Subaru STI Maintenance, Reliability, and Problems

Subaru STI Maintenance, Reliability, and Problems

May 13, 2022Austen Wageman

Subaru STI problems you may run into & STI reliability mods

Subaru STIs have been around for a while now, and they're not going anywhere anytime soon. If you're in the market for one of these cars or you already own one, it's important to know what it takes to keep them running smoothly. Subaru STIs are high-performance cars, and as such, they require regular maintenance and care, especially if you're installing aftermarket parts. Subaru STIs are great cars, but they're not perfectly made on the factory line. If you're thinking about buying one, make sure you do your research on some common Subaru STI issues. With the right care and STI replacement parts, your Subaru STI will be with you for years to come.

STI fluid change intervals

Subaru STIs are great cars- but they require a little more care than your average vehicle. One of the most important things you can do to keep your Subaru STI running smoothly is to check your fluids regularly. Depending on the year of your car, you should aim to check and top off your fluids every 5-6 months or 3,000 miles if you’re not running it hard every day or at the track every weekend. It's important to remember that Subaru STIs are performance cars. They're built for speed and handling, which means they generate a lot of heat. Checking your fluids regularly helps to ensure that your Subaru STI is running at its best, and it can help to prevent expensive repairs down the road. So don't forget to add fluid checks to your regular maintenance routine. Fluids like coolant, brake fluid, or power steering fluid need to be checked too, just to make sure they’re not black, gross, and filthy.

When it comes to high-performance vehicles like the Subaru STI, fluids are a crucial part of keeping things running smoothly. That's because each fluid serves a specific purpose and is designed to stay within a certain cavity in the car. When fluids leak out of their intended area, it can cause damage or a decrease in performance. One of the most common places for leaks to occur is the valve cover gaskets. These gaskets provide a seal between the engine and the valve cover, and over time they can wear down or become damaged. As a result, it's important to check them regularly and replace them as needed in order to maintain a proper seal. By doing so, you can help ensure that your Subaru STI stays in top condition.

Buy STI OEM gasket and seal kit

Subaru OEM gasket set (2002-2007)

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Subaru turbo failure

In general, turbochargers are designed to last the lifetime of a car. However, the factory turbochargers on the Subaru STI are known to have a common failure rate. Typically, you won't see turbo failure until around 100,000-125,000 miles. But there are a few factors that can shorten the lifespan of your factory turbocharger. Is your car modified? Are you running high boost pressure through it? Are you driving like a pro rally driver through the snow? Are you beating it up? Do you have dirty oil running through it for thousands of miles at a time? All of these factors can contribute to turbocharger failure. So if you're looking to get the most out of your turbocharger, make sure you're taking good care of it.

Subaru turbo failure symptoms

Turbocharger failure has been a common problem with the Subaru STI. There are several symptoms of turbocharger failure that you may notice, including smoking from the turbocharger coming out of the exhaust, loud whining noise, or a noticeable lack of power. Additionally, if you get a nice surprise of oil in your intercooler, charge piping, or intake, you might want to check on your turbocharger. While turbocharger failure can be caused by many things, the most common cause is simply wear and tear. Turbochargers are subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures, and over time they simply wears out. However, there are several things you can do to help extend the life of your turbocharger, including using quality engine oils and changing them regularly and avoiding extended idling. If you do experience turbocharger failure, it is important to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid damage to your engine.

Subaru STI turbo upgrade

There are plenty of really simple bolt-on options if your turbocharger does fail. We have stock location, stock style upgraded turbos. They're really easy to install without needing too many different components along the way. They'll give you some headroom for making more horsepower and you’ll cut down on the smoke out of the tailpipe or oil in your intercooler.

subaru sti turbocharger by maperformance

Browse Subaru STI turbo upgrade inventory here!

STI ringland failure

STI ringland failure is a semi-common issue affecting certain Subaru STI engines. The problem occurs when the groove that holds the piston rings cracks and breaks, causing the piston to become damaged. This can lead to a number of engine problems, including smoke out of your exhaust again, loss of power, poor idling quality, and loss of compression. STI ringland failure is most likely to occur in older Subaru models, as the newer models have a design change that helps to prevent the issue. If you think your engine may be suffering from STI ringland failure, it's important to have it looked into right away.

sti ringland failure

There are plenty of options if you are experiencing ringland failure or you lost a piston. You and your Subaru STI are not dead in the water, as there are solutions. We have various engine programs that if you wanted to do it yourself, you can buy a set of pistons directly from us. Aftermarket pistons are usually made from forged aluminum, which is even stronger. Forged pistons can withstand higher temperatures and pressures than cast pistons, making them ideal for high-performance applications like the STI. In addition, STI forged pistons are often lighter than cast pistons, reducing the overall weight of the engine. As a result, aftermarket pistons can help to improve performance and fuel efficiency. If you're looking to upgrade your pistons, aftermarket Subaru STI pistons are a great option.

sti forged pistons by maperformance

Browse Subaru STI pistons here!

Subaru STIs are high-performance cars, meaning that these cars are built for speed and require careful maintenance to keep them running properly. If you own a Subaru STI, it's important to be aware of common issues that can arise. Fortunately, we offer Subaru STI performance parts and replacement parts to help keep your car running at its best. So if you're having any problems with Subaru STI reliability, don't hesitate to give us a call. We're here to help! Call us at 1-888-MAPerformance.

Browse all Subaru STI parts.

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