2013 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 WRX years
The 2013 Subaru WRX ranks 12th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 27, earning a 'Good' verdict. NHTSA logs 7 complaints and 11 recalls for this year, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 86% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Subaru WRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (86%)
- Brakes2 (29%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Other1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
What owners report
- Owners report clutch firewall welds breaking loose, making the clutch feel soft and flexible before a full transmission failure.
- Some describe a burning smell from the clutch area during idling or easy driving, later diagnosed as a burnt clutch with possible flywheel damage.
- One owner reported the engine throwing a connecting rod shortly after the break-in period, requiring a warranty engine replacement.
- A brand-new clutch reportedly failed at 500 miles, followed by a second clutch that engaged high and quick, causing frequent stalls.
- Owners describe a clutch release (throw-out) bearing wearing out, producing a squeaky or grinding noise and a loss of power while driving.
- One driver reported the brakes failing to respond during a stop, requiring use of the e-brake to avoid a collision.
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?
- Relative to other WRX model years, the 2013 is rated 'Good.' It has a Complaint Index of 27 and ranks 12th out of 16 years, with only 7 NHTSA complaints logged.
- What problems does the 2013 Subaru WRX have?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 86% of complaints, mainly involving the clutch. NHTSA also lists brake, engine, and structure & body complaints for this year.
- Does the 2013 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2013 WRX, covering airbags and electrical system components such as the ignition switch and brake light switch. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2013 WRX transmission problems occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 18,650 miles at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2013 WRX.
- How does the 2013 WRX compare to other model years?
- The 2013 WRX's Complaint Index of 27 is much lower than the 2017 WRX's index of 100, which ranks worst among the 16 model years covered.