Lemberg Law is investigating complaints that the 2022 Subaru WRX has a serious engine problem that is caused by leaking RTV sealant. Vehicle owners report that excess RTV sealant clogs the oil pan and filter and screen causing oil starvation in the engine.
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There doesn’t seem to be an engine problem with the 2022 WRX as such. However, there is a major problem with the RTV gasket used to seal the oil pan. Excess silicone sealant on the inside of the pan spills out into the oil pickup area and contaminates the engine. If left untreated, this has the potential to cause total engine failure.
This is the same problem owners of the 2022 Subaru BRZ and the 2022 Toyota GR86 have. It’s not surprising since the engines of all three vehicles are basically the same. And that’s because the two Japanese automakers, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Subaru Corporation share interests. Specifically, Toyota has close to a 20% share of Subaru.
Complaints made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) include reports of disastrous engine failure. These include reports of vehicles exploding after the engine has blown up.
There are also online forums that have ongoing discussions about the issues many owners are facing, including the fact that the manufacturers are refusing to cover repairs or replacement parts on the warranty.
2022 Subaru WRX owners are finding traces of RTV silicone in the engines of their vehicles. They say that the RTV clogs up essential components of the engine block including the oil pickup tube that draws and releases oil from the pan. Some have discovered that the RTV sealant causes oil starvation in the engine. This can result in catastrophic damage that could destroy the engine.
Here are some of the comments from 2022 Subaru WRX owners have made in complaints to the NHTSA. Some include references to both the BRZ and GR86.
Almost all the complaints lodged with the NHTSA are about the 2022 Subaru WRX engine and RTV gasket and sealant issue. While some of the complaints are short and not very sweet, others go into a fair amount of detail. One of the short complaints is from an owner in Ohio who points out that “excessive use of RTV is finding its way into (the) oil pan and clogging (the) oil pick up.” This will “most likely cause oil starvation to the engine” and “needs to be addressed by Subaru ASAP.”
Another, short complaint is from an owner in Pennsylvania who states that the problem “caused engine failure from oil starvation at under 4000 miles.” Unsurprisingly, this Subaru WRX’s oil pickup tube was “filled with bits of liquid gasket/RTV.”
An owner from Michigan states that excessive silicone RTV “is making its way into the oil pan, going up into the oil pickup, and is starving the motor of oil.” This “could be very dangerous if it happens on the road.” The complaint states that the problem needs to be looked at immediately by Subaru.
An owner from Massachusetts states that there have been “many credible reports with evidence that an excessive amount of RTV is used in the oil pan area, causing enough silicone to become lodged within the lines. This can and will cause the motor to fail as oil starvation can occur. Removing the oil pan would void the warranty and is not in a serviceable location. Subaru of America has been made aware of these reports but has not responded with a recall.”
“There is a huge concern about excess RTV getting into the oil pick up that will cause oil starvation in the engine once enough particles of RTV have caused obstruction,” says an owner from Maryland. “The 2022 WRX has the same engine FA24 as the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86. Both have had issues with excess RTV in the oil can and have caused catastrophic damage.”
The complaint continues to point out that “removal of RTV is very labor-intensive as the header must be dropped in order to get the oil pan off. You cannot remove the oil pick up without taking the entire front timing cover off either. In conclusion, most will not be able to have this cleaned out themselves and would only have the option to pay the dealership or an independent shop to do the work.”
The complaint starts with the well known fact that excessive RTV has been used to seal the engine and oil pan of the WRX. This is “clogging the oil pickup in the oil pan.”
It goes on to say that “many 2022 Subaru WRX owners have had a technician take off the oil pan to inspect the oil pickup and inside the oil pan. They are finding lots of grey RTV as well as black RTV. Both grey and black are used to seal the engine in different areas. This is very concerning especially since most of these cars are under the 1st oil change time and mileage. Under 6000 miles…
“Long term there will be a significantly greater amount of floating RTV that will inevitably clog the oil pick up… My 2022 WRX only has 400 miles on it and I am already losing sleep over this very serious global issue with this engine.”
An owner from Pennsylvania has discovered “some type of black silicone” inside the oil pan and upper pan. The sealant has also clogged a screen that the oil passed through. “I have seen many people online do this pan drop time and time again and still having big chunks blocking its path to (the) engine. I’m afraid of oil deprivation. This will ultimately destroy the entire motor. This could lead to serious injury or death if the motor suddenly goes.”
Lemberg Law is now investigating complaints about the 2022 Subaru WRX. So, if you find that RTV sealant is negatively affecting the engine of your Subaru WRX, you might be dealing with a lemon. All you have to do is complete a case evaluation form or call us. There is no charge for participation. And according to the law, Subaru will have to pay all the legal bills if our investigation results in a lemon law action.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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