SubaruImpreza WRX STI2011Overview/subaru/impreza-wrx-sti/2011/base/

2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Impreza WRX STI.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI is a passenger car equipped with an S4 automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, with routine maintenance calling for 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. This model year carries a notably troubled reliability record, with 57 total owner complaints and 14 recalls logged, the most frequently cited issue centering on the air bag system. For a researcher evaluating this platform, those figures place the 2011 STI among the more problem-prone entries in the model's history, meaning any prospective study or ownership assessment should weigh recall remediation and air bag system integrity as primary concerns.

Model year201420132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3384 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT and TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12.0 ohms
Engine Compression148-185 psi. 7 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket59 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket114 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135 ft. lbs., step 2: 6035 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,250 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 137,500 mi. The big-interval services (at 137,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 1,250 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 3,750 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery Cable (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injection System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI lead in one area — the air bags, 14 of 57 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 19V-007 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 5 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

14
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
243
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
57
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 57 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags14
Electrical System6
Visibility4
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Visibility/Wiper3
Unknown Or Other2
Engine2
Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

19V007000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida… Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 243 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza WRX STI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Impreza WRX STI take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Impreza WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 14 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza WRX STI get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.