AI Damage2024 Subaru WRX: common problems
Owners of the 2024 Subaru WRX filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and forward collision avoidance. The maker issued 180 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 180
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 2 Forward collision avoidance 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Forward collision avoidance: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Engine: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Structure: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
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 2 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 21 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 41 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 114 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Without any warning lights, unusual noises, or prior symptoms, the front differential experienced a violent mechanical lock-up. This unexpected locking of the drivetrain instantly disrupted the vehicle's forward momentum at highway speeds, threatening control of the vehicle and creating an immediate risk of a…
On February 3, 2026, while driving approximately 80 mph on Interstate 10, the manual transmission shifter bypassed the 6th gear detent entirely and moved toward the reverse gear position, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. I prevented full reverse engagement only through physical intervention.
The component failing is the side skirts or, as officially described in the Subaru parts diagram, the „Side Spoiler“. It can also be found as part numbers 96051, and 96051A. It can be easily visually inspected.
There were two separate instances where the collision warning picked up "something" that caused it to brake unexpectedly and hard causing ABS to trigger and everything getting thrown off the seats. I have no idea what even caused it. One other instance is when the vehicle in front of me suddenly braked unexpectedly.
And once at about 40 MPH the Same mirror also vibrates while driving. The retailer I choose has replaced the mirror glass twice and the mirror housing once, it had done nothing to fix it.
I could have easily lost power while merging on a highway instead of a lower speed turn and endangered the welfare of my two daughters. Subsequent tear down by Parkway Subaru confirmed that 3rd gear had experienced catastrophic failure with hardly any gear teeth remaining on 3rd gear.
Driving my car as any person would, at the 3519 mile mark on the odometer the engine low oil light came on, it took (1.5Q) of oil to top it off. This is a brand new car no one buys a new car to add oil to it, then to get told by the dealership that it’s normal for up to (2Q) of oil to be added because it’s the only…
Additionally, the contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was almost rear-ended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150.
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 1,374 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 35% least complained about).
On average one model year of the WRX has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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.
- 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 a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment…
"This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering."
- 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 bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering.
- 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.
NHTSA lists 180 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 2024 Subaru WRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, forward collision avoidance, engine. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (36%), warning lights, check engine (14%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2024 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA lists 180 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 2024 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 2024 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.