RoadVitals

2020 Subaru WRX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Oct 17, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 21, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Subaru WRX, most frequently naming the electrical, visibility and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 278 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical523.8%
  • Visibility314.3%
  • Engine314.3%
  • Powertrain (other)29.5%
  • Seat belts29.5%
  • Brakes29.5%
  • Fuel system14.8%
  • Driver assistance14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V522000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jul 21, 2022
59,934 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRE-22View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 17, 2025

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 instrument panel displayed that the transmission was still in reverse (R), and the rearview camera was displayed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID
11694019
Incident
Oct 1, 2025
Mileage
30,000 mi
Filed Aug 29, 2025

The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching

NHTSA ID
11684021
Incident
Jul 10, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2025

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) transmission was leaking between engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noted before the oil was even drained. I looked up recalls from NHTSA and found none. Then looked at Subaru Service Bulletins and found Service Bulletin 16-103-16 that only covers 2015 MY through 2019 MY WRX with (CVT) transmission leaking at front pump/chain cover between the engine and (CVT) transmission. The coverage of the Service Bulletin extended the (CVT) transmission warranty to 10 years 100,000 miles, and my vehicle is within the current requirements to receive repairs with only 79000 miles, but is not listed because it is a 2020 WRX, the modle of WRX with the TR690 (CVT) transmission ran from 2015 MY through 2021 MY. My vehicle is also registered through My Subaru app and the Service Bulletins/Service Campaign page says no SBs or SCs are available, help is appreciated, thank you.

NHTSA ID
11676691
Incident
Aug 23, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2025

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 sure what to do. I don’t want to keep changing batteries every 3 months. Already contacted Subaru America and they have asked me to go back to the dealership and have them provide a diagnostic assessment.

NHTSA ID
11634545
Incident
Feb 6, 2024
Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11615911
Incident
Aug 3, 2024
Seat belts
Filed Aug 9, 2024

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.”

NHTSA ID
11607625
Incident
Jul 30, 2024
Electrical
Filed Mar 24, 2023

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 repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11513689
Incident
Feb 24, 2023
Mileage
20,000 mi
Filed Sep 22, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11485826
Incident
May 23, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02-193-24R

ENGINE

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

09-74-21R

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

02-193-24R

ENGINE

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers).

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru WRX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025200—
2024130037.5
2023710—
2022251048.6
2021131035.5
2020Viewing171042.4
2019302047.7
2018422057.6
2017531052.1
2016313046.1
2015523044.0
20146100—
20137110—
20122120—
20114110—
20101120—
20094110044.8
2008657044.9
2007030—
2006144045.9
2005195041.8
2004425154.4
2003602563.0
20024272558.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.