2023 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (2) · Service Brakes (2) · Engine (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 (1)
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2023-11-09 · campaign 23V754000 · 4,701 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
Service bulletins (212)
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.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 212 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-21 · Unknown Or Other“safety complaint details: the vehicle is a 2023 subaru wrx experiencing recurring, severe powertrain and engine management failures that present an immediate life-safety hazard on active roadways. the vehicle has a documented history of chronic transmission system component failures, requiring a complete clutch assembly replacement early in its ser…”
2026-08-25 · Seats“the failing component system is the drivers side impact airbags. subaru of america did their own inspection and has listed their findings in an email (it can be forwarded to you if needed). the vehicle is currently at a collision center appointed by our insurance company but has not yet been inspected there. our vehicle sat at new motors dealersh…”
2026-04-18 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“factory brake system is weak to slow down. the tree on the road stopped my car faster than the brakes did. many videos and internet posts document this. quick google search will provide a lot of information. many owners with money upgrade calipers from tr model amazon reviews purchasing brake pads provides stopping power. subaru knows this and did …”
2026-01-15 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i was heading to work on a stretch of road. i was traveling at about 45-50mph. a car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. the airbags in the older subaru of the person who collided with me went off and mine did not. surprisingly. my head was slammed against the b pillar and a small bruise on my leg. insurance is saying my car is total…”
2025-12-11 · Service Brakes“my vehicle has a hand brake built into the vehicle and at 25,000 miles my hand brake started to fail and wouldn’t hold the car in place. i had it repaired under warranty and the whole emergency/handbrake assembly was replaced, i looked at it and tested it before i left the dealership and noticed the same issue, i brought it up to the dealership and…”
2025-05-07 · Suspension“i am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving the front suspension of my 2023 subaru wrx. after installing aftermarket lowering springs, i began noticing loud popping, clicking, and cracking noises from the front struts during low-speed turns and uneven road surfaces. to isolate the issue, the springs were completely removed from the …”
2024-11-21 · Suspension“popping sound on the right side when i turn the wheel fully to either side and move slowly in either direction. …”
2024-07-18 · Engine“i would just like to complain about the excess rtv on the engine oil pan that has been demonstrated on numerous videos of people opening up the oil drain pan and finding chunks of rtv blocking some of the engine oil pickup tube. i have not opened up my oil drain pan due to cost. this has not lead to failure as of yet but it is worrisome. thank you…”
2023-08-16 · Engine“oil pickup tube was clogged with rtv that was over used to seal the oil pan, which causes less oil flow into the engine and can cause failure.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.