2015 Subaru WRX: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 3 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

52
Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
42.3
Severity index

Severity index 42.3 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

Among the 143 2015 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2015 Subaru WRX ranks 107 of 143 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 25% of its model-year peers. See the full 2015 ranking.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1834.6%
POWER TRAIN1834.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM611.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER59.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM59.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING59.6%
STRUCTURE47.7%
AIR BAGS35.8%

The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 18 of 52 complaints (34.6%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2014: 42015: 92016: 62017: 22018: 72019: 52020: 32021: 92022: 32023: 32024: 11415161718192021222324
YearComplaints
20144
20159
20166
20172
20187
20195
20203
20219
20223
20233
20241
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V62500006/10/2017ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGSubaru 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 sh
16V16200021/03/2016ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGERSubaru 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
22V52200021/07/2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCHSubaru 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.
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.