AI Damage2020 Subaru WRX: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Subaru WRX filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 267 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 267
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 18% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 18% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 12% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 165.
- Engine: 3 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (18% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 165 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 91 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the impact caused the vehicle to hit a light post, the air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to lock. The contact stated five days prior her son was driving and the brake pedal failed to engaged while coming to a stop light.
The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into neutral (N), the instrument panel displayed that the transmission was shifted in reverse (R), and the rearview camera image was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
2020 WRX: TR690 (CVT) transmission that the car came equipped with, began leaking between the engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noticed during an oil change at 71686 miles but not identified as (CVT) transmission fluid immediately, it was cleaned and assumed to be oil spill.
Parasitic battery problem My car battery keeps dying on my Subaru sti 2020 after one day of not driving. I have had the car checked with Subaru dealership and a local shop but no issues were found. This morning I had to get my car jumped again after not driving it for one day.
I purchased the vehicle used with 33800 miles and at 34100 the engine stalled and was hard to start, once started it was knocking severely. I have seen a class action law suit based on the same issues but the 2020 model year is not included
Rear passenger seatbelts fraying. My two children are sitting in the back seat, there is no warning that my seatbelts were frayed putting their life at risk! Took the car to the dealership to have them check what is going on with the seatbelt mechanism, they said “there is no mechanical issue, therefore it is not…
The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that telematics control module needed to be replaced.
Have had this car since late 2019 around November and it is now 2022 and I'm at 25k miles in my battery is already failing I have had it tested and the cold cranking amps are why below where they should be causing the car not be able to start at time .
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,312 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 38% least complained about).
On average one model year of the WRX has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 17, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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 bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 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…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Techtips newsletter locator index
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing…
This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and…
- This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from…
This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.
NHTSA lists 267 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru WRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (12%), warning lights, check engine (12%), airbags did not deploy (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA lists 267 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Subaru WRX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
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.