THE RPM DROP AND THE ENGINE STALLS, BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN FIRST GEAR, FROM WHAT I'VE NOTICED.
2015 Subaru Wrx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Wrx years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40 reports with mileage · 12 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
52 reportsDECIDED TO GET MY SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, AND GOT A COMPRESSION TEST DONE WHILE THAT SERVICE WAS DONE FOR CONVENIENCE. COMPRESSION CAME OUT LOW ON ONE SIDE OF MY FA20DIT ENGINE. WITH MORE RESEARCH, BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS DIRECT INJECTED, THERE IS OBVIOUS BUILD UP ON THE INTAKE VALVES, CAUSING BAD AIR FLOW. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TE…
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DECIDED TO GET MY SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, AND GOT A COMPRESSION TEST DONE WHILE THAT SERVICE WAS DONE FOR CONVENIENCE. COMPRESSION CAME OUT LOW ON ONE SIDE OF MY FA20DIT ENGINE. WITH MORE RESEARCH, BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS DIRECT INJECTED, THERE IS OBVIOUS BUILD UP ON THE INTAKE VALVES, CAUSING BAD AIR FLOW. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE.
VEHICLE HAD A BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND SPUN A BEARING.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK NOT FOLLOWING ANYONE CLOSELY. I DID NOT GO UNDER ANY OVERPASSES OR TREES AND I HAD MY SUNROOF CLOSED WITH THE SHADE VISOR OPEN AT THE TIME. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE (LOUD BOOM) AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FELL ON ME INTO THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS N…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK NOT FOLLOWING ANYONE CLOSELY. I DID NOT GO UNDER ANY OVERPASSES OR TREES AND I HAD MY SUNROOF CLOSED WITH THE SHADE VISOR OPEN AT THE TIME. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE (LOUD BOOM) AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FELL ON ME INTO THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE NEAR ME ON EITHER SIDE AND I KEPT MY COMPOSURE UNTIL I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO LOOK AND CLEAR THE GLASS FROM MY SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SUNROOF GLASS, IT LOOKED LIKE SOME OF THE BROKEN PIECES ARE FORCED IN AN UPWARDS MANNER AS IF DUE TO PRESSURE OR TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION. I CHECKED OVER THE REST OF MY VEHICLE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CHIPS AND DEEP SCRATCHES FROM THE GLASS THAT DAMAGED MY ROOF, SHARKFIN ANTENNA, AND MY TRUNK AREA WHICH I WILL NEED TO HAVE REPAIRED TO AVOID RUST. I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED BY THIS INCIDENT AND GOT A FEW SMALL CUTS ON MY HANDS FROM CLEANING THE GLASS OFF SO I COULD DRIVE BACK HOME. I HAVE DASHCAM FOOTAGE (THAT CAN BE PROVIDED AS WELL) OF ME DRIVING DURING THIS OCCURRENCE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE HIT THE SUNROOF TO DAMAGE IT IN SUCH A WAY. THERE WERE ALSO NO OBJECTS THAT WENT INTO MY CAR'S CABIN FOLLOWING THE BREAKAGE. I WAS READING OVER OTHER SIMILAR REPORTED ISSUES AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS SPREAD ACROSS VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
I'M TRYING TO FIND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING CAR ENTERTAINMENT INTERFACES. THE NOTE 9 WITH ANDROID AUTO HAS TWO DEFECTS ONE WHERE THE NAVIGATION BAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH INPUT. AND THE SECOND IS THAT TOUCH CONTROLS FOR THE GPS NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE PHONE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR TWO MONTHS AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPL…
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I'M TRYING TO FIND THE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING CAR ENTERTAINMENT INTERFACES. THE NOTE 9 WITH ANDROID AUTO HAS TWO DEFECTS ONE WHERE THE NAVIGATION BAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH INPUT. AND THE SECOND IS THAT TOUCH CONTROLS FOR THE GPS NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE PHONE HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR TWO MONTHS AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE ON THE SUPPORT FORUMS, NEITHER GOOGLE NOR SAMSUNG HAS FIXED THE ISSUE OR GIVEN A TIMELINE ON WHEN WE CAN EXPECT THE ISSUE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER WHEN USING THE INTERFACE, EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT ANDROID AUTO IS SUPPOSED TO ACCOMPLISH.
MPG REPORTED ON THE DASH IS EXAGGERATED. VEHICLE SHOWS 27.3MPG FOR THE FOLLOWING TRIP, THAT IS BETWEEN THE LAST AND CURRENT FUEL FILL UP. REAL WORLD CALCULATED MPG IS 19.55, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANTLY OFF, OF WHAT IS BEING REPORTED BY THE VEHICLE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING UP A HILL AND MY SUBARU WRX WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER AT ALL SO I GOT OFF ON THE NEAREST EXIT. I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN 1ST GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING UP A HILL AND MY SUBARU WRX WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND IT FELT LIKE MY VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER AT ALL SO I GOT OFF ON THE NEAREST EXIT. I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, PUT THE VEHICLE IN 1ST GEAR AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE ROAD WITH A STRANGERS HELP. THE CAR SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND IT PUT ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALREADY REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL BEFORE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AT 27,000 MILES. WHEN MY CLUTCH WENT OUT, MY VEHICLE HAD 35,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW SUBARU DOESNT WANT TO PAY FOR THIS CLUTCH. SO NOW I AM ON MY 3RD CLUTCH AT 35,000 MILES. ITS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS. IN FACT, SUBARU EVEN KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE ISSUED TWO SERVICE BULLETINS (DESIGN CHANGES) FOR THE CLUTCH'S IN THEIR 2014-2017 SUBARU WRXS. MY GUESS IS, THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY ARE TRYING TO COVER IT UP. I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IF I KNEW ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A SUBARU AGAIN
DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD. STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE CROSSED OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO SIGN AND DRAINAGE CULVERT. WAS TOTALLED FROM THE DAMAGE.
THE CLUTCH KEEPS GOING BAD IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES UNDER NORMAL USE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ONLY AFTER 2000 MILES. SUBARU TELLS ME I ABUSE THE CLUTCH AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE. I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS, NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE WITH ANY CAR. THIS SUBARU HAS A BAD CLUTCH WHICH THEY WON'T ACCEPT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AT (866) 520-7894 (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL DEALER (CORPUS CHR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AT (866) 520-7894 (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL DEALER (CORPUS CHRISTI SUBARU, 3615 S PADRE ISLAND DR., CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 826-0630) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO COVER THE SUN ROOF WITH PLASTIC UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Official recalls
322V522000 · Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch
Jul 21, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
17V625000 · Electrical System:wiring
Oct 6, 2017
Subaru 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 short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier, and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the subwoofer wire, install a wire retainer clip, and, as necessary, replace the subwoofer, free of charge. The recall began October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTQ-76.
16V162000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Mar 21, 2016
Subaru 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 in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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