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Subaru WRX 2015–2021 (VA)

Subaru WRX
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Price
$26,800–$39,000
MPG
24
  • Strength: Excellent safety
  • Strength: Excellent driving fun
  • Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Poor running costs
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How it scores for you10 scores
A rally-bred, AWD driver's benchmark with 5-star safety, but firm ride, thirsty running costs, tiny trunk, and dated tech make it a focused enthusiast trade-off.
Reliability53

Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 5 recalls was serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -4 points for its wider reputation.

Safety100

5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 5).

Running costs16

About $3,400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 16% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility2

12 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 2% of other sedans we track.

Passenger space52

Compact sedan with usable rear seat and 12 cu ft trunk; roughly segment-typical for a compact performance sedan.

Driving fun85

268hp turbo boxer, standard AWD, sharp turbo-charged handling and rally heritage make the WRX a benchmark for affordable driving fun with a manual option.

Tech40

VA-gen WRX infotainment and driver-aids lagged behind rivals; EyeSight limited to CVT trims and dated Starlink system make tech below segment average.

Comfort42

Firm sport-tuned ride, noticeable road noise and turbo-focused setup trade comfort for performance; seats decent but ride is busy for daily use.

Value retention55

Typical resale value for a sedan.

Capability30

No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.

Safety & recalls13 recalls
Overall 5/5
Frontal 5/5
Side 5/5
Rollover 5/5

13 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2015–2021

  • Powertrain — 18 complaints (2015)
  • Recall — Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch (2021)
  • Electrical — 13 complaints (2019)

2021

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety concern involving my 2021 Subaru WRX, which is currently covered under the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty as well as an extended warranty. Subaru of Ontario, an authorized Subaru dealership, failed to properly diagnose or repair ongoing engi

2020

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Parasitic battery problem My car battery keeps dying on my Subaru sti 2020 after one day of not driving. I have had the car checked with Subaru dealership and a local shop but no issues were found. This morning I had to get my car jumped again after not driving it for one day. This battery was purch

2019

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump21V587000

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical13 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The cam carriers for my vehicle are leaking oil. This is an incredible common, seemingly almost guaranteed, issue with these vehicles from Subaru at the 75-90k mile mark. The carrier are dripping oil, so worse than seeping, but not pouring. This runs the risk of the engine bleeding oil fast and runn

  • Complaint clusterEngine6 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    At 77,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a major failure where the #2 connecting rod and piston were destroyed, requiring a short block replacement. This repair was performed by Autonation West Subaru in Golden, Colorado and was covered under the SAS gold plan, certified pre-owned 7yr/100,00mi. warranty

2018

  • RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump21V587000

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    2/17/2026 Mileage 96,000 Subaru case number Case # 260217-2101937 Vehicle intermittently indicates reverse gear while driving forward at speed. Backup camera activates and reverse lights illuminate while in forward motion. This condition matches NHTSA Recall 22V-522000. The recall repair was prev

  • Complaint clusterEngine8 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Oil changes always done, no modifications to vehicle. Driving down road lights all come one and car starts smoking. Rod broke and put hole in engine.

  • Complaint clusterSteering7 complaintscomplaints:STEERING

    Unknown. I am unsure of the issue. However, there is an issue. & it is very dangerous... This has happend about 5, or 6 times now. Sometimes when I am making a turn (I believe it is related to the braking), My steering wheel locks up (as if the key isn't in the ignition). It only lasts for a seco

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    When accelerating from a stop, the car is having trouble accelerating despite having the accelerator fully depressed. The engine sounds like it is roaring, but hardly any power is being produced. When the vehicle hits about 35-40mph, the engine surges and then full power is produced. It feels like p

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Refused to change the rear catalyst due to a modification. I said I would return it back to the original factory tune and they said it was impossible and refused to do it. The tune physically wouldn’t stop them from changing the catalytic converter. They said that the ecu would let them. I can put

2017

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain11 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was

  • Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Likely secondary air injection pump and/or its related relays, CEL P2444 came on 3 separate times. November 2024, brought it in to get replaced under warranty, came on again the day after picking her up in December 2024 due to faulty pump, didn’t get to bring her back in until March 1st 2025, fixed

  • Complaint clusterEngine8 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a

  • Complaint clusterSteering6 complaintscomplaints:STEERING

    The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me

2016

  • RecallExterior lighting: brake lights: switch; forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking15V366000

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufact

  • RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger16V162000

    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.

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical10 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The Seconary Air Injection pump stayed on for days. Burnt a hole in the side, relay possibly damaged, and now setting off other components and computers.

  • Complaint clusterEngine8 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Started having issue with the engine making loud rattle noises and oil pressure was not consistent. Upon further investigating I removed the oil pan and removed the oil pickup. The oil pickup screen was full of RTV sealant causing the oil pickup to struggle with maintaining proper oil pressure and f

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Driving and a loud explosion, sound, like a gunshot then a ton of pinging. The sunroof exploded and glass flew down my car and chipped a bunch of paint.

2015

  • RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger16V162000

    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.

  • RecallElectrical: wiring17V625000

    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.

  • RecallExterior lighting: back up lights: switch22V522000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain18 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The contact owns a 2015 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the drive belt, front drive axles, r

  • Complaint clusterEngine12 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    My engine starting making like a clunking sound I always have took my car for service at the dealership i own the 2015 subaru wrx premium i haven’t move the car after the noise due to scare I might mess something with the engine

  • Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    * Battery charging system damaging battery resulting failure of battery. Suspecting overcharging or constant draining of battery below cycling. * Improper charging of battery could result in catastrophic battery failure which may cause battery to catch on fire. * Failure of battery in inclima

Cost to own$26,000 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$26,800–$39,000

Estimated used price, by model year

2021$19,700–$23,200
2020$17,400–$20,400
2019$15,300–$17,900
2018$13,400–$15,700
2017$11,700–$13,700
2016$10,100–$11,900
2015$8,800–$10,300

$3,400/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $26,800–$39,000
Efficiency24 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainAWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

21

Highway MPG

28

Combined MPG

24

Horsepower

268 hp

Doors

4

Length

180.7 in

Width

70.1 in

Height

57.9 in

Wheelbase

104.3 in

Curb weight

3,402 lb

Cargo volume

12 cu ft

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