2006 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Power Train:clutch Assembly (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Wrx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V001000 · 258,813 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passeng
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V002000 · 127,547 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2020-01-02 · campaign 20V003000 · 111,562 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." Thes
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Service bulletins (123)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 123 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-04-02 · Engine · 124,642 mi“the secondary air injection pump failed to turn off and nearly caught fire. subaru has recalled this part and the related relay switch for 2008-14 imprezas, but this problem also exists with 2006 imprezas. my mechanic says this is very common failure point for my model.…”
2015-08-12 · Engine · 104,500 mi“vehicle was being driven on a public road at 30 mph. engine oil pressure light came on so vehicle was parked in a business parking lot to check oil level. oil level was full. owner checked on internet for possible causes of this symptom and discovered numerous references to a broken oil pick up tube. vehicle was towed to an independent shop for eva…”
2015-06-15 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100,000 mi“raw fuel smell outside and inside the vehicle during and after cold starts…”
2015-02-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 138,500 mi“upon start up of my 2006 subaru wrx, there is visual evidence of fuel leakage under the intake manifold on the passenger side of engine. this only happens during times of cold weather. you cannot see the leak as it is underneath components however, you can smell raw fuel and see where it puddles up after a few moments of engine operation. this pudd…”
2014-01-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 60,000 mi“started my 2006 subaru wrx this morning in 5 degree temp, and there is an extremely strong smell of gasoline in the cabin. i have a short drive to work, but the smell stayed strong for a good 10mins. *tr…”
2012-06-07 · Power Train · 111,000 mi“at 3500 rpm shift from 2nd to 3rd gear at low level acceleration the 3rd gear teeth shattered and caused damage to the gearset. 3rd gear needed total replacement and metal debris floating in the casing until car could be stopped. 2000 miles later after subaru dealership repair and all new parts from the factory the same scenario occurs again 3rd ge…”
2012-02-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 66,870 mi“code p1410 secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open. this is a common error many 2006 and up subaru impreza wrx owners are having. the emissions system is prone to fail due to carbon buildup or moisture and rust contaminating valves, leading to repairs costing $700 to $1500. this failure is common even with low mileage. not…”
2011-03-12 · Structure:frame And Members · 59,600 mi“stud bolt connecting strut arm from rear hatch to car frame failed. this caused the strut arm to become disconnected with the rear hatch and the rear hatch door no long is able to remain ajar without manual support. door will close on user without notice. *tr…”
2009-11-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 46,293 mi“1. oil light flickers on and then stays on at idle or under low rev's 2. the failure is the oil pick up line resulting in a cracked line and damaged engine. 3. usually damage is sufficient to warrant a replaced long block and turbo from manufacturer. however no sufficient replacement is made about part prone to failure even with a new engine. *tr…”
2008-06-26 · Power Train · 35,000 mi“broken oil pickup tube, driving home from work the pickup tube broke causing the oil in the oilpan to not circulate through the system. this destroyed all internal bearings and likely fatigued many other engine internals. the dealership replaced all bearings under warranty but did not replace any other engine block components. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.