2020 Subaru WRX problems and recalls

Owners have filed 17 complaints on the 2020 Subaru WRX, and NHTSA has issued 1 recall. The most cited component is the Electrical System (5 complaints).

17
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
62.4
Severity index

Severity index 62.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 62.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 5 complaints (29.4%)5 29%EngineEngine: 3 complaints (17.6%)3 18%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 3 complaints (17.6%)3 18%Power TrainPower Train: 2 complaints (11.8%)2 12%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 2 complaints (11.8%)2 12%Seat BeltsSeat Belts: 2 complaints (11.8%)2 12%Service BrakesService Brakes: 2 complaints (11.8%)2 12%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 1 complaints (5.9%)1 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM529.4%
ENGINE317.6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER317.6%
POWER TRAIN211.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER211.8%
SEAT BELTS211.8%
SERVICE BRAKES211.8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION15.9%

Complaints filed per year

0242019: 12020: 22021: 32022: 42023: 12024: 22025: 4192021224232425
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20191
20202
20213
20224
20231
20242
20254
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (7 against 9).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
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.

Other Subaru WRX model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.