2011 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 WRX years
The 2011 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 13, low compared to other WRX years, and ranks 14th worst of 16 years tracked. NHTSA lists 11 recalls, mostly airbag inflators, but only 4 owner complaints total.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2011 Subaru WRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes1 (25%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Fuel System1 (25%)
- Other1 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)
What owners report
- Dash warning lights for ABS, traction control, and hill assist illuminate together, disabling anti-lock brakes and traction control, with brake lights also failing at a median 10,500 miles.
- Some owners had the ABS-related part replaced under warranty, only for the same warning lights and brake function loss to return afterward.
- Clutch pedal produces a squeaking noise when fully depressed while shifting into first gear, at a median 38,000 miles.
- A clicking noise from the clutch pedal can occur even with only partial depression, reproducible regardless of temperature or time of day.
- A P2441 check engine code tied to a stuck secondary air valve in the emissions system appeared at a median 97,000 miles, described as a recurring issue across turbo-engine Subarus.
2011 Subaru WRX recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2011 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA data shows only 4 owner complaints for the 2011 WRX and a complaint index of 13, which is low relative to other WRX model years.
- What problems does the 2011 Subaru WRX have?
- Owners reported issues with brakes (ABS, traction control, and hill assist lights activating together), a squeaking or clicking clutch pedal, and a secondary air valve code triggering the check engine light.
- Does the 2011 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2011 WRX, most involving airbag inflator replacement, plus recalls covering the ignition switch and brake light switch.
- How does the 2011 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2011 WRX ranks 14th worst out of 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 13, far below the worst years like 2017 (complaint index 100) and 2015 (complaint index 80).