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2015 Subaru WRX Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

52

Total

2

Crashes

1

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
30
ELECTRICAL
4
LIGHTING
4
AIR BAGS
3
OTHER
3

Owner Complaint Reports

Showing 25 of 52 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.

ODI #11575663

ENGINE — Filed 03/05/2024

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

ODI #11561137

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 12/20/2023

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, rear axle differential seals, and windshield washer reservoir. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

ODI #11512929

ENGINE — Filed 03/14/2023

The secondary o2 pump will burn out or continue running causing unsafe risk to short circuit a fire. Recall has already been previously documented in the -2014 models however Subaru uses the same design and part number. My car Secondary o2 Pump was replaced under warrenty at 55k miles now at 90knmiles have the same CEL code.

ODI #11512930

ENGINE — Filed 03/14/2023

Engine has rod knock present common amongst owners. Short block replaced under warranty at 55k miles. How can a stock engine with synthetic oil changes commonly fail? Flaws.

ODI #11493886

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 10/05/2021

I first noticed the car engine began making a loud ticking sound and significantly lost power as I exited the freeway heading toward my home after work. After towing the vehicle to the Subaru dealership, they tore apart the engine and found a connecting rod bearing had failed. It had slid out between the rod and crankshaft and shattered in the oil system sending shards of metal into the engine and all components that the oil touches. Every component that oil touches needed to be replaced. Prior to this problem, maintenance and oil changes were performed according to Subaru's specifications. Had the engine completely failed on the freeway during my commute home (during rush hour traffic) I could have caused an accident and possibly hurt myself and others. Subaru inspected and kept the components that were faulty though they never accepted responsibility for the failure of the components. There was absolutely no indication nor warning signal prior to the failure of the connecting rod bearing. Subaru blamed me for the component failure saying the vehicle was not properly maintained though they never asked me for proof of maintenance. I had to pay $7868 to repair the car to it's original mechanical state.

ODI #11470555

ENGINE — Filed 06/11/2021

-Engine Head Gasket (Blown), Yes. -Engine coolant created cloud of white vapor while driving, impairing ability to visually assess the road. Leaked hazardous fluid over freeway possibly contaminating soils and affecting local wildlife. -The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by Eastside Subaru in Kirkland, WA. -The vehicle has been inspected by Eastside Subaru in Kirkland, WA. -There was no warning (check engine lights) until the incident occurred.

ODI #11446991

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/09/2022

* 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 inclimate/severe weather may impede egress from elements and/or not allow for certain functions of the vehicle that would assist in providing warmth or cooling to occupants. *No, dealer simply replaced battery *No *Vehicle in question was purchased new in 2015 with no electrical modifications. OD reads ~92000 miles. This is the third battery replacement with evidence of suspected overcharging such as excessive build up of copper sulfate and corrosion on positive battery terminal (present on all replaced batteries).

ODI #11442284

ENGINE — Filed 09/14/2021

Turbocharger intake cracked and causes the engine to have an extremely rough idle and stall. My vehicle has the same issue as NHTSA campaign number 16V16200 however it was manufactured before April 10th 2015 so it is not included in that recall.

ODI #11436518

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 01/01/2021

Car battery is constantly drained even when car is used every other day

ODI #11430895

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/29/2021

DEFECTIVE OEM THROW-OUT BEARING and FORK in the SIX SPEED manual transmission completely BURNING the clutch. I was going up a hill and the car just started rolling back. No gear would work on the car.

ODI #11429818

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,ENGINE — Filed 04/01/2020

The engine blew up around 75k miles, it had blown a rod barring even though the car had been maintained. The clutch prematurly went out causing me to have to replace everything but the flywheel at under 75k miles. The clockspring is bad in the car affecting the horn and air bags. Having to get that replaced as well. The car is currently at a dealership getting everything resolved other than the clutch as thats already been replaced. My safely and others safely were at risk as if the clutch went out while driving, my horn would not work, my airbag light was on flashing and possibly wouldn't deploy in an accident and the engine blowing up due to a thrown rod barring put me at risk as it was on the freeway this happened. You can get all this info on mileage and what has been replaced. This has cost me thousands upon thousands of dollars to fix in the car when none of it should of happened.

ODI #11417670

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/16/2017

Battery lasted only less than 2 year s

ODI #11415216

ENGINE — Filed 02/10/2021

I OWN A 2015 WRX LIMITED CVT. WHEN I GO TO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND I START IT, THE CAR SPUTTERS. I'VE ONLY NOTICED THIS ON COLD STARTS ONLY, ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP IT'S FINE. FOR SOME REASON THOUGH WHEN THE CAR IS SPUTTERING ON START UPS IT WILL TRIP MY CEL AND BASICALLY PUT THE CAR INTO 'GET HOME' MODE, BUT IT ONLY SEEMS TO TRIGGER THE CEL WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE CAR WILL ALWAYS SPUTTER ON START UP BUT SOMETIMES THE CEL WILL COME ON AND I CAN'T USE THE DRIVE MODES AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T COME ON. NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CAN'T GET THE CAR TO STOP SPUTTERING. I'VE CLEANED PRETTY MUCH EVERY SENSOR I COULD AND NOTHING WORKED. I SCANNED THE OBD2 PORT AND GOT P0300 FOR RANDOM MISFIRE, WHICH TELLS ME ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

ODI #11413825

STEERING — Filed 04/24/2021

WHEN I TAKE SHARP TURNS (LIKE PARALLEL PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY) MY STEERING COLUMN CLUNKS. MAINLY LEFT TURNS ... BUT IT DOES HAPPEN TIME TO TIME WITH RIGHT TURNS.

ODI #11413827

STRUCTURE — Filed 04/25/2021

RUST IS ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK.

ODI #11402544

STRUCTURE — Filed 10/01/2019

RUST APPEARING ON DOOR(S) FRAME INSIDE NEAR WEATHER STRIP, BUBBLING OUTWARDS AND SHOWING OUTSIDE ON B-PILLAR.

ODI #11385687

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 12/20/2020

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 VEHICLE FROM TURNING OFF BY ITSELF. O2 SENSOR, BANK 1 SENSOR 2, IS ALSO MALFUNCTIONING.

ODI #11351304

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 12/01/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CREAKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. ALSO, A GRINDING SOUND WAS PRESENT WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JOLT WHILE ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MID HUDSON SUBARU LOCATED AT 1715 U.S. 9, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PITCHER STOPPER MOUNT WAS FAULTY AND WAS SEPARATING FROM THE ENGINE FIRE WALL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *LN *DL

ODI #11340765

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/02/2020

SQUEAKY CLUTCH PEDAL AND WHIRRING NOISE WHEN CLUTCH DEPRESSED

ODI #11290682

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 12/14/2019

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ~70 MPH AND SUDDENLY LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ONLY LOOSE SPEED. ENGINE STARTED TO SHUTTER TO LOW RPMS, AND BECAUSE OF THIS DRASTICALLY LOST SPEED AND NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE MOVING TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO PULL OVER. AFTER EVENTUALLY PULLING OVER, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SHUTTER TO LOW RPMS AND COULD NOT HOLD AN IDLE - WOULD JUST STALL AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO START IT UP. CAR WAS TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND AFTER WAITING 4 DAYS FINALLY HEARD IT WAS THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE I FOUND THAT SUBARU MADE A DESIGN CHANGE FOR THE WIRE HARNESS TO PREVENT WATER/MOISTURE FAILURE WHICH IS MOST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. STUCK WITH A $1400 BILL DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A 2020 MODEL WHICH HOPEFULLY DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER CALLING SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA AND EXPLAINING THE SITUATION, THEY OFFERED ME $1000 TOWARDS THE NEW PURCHASE. IT WAS A KIND GESTURE HOWEVER I QUESTION IF IT IS SOMEWHAT ADMISSION OF GUILT FOR THE DESIGN FLAW. 2015 WRX 138K MILES WAS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AT PROPER INTERVALS AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3-4K MILES.

ODI #11289668

ENGINE — Filed 12/14/2019

THE RPM DROP AND THE ENGINE STALLS, BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN FIRST GEAR, FROM WHAT I'VE NOTICED.

ODI #11280851

ENGINE — Filed 10/08/2019

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 FLOW. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE.

ODI #11256512

ENGINE — Filed 09/02/2019

VEHICLE HAD A BRAND NEW SHORT BLOCK WITH APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND SPUN A BEARING.

ODI #11114969Crash

STEERING — Filed 07/15/2018

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD. STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE CROSSED OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO SIGN AND DRAINAGE CULVERT. WAS TOTALLED FROM THE DAMAGE.

ODI #10663750CrashFire

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE — Filed 12/01/2014

AVOIDING A VEHICLE IN BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT HIS BREAKS CAUSING THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME TO HIT HIS BREAKS, I CLIP THE RIGHT FRONT FASCIA INTO THE LEFT SEAT CORNER OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER, TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov