2013 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Subaru WRX has 7 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 30, and 11 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict capped by the recall count rather than complaint volume. It ranks 15th out of 21 model years on complaint data alone.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2013 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (86%)
- Brakes2 (29%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Clutch assemblies fail early, sometimes within 500 to 7,800 miles, with soft or flexing pedal feel from broken firewall welds.
- Owners report a burning smell and clutch slippage developing over about 18 months and 25,000 miles even under normal, non-aggressive driving.
- Some drivers report sudden brake pedal failure requiring use of the e-brake to avoid a collision, at a median transmission-related mileage of 10,500 miles.
- One owner reported an engine connecting rod failure that required a full engine replacement under warranty, followed later by a knocking noise at 29,500 miles.
- Clutch release (throw-out) bearings wear out, producing a squeaking noise in cold weather and a grinding sensation with power loss under the clutch pedal.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2013 WRX with a complaint index of 30, which is on the lower end among WRX years, but the year carries 11 recall campaigns, so its verdict is Caution.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Subaru WRX?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues, mainly clutch-related, account for 86% of complaints (6 of 7), with a median failure mileage of 18,650 miles.
- Does the 2013 Subaru WRX have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2013 WRX, covering airbags and the electrical system, including ignition switch and brake light switch replacements.
- How does the 2013 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2013 WRX ranks 15th worst out of 21 model years by complaint index (30). Years like 2017 (index 100) and 2015 (index 85) rate worse under Avoid, while 2005 and 2006 rate Good.
- Why is the 2013 WRX capped at Caution instead of a better verdict?
- Its complaint index of 30 alone would suggest a milder rating, but the verdict is capped to Caution because the year has 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.