Subaru engines and transmissions

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

Modern Subarus use four BOXER engine families. The EJ25 2.5L ran through the 2021 WRX STI. The FB25 2.5L has powered mainstream models since 2011. The FA20 2.0L covered the BRZ and turbo WRX/Forester XT, and the FA24 2.4L turbo has powered the Ascent, Outback XT, Legacy XT and WRX since 2019. Most pair with the Lineartronic CVT.

Each page below gives Subaru-published specifications, horsepower and torque by model year and application, the models and years each engine went into (checked against EPA listings), and the powertrain recalls in NHTSA records. Figures come from Subaru press releases, Subaru Corporation specification sheets, EPA data and official court records; where Subaru has not published a figure, the page leaves it blank.

Engine family overviews

Subaru BOXER engines (EJ25, FB25, FA20, FA24): every generation compared — A Subaru BOXER engine is horizontally opposed: the pistons lie flat and face each other in a symmetrical side-to-side layout, so their forces cancel out.

Subaru BOXER engines

Subaru BOXER engines: model years and peak Subaru-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems	Recalls
2.5L EJ25 BOXER (non-turbo and turbo)Subaru EJ25 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder, naturally aspirated and turbocharged, US 1996–2021	1996–2012 · 2004–2021	341 hp / 330 lb-ft	0	1
2.5L FB25 BOXERSubaru FB25 2,498 cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder, DOHC, US 2011–present	2011–2018 · 2019–present	182 hp / 178 lb-ft	1	1
2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turboSubaru FA20 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four, naturally aspirated (BRZ) and direct-injection turbo (Forester XT, WRX), US 2013–2021	2013–2020 · 2014–2021	268 hp / 258 lb-ft	0	2
2.4L FA24 BOXER (turbo and BRZ naturally aspirated)Subaru FA24 2,387 cc horizontally opposed four, direct-injection turbo (Ascent, Outback XT, Legacy XT, WRX) and 2.4L naturally aspirated (BRZ), US 2019–present	2019–present · 2022–present · 2022–present	271 hp / 277 lb-ft	0	1

2.5L EJ25 BOXER (non-turbo and turbo) years, specs and problems — The EJ25 is Subaru's earlier 2.5-liter BOXER four.
2.5L FB25 BOXER years, specs and problems — The FB25 is Subaru's 2,498 cc, DOHC 2.5-liter BOXER four, introduced in the 2011 Forester.
2.0L FA20 BOXER (BRZ) and FA20 DIT turbo years, specs and problems — The FA20 is Subaru's 2.0-liter FA-series BOXER four.
2.4L FA24 BOXER (turbo and BRZ naturally aspirated) years, specs and problems — The FA24 is Subaru's 2,387 cc, 2.4-liter direct-injection turbo BOXER four.

Transmission

Transmission: model years and peak Subaru-published output
Engine	Model years	Peak output	Known problems	Recalls
Lineartronic CVTSubaru Lineartronic chain-type continuously variable transmission, US 2010–present	2010–2012 · 2012–present	—	0	6

Lineartronic CVT years, specs and problems — Lineartronic is Subaru's chain-type continuously variable transmission.

Know which engine and transmission a car was built with.

Subaru builds the same model with more than one engine, transmission and drivetrain. The CarWhere Subaru build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Subaru build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What engine does my Subaru have?

Most 2011-on Foresters, 2013-on Outbacks and Legacys, and 2021-on Crosstreks have the FB25 2.5L. Turbo Ascents, Outbacks, Legacys and 2022-on WRXs have the FA24 2.4L. The 2015–2021 WRX and 2014–2018 Forester XT have the FA20 turbo, and the WRX STI the EJ25 turbo.

Which Subaru engine is best?

It depends on the job. The FB25 is the mainstream 2.5L, at 180–182 hp in current models. The FA24 turbo adds 260–271 hp for towing and performance, and the regular WRX STI's EJ25 turbo made up to 310 hp. Each engine page lists its recall history.

Do Subarus still have head gasket problems?

CarWhere checked every Subaru campaign in the NHTSA recall dataset and none covers head gaskets on any engine. The current FB25 and FA24 engines replaced the EJ25, whose non-turbo version left the lineup after 2012.

Do all Subarus have a CVT?

Nearly every automatic Subaru since the 2010 Legacy and Outback uses the Lineartronic CVT, including the automatic WRX. The BRZ uses a six-speed manual or a conventional six-speed automatic, and several models still offer a manual.

Where do these figures come from?

Horsepower and torque come from Subaru's US press releases and Subaru Corporation specification sheets, model years from Subaru and EPA fuel-economy listings, and recalls from the NHTSA recall dataset. Unit counts cover each whole campaign, not just one model.

Sources

Each engine page lists its own detailed sources. Key references across the guide:

50th Anniversary of Subaru Horizontally-Opposed "Boxer" Engine (May 10, 2016) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
Subaru Reaches 15 Million Production of Horizontally-Opposed "Boxer" Engines (Feb. 17, 2015) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
Fuji Heavy Industries news release on the WRX FA20 DIT Ward's 10 Best Engines award (Dec. 12, 2014) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
World Premiere of All-New 2020 Subaru Outback (US-spec specifications, Apr. 18, 2019) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
World Premiere of All-New 2019 Forester (US-spec specifications, Mar. 29, 2018) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
Subaru Debuts All-New Ascent 3-Row SUV (specifications, Nov. 29, 2017) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
Subaru Debuts Next-Generation Hybrid System (Oct. 17, 2024) — Subaru Corporation (subaru.co.jp)
Subaru to Introduce All-New 2010 Legacy at New York International Auto Show (Mar. 30, 2009) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Announces Pricing on All-New 2010 Outback (Apr. 28, 2009) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)
Subaru Announces Pricing on New 2010 Impreza (July 28, 2009) — Subaru of America, Inc. (media.subaru.com)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America, Inc. or Subaru Corporation. Subaru and the model names are trademarks of their owners.