2015 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Subaru WRX ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, with a Complaint Index of 85 and an Avoid verdict. Owners reported 52 complaints led by Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues (35% each), plus 3 recalls covering electrical and engine components.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 52
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2015 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headlights and daytime running lights suddenly disable with a dashboard warning, mostly in very cold weather.
- Manual transmission clutch reportedly burns out with a strong odor, sometimes leaving the car stuck in gear or unable to start.
- Idle reportedly spikes on its own for a second or two while coasting to a stop, without driver input.
- Automatic transmission in manual mode reportedly refuses to upshift when using the paddle shifter.
- Steering wheel reportedly stopped responding while driving on a straight road, leading to a crash.
- Airbags and seat belt tensioner reportedly failed to activate in a minor collision, and the vehicle then caught fire.
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?
- Compared with other WRX model years, 2015 ranks poorly. It has a Complaint Index of 85, the 4th worst of 21 model years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru WRX?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues each make up 35% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 19% and Fuel System issues at 10%.
- Does the 2015 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 WRX: a backup light switch corrosion issue, a subwoofer wiring hazard in the trunk, and a turbocharger air intake duct defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2015 WRX problems usually show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 31,250 miles overall, though Engine complaints cluster around 86,000 miles and Electrical System complaints around 15,490 miles.
- How does the 2015 WRX compare to other model years?
- The 2015 WRX's Complaint Index of 85 is worse than most other years; only 2017 (100) and 2018 (95) rank worse, while years like 2021 (45) and 2005 (35) earn a Good verdict.