Subaru WRX Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 146 of the 428 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Subaru WRX (34.1%) name the transmission, 2.7× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2008, 2009 and 2015.
Transmission complaints
146
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
34.1%
of 428 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Subaru WRX transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008WORST | 49 | 72.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2009WORST | 34 | 79.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 20% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 33.3% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2013 | 6 | 66.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 16.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015WORST | 18 | 32.7% | 0 | — | 48 |
| 2016 | 4 | 11.8% | 0 | — | 42 |
| 2017 | 11 | 20.8% | 0 | — | 39 |
| 2018 | 6 | 13.6% | 1 | — | 34 |
| 2019 | 2 | 6.7% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 11.8% | 0 | — | 18 |
| 2021 | 6 | 46.2% | 0 | — | 10 |
| 2022 | 3 | 12.5% | 0 | — | 18 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 23V754000 | 24 |
| 2024 | 2 | 15.4% | 0 | — | 16 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 3 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Subaru WRX transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 146 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Subaru WRX years to avoid for the transmission
2008 Subaru WRX
49 transmission complaints (72.1% of the year's 68). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2009 Subaru WRX
34 transmission complaints (79.1% of the year's 43). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2015 Subaru WRX
18 transmission complaints (32.7% of the year's 55). Most often described: will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Subaru WRX years to avoid.
Subaru WRX transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Subaru WRX model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 23V754000 · 2023-11-09 · 2023 models
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Which transmission does the Subaru WRX use?
- Subaru CVT — 2015–2018 (extension years)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Subaru WRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 49 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2008 Subaru WRX, 72.1% of all 68 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (1 complaints).
Does the 2009 Subaru WRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 34 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2009 Subaru WRX, 79.1% of all 43 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (1 complaints).
Does the 2015 Subaru WRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 18 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Subaru WRX, 32.7% of all 55 complaints for that year. The most common description is "will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse" (2 complaints).
Which Subaru WRX years have the most transmission complaints?
2008 (49), 2009 (34) and 2015 (18), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Subaru WRX transmission problems?
In the 146 transmission complaints, owners most often describe slipping or revving without accelerating (5.5%), loss of power or limp mode (5.5%) and jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (3.4%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Subaru WRX model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration