VehicleVerdict

2015 Subaru WRX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 73 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median WRX year — the 2015 model ranks #3 of 24 WRX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (26% of the total).

73

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other WRX years?

WRX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted461 complaints2002: 461 complaints2003: 65 complaints2004: 46 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 119 complaints2009: 72 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 4 complaints2013: 11 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 73 complaints2016: 40 complaints2017: 73 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 44 complaints2020: 23 complaints2021: 21 complaints2022: 33 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 4 complaints
WRX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all WRX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Subaru WRX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1926%
Engine1825%
Electrical System68%
Fuel System57%
Lighting57%
Other57%
Body & Structure45%
Airbags34%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Steering23%
Speed Control11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2015 Subaru WRX have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V522000LightingJuly 21, 2022 · 59,934 units

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.

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.

17V625000Electrical SystemOctober 6, 2017 · 9,178 units

Defect

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

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.

16V162000EngineMarch 21, 2016 · 18,187 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I AM A 44 YEAR OLD WOMAN, DRIVING A 2015 WRX. I HAVE ONLY OWNED AND DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MY ENTIRE LIFE. MY LAST CAR, A MAZDA 3, I DROVE TO 110,000 MILES AND THE CLUTCH NEVER WENT OUT. MY 2015 WRX IS AT 22,000 AND THE CLUTCH IS BEING REPLACED. A BEARING WENT BAD AND DID DAMAGE TO THE CLUTCH.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 3, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 8, 2019

“DRIVING CAR WITH PASSENGER IN COLD WEATHER (~0 DEGREES F) ON CITY STREETS. AFTER 10MIN OF DRIVING, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCHED OFF, NOTIFYING ME THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER WAS SEATED. ADDITIONALLY, NEAR THE SPEEDOMETER, THE SRS AIRBAG ERROR NOTIFICATION TURNED ON,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 26, 2015

“VEHICLE IS BURNING OIL, OIL CAME OUT THROUGH WHERE THE DIP-STICK IS PLACED. FOUND OIL ON THE EXHAUST TIPS. MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. REQUIRES NEW COILS AND SPARK PLUGS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THEM. REQUIRED A NEW BATTERY, HOWEVER, REPLACING THE BATTERY DID NOT KEEP THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 20, 2020

“WHILE WAITING IN A PARKING WITH CAR AND AC TURNED ON, THE CABIN BEGAN TO SMELL VERY HARD LIKE GAS THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKED AND WAITING. DID IT AGAIN WHILE WAITING IN ANOTHER PARKING WITH CAR AND AC TURNED ON AFTER 10 MINUTES. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, PARKED WITH AC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 1, 2018

2015 Subaru WRX — common questions

Is the 2015 Subaru WRX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 73 complaints put the 2015 model at #3 of 24 WRX years. It is one of the WRX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 WRX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (19 complaints), engine (18 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 2015 Subaru WRX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Subaru WRX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru WRX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the WRX years to avoid are 2002, 2008, 2017, 2015, 2009, 2003, 2018, 2004, 2019, 2016. The cleanest record among WRX years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.