The most-reported WRX run is JF1VA1B61H9 (2017 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Engine problems make up 27% of reports; 2017 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for WRX model years 2015–2023.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru WRX has 221 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every WRX complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF1VA1B61H9•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1E67H9•••••• | 2017 | 2 | 1 | |
| JF1VA1B60H9•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1E69G9•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1G64F9•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1N66H8•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1L61H9•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1L69J8•••••• | 2018 | 3 | — | |
| JF1VA1E60G9•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| JF1VA2M61H9•••••• | 2017 | 2 | — | |
| JF1VA1A68J9•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| JF1VA1C66J9•••••• | 2018 | — | 1 |
Each of the other 209 WRX runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 127 WRX VINs so far, most often 2018, 2023, 2015 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru WRX the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2017 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 2023 | 8 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 25 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 13 | 11 | — | |
| 2020 | 17 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 30 | 27 | — | |
| 2018 | 42 | 29 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 53 | 36 | 8 | |
| 2016 | 30 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 47 | 38 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2017 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2020 at 1. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 27% of everything Subaru WRX owners report: Engine, 87 of 280 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | 3 | |
| Power Train | — | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 1 | |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 11 | 2 | |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Subaru WRX; the 6 below cover build years 2015 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V522000 | Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch | 2015–2021 |
| 21V587000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2018–2019 |
| 16V162000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger | 2015–2016 |
| 23V754000 | Power Train:driveline:driveshaft | 2023 |
| 23V016000 | Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual | 2022 |
| 15V366000 | Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking | 2016 |
22V522000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2015: 7 years on the road before the recall.
The WRX against its rivals
The WRX draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Toyota Corolla 5.2, the Genesis G70 1.6 and the Toyota C-HR 6.3. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru WRX | 280 | 221 | 7.5% | |
| Toyota Corolla | 10,489 | 2,033 | 14.9% | |
| Genesis G70 | 139 | 87 | 8.6% | |
| Toyota C-HR | 537 | 85 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 280 reports on the Subaru WRX, 7.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru WRX | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 280 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 21 (7.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 7 (2.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru WRX share of that is 280 complaints over 221 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru WRX VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 280 NHTSA complaints from 221 WRX runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which WRX production run has the most complaints?
JF1VA1B61H9, a 2017 build, with 5 complaints. The typical WRX run has 1.3.
Which WRX years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2017 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2020 lightest at 1.
Does the WRX get more complaints than the Toyota Corolla?
No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the WRX against 5.2 for the Toyota Corolla.
How many WRX complaints involve a crash?
7.5% of 280 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.
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