2015 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 WRX years
NHTSA lists 52 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2015 Subaru WRX, with a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst among 16 model years and earning an Avoid verdict. Top issues are Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, each 35% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
Top 2015 Subaru WRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine18 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (35%)
- Electrical System10 (19%)
- Fuel System5 (10%)
- Other5 (10%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags and seat belt tensioners failed to activate during a low-speed collision, followed by a vehicle fire.
- Steering wheel reportedly stopped responding on a straight road, causing the vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic.
- Manual transmission clutch reportedly burned and failed during normal acceleration, with no warning beforehand.
- Paddle-shift equipped automatic transmission would not upshift on repeated occasions shortly after purchase.
- Headlights disabled themselves in cold weather, showing a dashboard warning and shutting off lighting, blinkers, and daytime running lights.
- Engine idle reportedly spiked unexpectedly while coasting to a stop in manual transmission cars.
2015 Subaru WRX recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Electrical System59,934 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
- NHTSA 17V625000Oct 6, 2017Electrical System9,178 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 WRX and WRX/STI vehicles, equipped with an optional factory-installed subwoofer in the trunk. Items in the trunk may cause the subwoofer wiring to contact the subwoofer metal frame, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short may damage the subwoofer amplifier, and may result in the subwoofer overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the subwoofer wire, install a wire retainer clip, and, as necessary, replace the subwoofer, free of charge. The recall began October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTQ-76.
- NHTSA 16V162000Mar 21, 2016Engine18,187 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
2015 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2015 WRX has 52 complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking it 4th worst of 16 model years, with an Avoid verdict relative to other WRX years.
- What problems does the 2015 Subaru WRX have?
- Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for 35% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 19% and Fuel System at 10%.
- Does the 2015 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a backup light switch issue, a trunk-mounted subwoofer wiring hazard, and a turbocharger air intake duct defect.
- At what mileage do 2015 WRX problems tend to show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Transmission & Powertrain issues appeared around 23,000 miles, Electrical System around 15,490 miles, and Engine problems around 86,000 miles.
- How does the 2015 WRX compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 80 is higher than 2013 (27), 2014 (20), and most other years except 2017 (100) and 2018 (93), which are also rated Avoid.