,000 and $8,000.

Many Impreza WRX owners have filed complaints about the alleged defects with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Augustine says, putting Subaru on notice of the problem. He quotes several such complaints from owners who describe loud knocking noises, extreme vibration, sudden losses of power, and complete engine failure in vehicles only a few thousand miles old.

Some of these Impreza WRX owners report that their Subaru dealerships refused to cover the cost of repairs under the vehicle’s warranty.

Augustine wants to represent a plaintiff Class that would cover all persons who have owned or leased one of the Subaru Impreza vehicles at issue within the U.S. and sustained monetary loss or diminution in value resulting from the defendants’ conduct. He also proposes a subclass to cover Class Members who purchased or leased their Subaru in Missouri.

He is asking for an award of damages and restitution to cover the cost of engine repairs and incidental expenses, plus a declaratory judgment stating that all class vehicles claims are within the scope of the vehicles’ warranty coverage.

Augustine is represented by attorneys Gary Graifman and Jay Brody of Kantrowitz Goldhamer & Graifman PC and by Thomas Sobran of Thomas P. Sobran PC.

The Subaru Impreza WRX Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Augustine v. Subaru of America Inc. and Subaru Corp., Case No. 2:17-cv-13099, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

UPDATE: March 2019, the Subaru engine failure class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.