2020 SUBARU WRX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
23
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
7
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 SUBARU WRX
The 2020 SUBARU WRX has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (5 complaints), Engine (3 complaints), and Visibilitywiper (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2020 SUBARU WRX
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2020 SUBARU WRX, potentially affecting up to 59,934 vehicles.
Recall 22V522000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 59,934 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 SUBARU WRX
23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 SUBARU WRX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching
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.
Safety Rating for the 2020 SUBARU WRX
The 2020 SUBARU WRX received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 SUBARU WRX
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 SUBARU WRX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
18-226-25R — ENGINE
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
SubaruNet Announcement — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
15-256-19R — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
This bulletin provides information on a new reprogramming procedure (FOTA) to optimize the Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units (H/U) utilized in the models as listed.
15-298-22 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Bulletin announces the preferred practices to be used when handling vehicles equipped with Gen2 Telematics which are enrolled in the Subaru STARLINK® Security Plus Service featuring Stolen Vehicle Recovery Plus with Immobilizer.
07-193-21 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin announces design changes made to the OBDII diagnostic connector and BIU mounting brackets to meet new OBD regulations for rigidity.
03-78-17R — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
03-86-20 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:MASTER CYLINDER
This bulletin provides additional repair procedures to follow when replacing a leaking clutch master cylinder on certain vehicles.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 SUBARU WRX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU WRX
- 2015 SUBARU WRX — 73 complaints
- 2016 SUBARU WRX — 40 complaints
- 2017 SUBARU WRX — 69 complaints
- 2018 SUBARU WRX — 61 complaints
- 2019 SUBARU WRX — 37 complaints
- 2020 SUBARU WRX (current)
- 2021 SUBARU WRX — 20 complaints
- 2022 SUBARU WRX — 30 complaints
- 2023 SUBARU WRX — 6 complaints
- 2024 SUBARU WRX — 14 complaints
- 2025 SUBARU WRX — 1 complaint
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints