2015 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (16) · Engine (10) · Exterior Lighting (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Wrx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
40 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch 2022-07-21 · campaign 22V522000 · 59,934 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Electrical System:wiring 2017-10-06 · campaign 17V625000 · 9,178 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 WRX and WRX/STI vehicles, equipped with an optional factory-installed subwoofer in the trunk. Items in the trunk may cause the subwoofer wiring to contact the subwoofer metal frame, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier, and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the subwoofer wire, install a wire retainer clip, and, as necessary, replace the subwoofer, free of charge. The recall began October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTQ-76.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2016-03-21 · campaign 16V162000 · 18,187 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Service bulletins (417)
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.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 417 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-03-05 · Engine“my engine starting making like a clunking sound i always have took my car for service at the dealership i own the 2015 subaru wrx premium i haven’t move the car after the noise due to scare i might mess something with the engine …”
2023-12-20 · Power Train · 87,000 mi“the contact owns a 2015 subaru wrx. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the drive belt, front drive axles, rear axle differential seals, and windshield washer…”
2023-03-21 · Engine“the secondary o2 pump will burn out or continue running causing unsafe risk to short circuit a fire. recall has already been previously documented in the -2014 models however subaru uses the same design and part number. my car secondary o2 pump was replaced under warrenty at 55k miles now at 90knmiles have the same cel code. …”
2023-03-21 · Engine“engine has rod knock present common amongst owners. short block replaced under warranty at 55k miles. how can a stock engine with synthetic oil changes commonly fail? flaws.…”
2022-11-17 · Power Train“i first noticed the car engine began making a loud ticking sound and significantly lost power as i exited the freeway heading toward my home after work. after towing the vehicle to the subaru dealership, they tore apart the engine and found a connecting rod bearing had failed. it had slid out between the rod and crankshaft and shattered in the oil …”
2022-06-22 · Engine“-engine head gasket (blown), yes. -engine coolant created cloud of white vapor while driving, impairing ability to visually assess the road. leaked hazardous fluid over freeway possibly contaminating soils and affecting local wildlife. -the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by eastside subaru in kirkland, wa. -the vehicle has been inspecte…”
2022-01-11 · Electrical System · 92,000 mi“* battery charging system damaging battery resulting failure of battery. suspecting overcharging or constant draining of battery below cycling. * improper charging of battery could result in catastrophic battery failure which may cause battery to catch on fire. * failure of battery in inclimate/severe weather may impede egress from elements…”
2021-12-01 · Engine“turbocharger intake cracked and causes the engine to have an extremely rough idle and stall. my vehicle has the same issue as nhtsa campaign number 16v16200 however it was manufactured before april 10th 2015 so it is not included in that recall.…”
2021-10-12 · Electrical System“car battery is constantly drained even when car is used every other day…”
2021-08-29 · Power Train“defective oem throw-out bearing and fork in the six speed manual transmission completely burning the clutch. i was going up a hill and the car just started rolling back. no gear would work on the car. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.