Subaru WRX Complaints (2023)

9 consumer complaints on file.

#11772808October 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Safety Complaint Details: The vehicle is a 2023 Subaru WRX experiencing recurring, severe powertrain and engine management failures that present an immediate life-safety hazard on active roadways. The vehicle has a documented history of chronic transmission system component failures, requiring a complete clutch assembly replacement early in its service history at 6,600 miles. Following a subsequent major transmission disassembly by an authorized retailer, the service department failed to perform a mandatory post-repair quality control test drive, releasing an improperly reassembled and dangerous vehicle into commerce. Within 48 hours of retrieval, the vehicle suffered severe high-speed throttle response loss, engine hesitation, and stalling behavior on active highway corridors. On XXX, while navigating mountain grades under absolute medical duress for a critical specialist appointment, a major engine turbocharger/vacuum hose clamp completely disconnected under load due to the dealership's reassembly negligence. This resulted in an emergency roadside breakdown in [XXX], accompanied by visible smoke, a severe burning rubber odor inside the cabin, and intense thermal heat transfer through the firewall directly into the driver’s footwell pedals. The vehicle continues to suffer from a dangerous unmetered air leak, gasping for air, engine power loss while climbing inclines, and physical gear shifter mechanism binding. The manufacturer (Subaru of America Case #XXX) has been formally notified of these structural and mechanical hazards but has failed to safely retrieve the vehicle, which currently remains grounded at my residence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759540August 25, 2026
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
The failing component system is the drivers side impact airbags. Subaru of America did their own inspection and has listed their findings in an email (it can be forwarded to you if needed). The vehicle is currently at a collision center appointed by our insurance company but has not yet been inspected there. Our vehicle sat at NEW MOTORS dealership so that Subaru of America could do their investigation. They had our vehicle for 50 days to do this inspection (no repairs). Yes our safety could potentially be at risk as the airbag system deployed while the car was not moving/running in our driveway. We were standing outside of the vehicle both front doors were open when the back driver side door was closed causing the airbags to deploy. Subaru found that the seatbelt had been shut in the door causing airbag deployment. We argue this finding due to the fact that the seatbelt was buckled at the time so that the seatbelt bell alarm was not going to go off as we drove with our bloodhound in the back seat. A 80+ lb bloodhound would cause the fasten seatbelt alarm to go off while driving. There was no warning or failures prior to the deployment. The problem has not been reproduced as far as we know. Everyone that we have talked to does not understand what would have caused this. (other than subaru that made their findings). There are pictures in the email that show the minimal damage to the seatbelt latch and a small scuff in the paint in the door jam of our 3 year old car. There is not a dent in the jam or breakage in the plastic of the seatbelt. They claim that the door shut and latched with the seatbelt in it. We feel this should have caused additional damage if this is the case. But as stated above the seatbelt was buckled at the time. When the seatbelt was unbuckled it was retracted with no slack. As it sits now there is slack and belt is locked due to me unbuckling it to remove blankets covering the seat to keep it free of dog hair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732084April 18, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Factory brake system is weak to slow down. The tree on the road stopped my car faster than the brakes did. Many videos and internet posts document this. Quick google search will provide a lot of information. Many owners with money upgrade calipers from tr model Amazon reviews purchasing brake pads provides stopping power. Subaru knows this and did it with 2007 wrx
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711115January 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older Subaru of the person who collided with me went off and mine did not. Surprisingly. My head was slammed against the B pillar and a small bruise on my leg. Insurance is saying my car is totaled. With an accident of that magnitude, my air bags should have deployed. If I was going any faster, I most likely wouldn't be here typing this message. This is a serious concern of mine. I have 0 interest getting back into another Subaru which Consumer Reports quotes as being the safest, most reliable brand.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704382December 11, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
My vehicle has a hand brake built into the vehicle and at 25,000 miles my hand brake started to fail and wouldn’t hold the car in place. I had it repaired under warranty and the whole emergency/handbrake assembly was replaced, I looked at it and tested it before I left the dealership and noticed the same issue, I brought it up to the dealership and they noticed the same issue also after testing it again themselves, and they also stated there were other vehicles of the same model with less miles having the same issue and also said it could possibly be a recall. I drive a car with a manual transmission so the hand/emergency brake is what parks and holds the vehicle in place. I originally took it there because my handbrake was no longer holding my car in place to avoid hitting other vehicles especially being parked on an incline or decline.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659521May 7, 2025
SUSPENSION
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving the front suspension of my 2023 Subaru WRX. After installing aftermarket lowering springs, I began noticing loud popping, clicking, and cracking noises from the front struts during low-speed turns and uneven road surfaces. To isolate the issue, the springs were completely removed from the strut assemblies. The noise persisted when manually rotating the top hat and shaft, confirming an internal defect in the OEM strut mount bearing (Subaru part #20320FL010). This eliminates the springs as the source of the issue. The component remains installed and is available for inspection. This defect poses a safety concern, as the strut bearing appears to bind during steering input. This can compromise vehicle stability and steering responsiveness—especially during evasive maneuvers or rough road conditions. The dealership acknowledged the noise but blamed the aftermarket springs. Subaru of America (SOA) opened a formal case but backed the dealership’s position without independent verification. The failure has been reproduced and confirmed by an independent mechanic, even with the aftermarket springs removed. Despite the clear evidence of a factory component failure, SOA refused to cover the repair under warranty, stating that the presence of aftermarket parts voids the claim. This is contrary to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which requires proof that a modification caused a failure. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the issue. The symptoms—repetitive loud noises from the front suspension. I believe this may point to a broader defect with this OEM strut bearing and respectfully request investigation by NHTSA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626554November 21, 2024
SUSPENSION
Popping sound on the right side when i turn the wheel fully to either side and move slowly in either direction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603282July 18, 2024
ENGINE
I would just like to complain about the excess Rtv on the engine oil pan that has been demonstrated on numerous videos of people opening up the oil drain pan and finding chunks of Rtv blocking some of the engine oil pickup tube. I have not opened up my oil drain pan due to cost. This has not lead to failure as of yet but it is worrisome. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538807August 16, 2023
ENGINE
oil pickup tube was clogged with rtv that was over used to seal the oil pan, which causes less oil flow into the engine and can cause failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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