Subaru WRX problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 211 owner complaints and 22 recalls on file for the Subaru WRX (2005–2025). The 2017 WRX has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints: 211
Recalls: 22
Model years: 21
Worst year: 2017

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Subaru WRX model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Subaru WRX years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2017 Subaru WRX — 38 complaints, 5 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
2022 Subaru WRX — 25 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
2018 Subaru WRX — 32 complaints, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
2019 Subaru WRX — 29 complaints; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2014 (0 complaints).

Every Subaru WRX model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2025 WRX	2	0	0	0	0	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 WRX	13	0	0	0	0	Transmission & Drivetrain
2023 WRX	8	2	0	0	1	Engine
2022 WRX	25	3	1	0	1	Engine
2021 WRX	13	0	0	0	1	Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 WRX	16	1	0	1	1	Electrical System
2019 WRX	29	0	0	0	2	Electrical System
2018 WRX	32	0	1	0	2	Engine
2017 WRX	38	5	2	5	1	Electrical System
2016 WRX	16	0	1	0	3	Electrical System
2015 WRX	19	0	0	0	3	Engine
2014 WRX	0	0	0	0	10	—
2013 WRX	0	0	0	0	11	—
2012 WRX	0	0	0	0	12	—
2011 WRX	0	0	0	0	11	—
2010 WRX	0	0	0	0	12	—
2009 WRX	0	0	0	0	10	—
2008 WRX	0	0	0	0	7	—
2007 WRX	0	0	0	0	3	—
2006 WRX	0	0	0	0	3	—
2005 WRX	0	0	0	0	4	—

Most common Subaru WRX problem areas (all years)

Engine
67 complaints
Electrical System
55 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
33 complaints
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
17 complaints
Visibility & Wipers
15 complaints
Airbags
10 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
7 complaints
Lighting
6 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Subaru WRX received by NHTSA each month.

Subaru WRX recalls

Recall 23V754000Nov 9, 20234,701 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V076000Feb 13, 2023130 vehiclesModel years 2005
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 23V016000Jan 23, 20234,615 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 22V522000Jul 21, 202259,934 vehiclesModel years 2015–2021
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V587000Jul 29, 2021175,968 vehiclesModel years 2018–2019
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 20V001000Jan 2, 2020258,813 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V003000Jan 2, 2020111,562 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V002000Jan 2, 2020127,547 vehiclesModel years 2005–2014
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V297000Apr 11, 2019511 vehiclesModel years 2008–2014
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V149000Feb 28, 20191,303,530 vehiclesModel years 2008–2014
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Recall 19V009000Jan 9, 2019452,630 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V007000Jan 9, 201943,394 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V008000Jan 9, 2019330,120 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V012000Jan 9, 201864,179 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V014000Jan 9, 201872,150 vehiclesModel years 2009
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V013000Jan 9, 201893,209 vehiclesModel years 2009–2010
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 17V625000Oct 6, 20179,178 vehiclesModel years 2015
Risk: An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier, and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
Recall 17V014000Jan 10, 201753,480 vehiclesModel years 2012
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 16V162000Mar 21, 201618,187 vehiclesModel years 2015–2016
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 15V366000Jun 12, 201571,710 vehiclesModel years 2016
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 14V830000Dec 31, 2014200,064 vehiclesModel years 2008–2014
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 14V311000Jun 10, 2014461,338 vehiclesModel years 2008–2014
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Other Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology