2022 Subaru WRX Problems and Complaints

The 2022 Subaru WRX marks the introduction of a redesigned 5th generation. With a sportier design, Subaru has also focused on resolving its underlying problems. Similar to the Subaru Impreza, the WRX comes across the issues of parasitic battery drain and windshield shattering. The redesigned 22 WRX was highly anticipated and it receives the expected market response. But, Subaru fails to pinpoint the cause and plug the above-mentioned issues. 

 For a price tag of $30,100, the new 2022 Subaru WRX competes with the Kia Stinger, the Volkswagen Jetta, and the Nissan Altima in the compact sedan class. As per CarHp rankings, the 2022 Subaru WRX claims the 5th spot on the top 10 sedans of 2022.

2022 Subaru WRX User Complaints and Problems

The redesigned WRX maintains a clean record with no recalls or complaints. The lineup has come across plenty of user complaints and recalls over the years. The most common complaints with the 22 Subaru WRX are the windshield shattering and parasitic battery drains. Subaru did manage to resolve the issue of parasitic battery drain but the windshield cracking still exists with the 2021 iteration of the WRX.

1. Mechanical Complaints

• Engine Stalling - Engine stalling is another common occurrence with the WRX lineup. The car shows tendencies of engine stalling under deceleration. An unexpected loss of drive power can result in the crashing of the vehicle. But, Subaru has not been successful with determining the cause and having it fixed yet.
• Throwout bearing wear - Throwout bearing wear leads to gearbox malfunctions. This can cause hesitant gear shifts and engine stalling. A loss of power and speed under driving conditions can risk crashing the vehicle. Subaru offers no financial assistance for the throwout bearing replacements.
• Clutch failure - The clutch assembly of the Subaru Impreza is prone to burning out. This results in clutch failure. Clutch failure restricts the gear shifting and renders the car undrivable. This has been a known issue for the WRX and requires replacing the gearbox and the clutch.

Electrical Complaints

• Infotainment malfunctions - This is a common problem with the Subaru WRX. The radio switches on at a high volume and the infotainment controls do not respond to any user inputs. Infotainment system malfunction can distract the driver while driving. This might also be a probable cause for the parasitic battery drain.
• Parasitic Battery Drain - This is a frequent user complaint with the WRX. Customer complaints report standstill vehicles losing battery at a quick rate. The issue has often left customers stranded. A few cases required customers with a brand new vehicle to replace the battery.

Structural complaints

• Windshield cracking - Windshield cracking has been a long-known issue with Subaru WRX customers. Across all five generations, the windshield cracking issue remains the most common complaint. Subaru claims temperature and pressure differences to be the primary cause of the issue. So far, Subaru has not been able to find the right fix for the issue. 

Category	Number of complaints
Electrical Systems	39
Powertrain	21
Wheels	9
Brakes	10

2022 Subaru WRX Recalls

As per NHTSA records, the Subaru WRX has seen only 6 recalls in all covering the recent three generations. Subaru has a reputation for addressing vehicle recalls quickly. Subaru aftersales emphasize user convenience when it comes to recalls.

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks
1	July 29, 2021	21V587000	The fuel pump may fail.	Fuel pump failure can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
2	February 28, 2019	19V149000	Brake lights may not illuminate	Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
3	November 1, 2018	18V772000	An engine valve spring failure may cause an engine to stall.	An engine stall increases the chances of a crash.
4	October 6, 2017	17V625000	The subwoofer wire may overheat and cause a fire.	An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier wire and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
5	October 13, 2016	16V738000	The power relay may fail to allow the air pump to overheat.	If the air cooling pump overheats, it may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
6	March 21, 2016	16V162000	Turbocharger intake duct crack may induce a stall.	An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
7	July 12, 2015	15V366000	The collision mitigating braking may not function.	If the automatic pre-collision braking system fails, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

When it comes to recalls, the 2022 Subaru WRX fairs well with 0 recalls. The same remains the case with the competition in the 2022 Nissan Altima, the 2022 Kia Stinger, and the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta. For the 2021 iterations, both the Kia Stinger and the VW Jetta show a record of 3 recalls each whereas the Nissan Altima records 1 recall. The 2021 Subaru WRX comes on top with 0 recalls. 

Component Affected	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
Safety	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
Exterior	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electric	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Interior	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Drive System	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System	0	0	0	1	1	0	0
Engine	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

Which Subaru WRX model year should you avoid?

Recent Subaru WRX iterations do not showcase major figures for complaints and recall. But it is wise to avoid any iterations beyond the 2014 model year. The 2014 Subaru WRX and the iterations preceding 2014 are liable to vulnerabilities to problems and high upkeep. 

Should you buy a used Subaru WRX?

The Subaru WRX is a sporty compact sedan that fits well for both commuting and touring. A used WRX is a good choice for an economic and practical daily drive for a budget. Any used Subaru WRX demands maintenance and upkeep for the best returns. For those who wish for more than an average daily commuter, the more potent sister car in the Subaru WRX STI makes for a more preferable choice.