2020 SUBARU WRX Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

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 purchased brand new on nov 2024.At this point I am not sure what to do. I don’t want to keep changing batteries every 3 months. Already contacted Subaru America and they have asked me to go back to the dealership and have them provide a diagnostic assessment.

Jan 07, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru WRX. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that telematics control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Mar 24, 2023

Have had this car since late 2019 around November and it is now 2022 and I'm at 25k miles in my battery is already failing I have had it tested and the cold cranking amps are why below where they should be causing the car not be able to start at time . I've had other car batteries that lasted long than 2 and a half years.

May 22, 2022

I have owned the car for ~15 months and driven it for 2500 miles. The battery has failed four times. Each time Subaru has replaced the battery under warranty and told me that nothing is wrong and that the car simply needs to be driven more. I now see that this is a systemic problem for Subarus (e.g. https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-battery-drain-lawsuit-new-claims-now-include-forester-wrx-and-legacy) A recall is needed to force Subaru to address this problem.

May 17, 2021

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 complaints

Got in the car to drive to work and the front windshield just cracked on its own with nothing hitting it.

Jan 12, 2022

SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT, A LOUD POP OCCURS AND WHEN I LOOK BACK, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES TALL AND AT LEAST 18 INCHES WIDE. IT WAS LIKELY AN IMPLOSION. NO OBJECTS WERE FOUND NEAR, ON, OR IN THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD CRUMBLED AFTER THAT, AS EACH ACCELERATION DROPPED MORE GLASS INSIDE THE CAR. NOTHING PROMPTED IT, JUST SITTING STATIONARY AT A STOPLIGHT. DEFROSTER WAS NOT ON, TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45 FAHRENHEIT WITH MINIMAL WIND. HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES. MY REAR FACING CAR SEAT, WITH CHILD IN IT, COLLECTED A FAIR AMOUNT OF THE GLASS.

Jan 16, 2021

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

Oct 26, 2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching

Aug 29, 2025

Battery drainage occurring often. I have been left stranded at night time in unsafe areas. The car was taken to the dealer twice and both times the battery has been “recharge”. I”ve had the car for less than 3 years. No symptoms occur before this happens. This seems to happen when the car has not need moved for more than a day.

Sep 22, 2022

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

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.

Oct 17, 2025

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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.

Jul 28, 2025

ENGINE

1 complaint

I purchased the vehicle used with 33800 miles and at 34100 the engine stalled and was hard to start, once started it was knocking severely. I have seen a class action law suit based on the same issues but the 2020 model year is not included

Sep 23, 2024

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

Rear passenger seatbelts fraying. My two children are sitting in the back seat, there is no warning that my seatbelts were frayed putting their life at risk! Took the car to the dealership to have them check what is going on with the seatbelt mechanism, they said “there is no mechanical issue, therefore it is not under warranty.”

Aug 09, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

The vehicle seems to randomly die and bog out then all of the lights appear on the dash, I myself had to pay out of pocket for a new battery because autonation subaru arapahoe in colorado decided not to check it like I had asked and after getting my car back the issue was still there which is why I replaced it today. not only this but they sold me a highly modified vehicle without disclosing any of that info to me in the sale process.

Jan 30, 2022

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

UPON APPLYING PARKING BRAKE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, WHICH IS BEYOND 11 CLICKS AS STATED AS REQUIRED BY SUBARU, AND THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE GREATER THAN 8 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THE BRAKE IS REQUIRED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IT WILL NOT EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE WHEELS ARE STILL ALLOWED TO TURN MORE FREELY THAN EXPECTED GIVEN ITS INABILITY TO HOLD THE VEHICLE ON A HILL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU TWICE EXPRESSING THE COMPLAINT AND WAS SUMMARILY DENIED SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO EVEN INSPECT VEHICLE EVEN AFTER REQUESTING AN INSPECTION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT YOU MUST APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE TO 11 CLICKS AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. THE FORCE REQUIRED TO PULL THE PARKING BRAKE TO 11 CLICKS IS MORE THAN MANY PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO APPLY IN A SINGLE MOTION AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. IN ADDITION, AIR COMPRESSION IS EXPLICATED STATED IN FEDERAL LAW AS NOT ALLOWED AS A MECHANISM OF FORCE FOR USE IN A PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. AIR COMPRESSION IS WHAT IS USED IN THE ENGINE AS A MEANS TO PREVENT THE WHEELS FROM MOVING WHEN IN GEAR. FURTHER, THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM SHALL ACCORDING TO FEDERAL LAW, USE AN ACCUMULATION OF FORCE INDEPENDENT OF OTHER SYSTEMS FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE PER THE INSTRUCTION FROM SUBARU. LASTLY, SUBARU ALSO INSTRUCTED ME TO PUT A WHEEL STOP BEHIND THE WHEEL AS A STANDARD PRACTICE IN THIS COMMON PARKING SCENARIO, WHICH ISN'T POSSIBLE TO DO IF I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO PLACE THE WHEEL STOP. AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE MOVES SO I AM UNABLE TO SAFELY EXIT VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PLACE THE WHEEL STOP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BOTH FOR KEEPING A PARKED VEHICLE IN PLACE AND ALSO IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKE SCENARIO.

Feb 16, 2021

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE SON WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, RUNNING A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A LIGHT POST, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT STATED FIVE DAYS PRIOR HER SON WAS DRIVING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGED WHILE COMING TO A STOP LIGHT. THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED DURING EITHER FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PARAMEDIC CAME HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO CALL THE DOCTOR FOR X-RAYS. THE DRIVER WAS SEEN BY HIS DOCTOR FOR HIS FRACTURED WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED HERITAGE SUBARU OWNINGS MILLS (9808 REISTERSTOWN ROAD OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,100. *DT*JB

Apr 30, 2020

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHEELS

1 complaint

I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU WRX LIMITED. I HAVE LEARNED BY INSPECTION THAT THE STANDARD OEM TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE IS A DUNLOP SPORT MAX RT. THIS IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRE. THIS CLASS OF TIRE IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO BE USED IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND ESPECIALLY ON ICE AND SNOW. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED SUCH TIRES AND THEY ARE TERRIFYING ON ICE, THAT IS, DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN A AREA OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SNOW AND ICE ARE COMMON. SUBARU DID NOT INFORM ME OF THESE TIRES AND I AM NOW CONFRONTED WITH PURCHASING A NEW SET OF ALL SEASON TIRES SO I CAN SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR. BY THE WAY, I HAVE PREVIOUSLY WORKED IN TIRE ENGINEERING. IS A LESS KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON EXPECTED TO RECOGNIZE SUCH A DEFICIENCY AND TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS? NOT DRIVE IN COLD, SNOWY OR ICY CONDITIONS OR PURCHASE NEW TIRES?

Dec 30, 2019

4.7/5.0

50 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2020 SUBARU WRX have?

The 2020 SUBARU WRX currently has 17 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2020 SUBARU WRX?

The most common problems reported for the 2020 SUBARU WRX are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2020 SUBARU WRX problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2020 SUBARU WRX comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.