AI DamageSubaru WRX: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru WRX across 11 model years: 241 owner complaints and 591 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 70 complaints (29% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 288.
- Electrical system: 60 complaints (25% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,344.
- Powertrain: 39 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 194.
- Steering: 17 complaints (7% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Visibility: 17 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2015–2021named in 1 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2022–2026
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2015–2021
- CVT 2015–2026named in 6 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2015–2026named in 9 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 241 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 | 2 | 288 |
| Electrical system | 60 | 5 | 1,344 |
| Powertrain | 39 | 0 | 194 |
| Steering | 17 | 8 | 21 |
| Visibility | 17 | 1 | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 | 82 |
| Air bags | 13 | 10 | 19 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 5 | 31 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 65 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 16 |
| Wheels | 6 | 2 | 26 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 41 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 39 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The axle broke immediately and no airbags deployed followed my the entire engine compartment catching fire.
Factory brake system is weak to slow down. The tree on the road stopped my car faster than the brakes did. Many videos and internet posts document this. Quick google search will provide a lot of information.
I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older [dealer] who collided with me went off and mine did not. Surprisingly. My head was slammed against the B pillar and a small bruise on my leg.
Airbags did not deploy, however I have reasonable suspicion to believe my head hit the A pillar during impact.
Going about 55mph, I struck a deer head on. It struck towards the center, but more so on the passenger side. During the impact, no airbags deployed, however, based off IIHS videos, it seems likely that they should have.
The car then rolled down the driveway into a tree. This could have been a disaster if the tree wasn’t there to stop the driverless vehicle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
- "This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment…
- This bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit
- This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display…
- This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Restoring a Crash Damaged Hyper Blue 2016 WRX Sedan | Project Car Rebuild Journey PT 2
- Rebuilding 2016 Subaru WRX from Copart Part 1
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2019 Subaru WRX/STI With Severe Frame Damage Part 2
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2019 Subaru WRX/STI With Severe Frame Damage Part 6
- Rebuilding Totaled 2019 Subaru STI in 12 Minutes
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.