AI Damage2022 Subaru WRX: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Subaru WRX filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 255 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 255
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 60% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 8% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 15 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 168.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- CVT
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 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 | 15 | 0 | 36 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 168 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 67 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 4 |
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.
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.
The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front-end collision; however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that there were no illuminating lights. The contact stated that his wife sustained no injuries.
The car has randomly on multiple occasions failed to accelerate then jump forward hitting the rev limiter. This has happened while merging back into traffic including 55 mph roads creating concern for being rear ended and also concerns for hitting vehicles in front when the car jumps forward as there is no control…
During driving, especially when it is cold outside, the Subaru Eyesight Pre-Collision system (automatic emergency braking) can be triggered by exhaust smoke from a vehicle in front of it. The braking system can be falsely activated, which could cause your vehicle to be hit from behind.
Hood vibration (visual) when driving and going over minor bumps.
It killed the engine but the electrical components stayed on, such as lights, interior dash gauge, air conditioning, radio, everything else functioned as if the car were on and running however, i couldn't start the vehicle and the push button did not generate any response from the vehicle.
Over time I’ve noticed a burning smell from the engine bay area and the exhaust. I know different models of Subaru have the same engine type and have all faced this issue causing catastrophic damage to the engine. And so far I have not heard Subaru making any headway to fix the issue.
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 1,162 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 45% least complained about).
On average one model year of the WRX has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 25, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
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
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.
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
(SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the…
- 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 bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit
- This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the…
This service bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from the exhaust after startup. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for…
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to address SYMPTOM 1
A jerk or judder sensation felt from the powertrain during braking with the air conditioning on. SYPMTOM 2: A shudder is felt from the powertrain along with a screeching type of sound. This is an revised version of the…
NHTSA lists 255 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 2022 Subaru WRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (12%), infotainment or screen glitches (12%), smoke, burning smell, fire (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA lists 255 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 2022 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 2022 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.