Subaru WRX recall history
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Subaru WRX, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Subaru WRX. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Subaru WRX, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 2002–2024 with 104 recall campaigns and 1193 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2012 (12), 2010 (12), and 2013 (11).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2002 (461), 2008 (119), and 2015 (73).
- Top recall themes: Airbags, Brakes, and Electrical.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Power train, Fuel system, gasoline.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
11 campaigns · Years: 2004–2014These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Brakes
3 campaigns · Years: 2008–2014These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Electrical
2 campaigns · Years: 2008–2015These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Fuel and emissions
2 campaigns · Years: 2002–2003, 2018–2019These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Engine and cooling
1 campaign · Years: 2015–2016These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
- 16V162000 · Engine and engine cooling: Turbo/supercharger
Equipment and labeling
1 campaign · Years: 2022These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.
- 23V016000 · Equipment: Owners/service/other manual
Other
1 campaign · Years: 2016These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
- 15V366000 · Forward collision avoidance: Crash imminent braking
Powertrain
1 campaign · Years: 2023These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
- 23V754000 · Power train: Driveshaft
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Subaru WRX in NHTSA complaint data are Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Power train, Fuel system, gasoline.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 10 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Forward collision avoidance: warnings, Engine, Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control. |
| 2023 | 1 | 4 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Suspension. |
| 2022 | 1 | 30 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Power train, Electrical system. |
| 2021 | 1 | 20 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper. |
| 2020 | 1 | 23 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Visibility/wiper. |
| 2019 | 2 | 33 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2018 | 2 | 58 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Steering. |
| 2017 | 1 | 69 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2016 | 3 | 40 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2015 | 3 | 73 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2014 | 10 | 9 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Engine, Electronic stability control (esc). |
| 2013 | 11 | 11 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Service brakes, Engine. |
| 2012 | 12 | 4 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Engine, Power train. |
| 2011 | 11 | 5 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Power train, Engine. |
| 2010 | 12 | 3 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Structure:body. |
| 2009 | 10 | 72 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Structure:body, Service brakes. |
| 2008 | 7 | 119 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Structure:body, Service brakes. |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 2006 | 3 | 14 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train. |
| 2005 | 4 | 24 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel/propulsion system, Suspension:rear. |
| 2004 | 4 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel/propulsion system, Air bags. |
| 2003 | 1 | 65 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. |
| 2002 | 1 | 461 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Air bags , Exterior lighting and Service brakes
Other Subaru Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Subaru models.
- Ascent 2019–2027
- B9 Tribeca 2006–2014
- Baja 2003–2006
- Brat 1981–1986
- BRZ 2013–2027
- Crosstrek 2016–2027
- DL 1981–1989
- Forester 1998–2027
- GL 1981–1989
- Impreza 1993–2027
- Justy 1987–1994
- Legacy 1990–2027
- Loyale 1990–1994
- Outback 2005–2027
- Solterra 2023–2027
- SVX 1992–1997
- XT 1985–1991
- XT6 1988–1991
- XV CrossTrek 2012–2015
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.