Subaru WRX problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most significant documented WRX problems are recalls: Takata passenger air bag inflators on 2004–2014 WRX and STI models, corroding brake lines and a failing brake light switch on 2008–2014 cars, a turbo intake duct that can crack and stall 2015–2016 models, and a corroding backup light switch on 2015–2021 models.

CarWhere lists 10 documented WRX issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

WRX generations at a glance

Subaru WRX generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
Impreza WRX, first US generation2002–2007Fuel line may leak in extreme cold (recall 09V468) · Takata passenger air bag inflators (recall 20V001)
Impreza WRX, second US generation2008–2014Brake lines may corrode in salt-belt states (recall 14V311) · Brake light switch may fail (recall 19V149)
Fourth generation2015–2021Turbo air intake duct may crack and stall the engine (recall 16V162) · Backup light switch may corrode (recall 22V522) · Optional trunk subwoofer wiring may short (recall 17V625) · Low-pressure fuel pump may fail (recall 21V587) · Battery drain: class settlement for 2015–2020 WRXs
Fifth generation2022 onwardFront driveshaft outer race may crack (recall 23V754)

Impreza WRX, first US generation WRX problems (2002–2007)

Fuel line may leak in extreme cold (recall 09V468) (2002–2003)

Safety recall
Generation:
Impreza WRX, first US generation (2002–2007)
Years:
2002–2003
Powertrain:
All

On 2002–2003 Impreza WRXs in cold-weather states, the fuel delivery line can leak where it joins a rubber hose during very cold starts, creating a fire risk. Dealers replace the fuel line free of charge. NHTSA lists 5,724 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Fuel smell after a cold start

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the fuel line replacement

NHTSA recall: 09V468 (2009-12-04) · 5,724 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Takata passenger air bag inflators (recall 20V001) (2004–2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
Impreza WRX, first US generation (2002–2007) and second US generation
Years:
2004–2014
Powertrain:
All

WRX and STI models from 2004–2014 are covered by Takata passenger air bag inflator recalls, split by climate zone, because the inflator can rupture in a crash. Campaign 20V001 (with 20V002 and 20V003) replaced earlier replacement inflators with an alternate design; earlier campaigns include 17V014, 18V012 and 19V007. 23V076 rechecks some 2004–2005 inflators that may have been installed incorrectly. The 258,813 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 20V001, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the passenger air bag inflator replacement
  • If the car lived in a hot, humid state, check that every Takata campaign on the VIN is closed, including the 2020 re-replacement

NHTSA recall: 20V001 (2020-01-02) · 258,813 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Impreza WRX, second US generation WRX problems (2008–2014)

Brake lines may corrode in salt-belt states (recall 14V311) (2008–2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
Impreza WRX, second US generation (2008–2014)
Years:
2008–2014
Powertrain:
All

In salt-belt states (and on request elsewhere), road salt can splash onto the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector and corrode them until brake fluid leaks, lengthening stopping distances. Dealers check for leaks, apply anti-corrosion wax and replace lines that seep, free of charge. Follow-up campaign 14V830 added more anti-corrosion wax to cars already repaired. The 461,338 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 14V311, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • Brake pedal sinks or feels soft

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the brake line inspection and treatment

NHTSA recall: 14V311 (2014-06-10) · 461,338 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [9][10]

Brake light switch may fail (recall 19V149) (2008–2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
Impreza WRX, second US generation (2008–2014)
Years:
2008–2014
Powertrain:
All

On 2008–2014 WRX and STI sedans (and many Forester, Impreza and Crosstrek models), contamination can make the brake light switch malfunction, so the brake lights may not come on. Dealers replace the switch free of charge. The 1,303,530 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 19V149, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • Brake lights not working

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the brake light switch replacement

NHTSA recall: 19V149 (2019-02-28) · 1,303,530 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [11]

Fourth generation WRX problems (2015–2021)

Turbo air intake duct may crack and stall the engine (recall 16V162) (2015–2016)

Safety recall
Generation:
Fourth generation (2015–2021)
Years:
2015–2016
Powertrain:
2.0L turbo (WRX)

On 2015–2016 WRXs (and Forester 2.0XTs) built April–October 2015, the turbocharger air intake duct can crack, which may stall the engine. Dealers check the duct lot number and replace it as needed, free of charge. The 18,187 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 16V162, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls or loses boost
  • Check-engine light

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the turbocharger intake duct inspection

NHTSA recall: 16V162 (2016-03-21) · 18,187 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [12]

Backup light switch may corrode (recall 22V522) (2015–2021)

Safety recall
Generation:
Fourth generation (2015–2021)
Years:
2015–2021
Powertrain:
All

The backup light switch on 2015–2021 WRXs can corrode and stop working, so the reverse lights and rearview camera image may not come on in reverse. Dealers inspect and replace the switch as needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 59,934 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Backup camera does not appear in reverse
  • Reverse lights out

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the backup light switch replacement

NHTSA recall: 22V522 (2022-07-21) · 59,934 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [13]

Optional trunk subwoofer wiring may short (recall 17V625) (2015)

Safety recall
Generation:
Fourth generation (2015–2021)
Years:
2015
Powertrain:
With factory subwoofer

On 2015 WRX and STI models with the optional factory subwoofer, cargo in the trunk can push the subwoofer wiring against its metal frame and short it, which can overheat the amplifier and create a fire risk. Dealers add a retainer clip and replace the subwoofer as needed. NHTSA lists 9,178 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Subwoofer cuts out
  • Burning smell from the trunk

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the subwoofer wire inspection

NHTSA recall: 17V625 (2017-10-06) · 9,178 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [14]

Low-pressure fuel pump may fail (recall 21V587) (2018–2019)

Safety recall
Generation:
Fourth generation (2015–2021)
Years:
2018–2019
Powertrain:
All

The in-tank low-pressure fuel pump on certain 2018–2019 WRXs (and several other Subaru and Toyota models) may fail and stall the engine. Dealers replace the pump free of charge. The 175,968 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 21V587, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls or will not restart

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the low-pressure fuel pump replacement

NHTSA recall: 21V587 (2021-07-29) · 175,968 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [15]

Battery drain: class settlement for 2015–2020 WRXs (2015–2020)

Minor
Generation:
Fourth generation (2015–2021)
Years:
2015–2020
Powertrain:
All

A class action alleged that the electrical system in 2015–2020 WRXs (and Outback, Forester, Legacy and 2019–2020 Ascent) could keep drawing current after shutdown and drain the battery. The court approved a settlement in January 2023 that extended warranty coverage for qualifying battery failures. Subaru denied the claims.

Symptoms

  • Dead battery after sitting

Check before buying

  • Have the battery and parasitic draw tested

Sources: [17][18]

Fifth generation WRX problems (2022 onward)

Front driveshaft outer race may crack (recall 23V754) (2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
Fifth generation (2022 onward)
Years:
2023
Powertrain:
All

The outer race of the front driveshafts on certain 2023 WRXs (and some 2023–2024 Forester, Crosstrek and Impreza models) can crack and break, causing a loss of drive power or a rollaway if parked without the parking brake. Dealers inspect and replace the driveshafts as needed. The 4,701 figure covers every vehicle in campaign 23V754, not just the WRX.

Symptoms

  • Clicking or clunking from the front when turning

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Subaru retailer for the repair order showing the front driveshaft inspection

NHTSA recall: 23V754 (2023-11-09) · 4,701 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [16]

Related WRX research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a WRX was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Subaru build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Subaru build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Which WRX years have Takata air bag recalls?

2004–2014 WRX and STI models are included in Takata passenger air bag inflator recalls, split by climate zone, including 17V014, 18V012, 19V007 and the 2020 re-replacement campaigns 20V001–20V003. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge.

Is there an engine stall recall on the WRX?

Yes. Recall 16V162 covers 2015–2016 WRXs built April–October 2015 whose turbo air intake duct can crack and stall the engine, and 21V587 covers 2018–2019 WRXs whose low-pressure fuel pump can fail.

Why does my WRX backup camera not work?

On 2015–2021 WRXs, recall 22V522 covers a backup light switch that can corrode, leaving the reverse lights and rearview camera image off in reverse. Dealers inspect and replace the switch free of charge.

Do older WRXs have rust recalls?

Yes. Recall 14V311 covers 2008–2014 WRX and STI models in salt-belt states whose brake lines can corrode near the fuel tank and leak; dealers treat or replace the lines free of charge.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Recall 09V468: Fuel System, Gasoline — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  2. Recall 20V001: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  3. Recall 20V002: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  4. Recall 20V003: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  5. Recall 17V014: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  6. Recall 18V012: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  7. Recall 19V007: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  8. Recall 23V076: Air Bags — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  9. Recall 14V311: Service Brakes, Hydraulic — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  10. Recall 14V830: Service Brakes, Hydraulic — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  11. Recall 19V149: Exterior Lighting — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  12. Recall 16V162: Engine And Engine Cooling — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  13. Recall 22V522: Exterior Lighting — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  14. Recall 17V625: Electrical System — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  15. Recall 21V587: Fuel System, Gasoline — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  16. Recall 23V754: Power Train — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  17. In re Subaru Battery Drain Products Liability Litigation, No. 1:20-cv-03095 (D.N.J.): official settlement website — JND Legal Administration (court-appointed settlement administrator)
  18. Subaru Battery Settlement: frequently asked questions — JND Legal Administration (court-appointed settlement administrator)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America, Inc. or Subaru Corporation. Subaru and the model names are trademarks of their owners.