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Engine comparison

Subaru FA24
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Subaru FA24
Verdict
SOLID · 68/100
Est. cost /3yr
€2,700–5,400 over 3 years including premium synthetic oil at 8,000 km intervals, brake consumables, and allowance for minor gasket and sensor maintenance on a well-kept example
Oil interval
8,000 km
Recalls
2
Worst issue
Timing Chain Noise and Wear
HIGH
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
Timing Chain Noise and Wear
€1,500-4,000
HIGH
Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leaks
€150-400
MODERATE
EyeSight False Braking Events
€0-200
MODERATE
Head Gasket Lifting Under Aggressive Tune
€800-2,500
MODERATE
Premature Front Brake Pad Wear
€150-350
LOW
Plastic Exterior Trim Degradation
€50-300
LOW
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
•Pull the dipstick and check for milky or sludgy oil indicating coolant intrusion or neglected changes – walk away if found
•Cold-start the engine and listen for timing chain rattle or grinding, especially in the first 30 seconds before oil pressure builds
•Remove ignition coils and inspect spark plug wells for oil contamination indicating failed valve cover gaskets
•Verify all NHTSA recalls (control arm weld, CVT shift cable) have been completed via the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov
•Test EyeSight system on a highway section and confirm dealer has applied latest available EyeSight software updates
•Check front brake pad thickness and rotor condition – pads can wear prematurely, and a low-mileage car should not need immediate brake work
•Ask if the car has ever been tuned, and if so, request proof of supporting hardware (upgraded fueling, head studs) rather than just an ECU flash
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
Timing Chain and Tensioner
Inspect for noise at every oil change; replace chain, tensioner, and guides at first sign of rattle or at engine rebuild
80,000-120,000 km
Valve Cover Gaskets and Spark Plug Tube Seals
Inspect during every spark plug service; replace gaskets and tube seals proactively if oil is found in plug wells
60,000-100,000 km
EyeSight Camera Calibration and Software
Verify all available EyeSight software updates have been applied at dealer; recalibrate after any windshield replacement
0-50,000 km
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
Front Suspension Lower Control Arm
Left-front lower control arm weld may fail, potentially causing loss of vehicle control
CVT Shift Linkage Cable
CVT select lever cable may allow unintended gear selection, increasing rollaway and crash risk
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
✓Well-regarded FA-series architecture designed for reduced weight without sacrificing durability
✓Timing chain design eliminates scheduled belt replacement cost
✓Strong community evidence of high-mileage reliability when maintenance is strictly observed
✓Boxer layout provides low centre of gravity and inherent balance
✓Responsive single-turbo setup with 350 Nm torque well-suited to everyday performance driving
✓Active NASIOC and WRX community with extensive DIY documentation and aftermarket support
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
Real consumption
10.2 L/100km
Official consumption
Not available
Oil interval
8,000 km
Oil spec
0W-20 full synthetic meeting Subaru's ILSAC GF-6 or API SP specification; community strongly recommends 5,000–8,000 km intervals for turbocharged use over the manufacturer's extended drain schedule
Est. cost /3yr
€2,700–5,400 over 3 years including premium synthetic oil at 8,000 km intervals, brake consumables, and allowance for minor gasket and sensor maintenance on a well-kept example
Subaru FA24
VB · VB Gen5
271 hp · 350 Nm
2021-2025
296 hp · 400 Nm
2020-2025
The higher-output Japan/Australia tune gets its extra power mainly from ECU mapping and a CVT-only drivetrain, not from stronger internal engine components, so it should not be assumed more durable than the North American manual/CVT version. Regardless of market or power figure, the timing chain and valve cover condition depend far more on service history and whether the car has been tuned beyond stock than on which factory state of tune it left the factory with.