2020 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (4) · Visibility/Wiper (3) · Power Train (3)
🧭 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 (1)
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.
Service bulletins (288)
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 288 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-23 · Power Train“-flickering head lights -driver window loose -windshield wipers did not work on the passenger side (i don't know how it passed inspection) -when shifted into 4th gear the stick was making odd movements and jumping -mechanical noises like cranking coming from the engine or under the car …”
2025-10-17 · Power Train · 30,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 subaru wrx. the contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into neutral (n), the instrument panel displayed that the transmission was shifted in reverse (r), and the rearview camera image was displayed. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact shifted the transmission to drive (d), but the inst…”
2025-08-29 · Unknown Or Other“the head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching…”
2025-07-28 · Power Train“2020 wrx: tr690 (cvt) transmission that the car came equipped with, began leaking between the engine and (cvt) transmission, it was noticed during an oil change at 71686 miles but not identified as (cvt) transmission fluid immediately, it was cleaned and assumed to be oil spill. another oil change was done at 77576 miles, and the (cvt) transmissio…”
2025-01-07 · Electrical System“parasitic battery problem my car battery keeps dying on my subaru sti 2020 after one day of not driving. i have had the car checked with subaru dealership and a local shop but no issues were found. this morning i had to get my car jumped again after not driving it for one day. this battery was purchased brand new on nov 2024.at this point i am not …”
2024-09-23 · Engine“i purchased the vehicle used with 33800 miles and at 34100 the engine stalled and was hard to start, once started it was knocking severely. i have seen a class action law suit based on the same issues but the 2020 model year is not included …”
2024-08-09 · Seat Belts“rear passenger seatbelts fraying. my two children are sitting in the back seat, there is no warning that my seatbelts were frayed putting their life at risk! took the car to the dealership to have them check what is going on with the seatbelt mechanism, they said “there is no mechanical issue, therefore it is not under warranty.” …”
2023-03-24 · Electrical System · 20,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 subaru wrx. the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. the vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that telematics control module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was…”
2022-09-22 · Unknown Or Other“battery drainage occurring often. i have been left stranded at night time in unsafe areas. the car was taken to the dealer twice and both times the battery has been “recharge”. i”ve had the car for less than 3 years. no symptoms occur before this happens. this seems to happen when the car has not need moved for more than a day. …”
2022-05-22 · Electrical System“have had this car since late 2019 around november and it is now 2022 and i'm at 25k miles in my battery is already failing i have had it tested and the cold cranking amps are why below where they should be causing the car not be able to start at time . i've had other car batteries that lasted long than 2 and a half years. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.