YearToAvoid

2020 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 70, ranking 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 crash tied to Electrical System issues, the top problem area at 29% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 WRX years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
17
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2021
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2020 Subaru WRX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System5 (29%)
  2. Engine3 (18%)
  3. Visibility & Wipers3 (18%)
  4. Brakes2 (12%)
  5. Other2 (12%)
  6. Seat Belts2 (12%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (12%)
  8. Airbags1 (6%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (6%)
  10. Fuel System1 (6%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report batteries failing repeatedly, sometimes replaced multiple times under warranty without a fix identified.
  • Some drivers describe the car stalling or bogging down with warning lights flooding the dash before it dies.
  • A telematics control module failure was diagnosed after the vehicle would not start, requiring replacement.
  • Windshields have cracked or shattered without impact, in one case while the car was stopped at a light.
  • Rear seat belts were found frayed with no mechanical cause identified by the dealer.
  • One owner reported the brakes failed to stop the vehicle at 40 mph before a crash where airbags did not deploy and the seat belt did not lock.
2020 Subaru WRX complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2019Oct 2020Feb 2021Jan 2022Sep 2022Aug 2024Jan 2025Aug 2025
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2019 to Oct 2025; peak Jan 2022 (2).

2020 Subaru WRX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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.

2020 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
24 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.

2020 compared with other WRX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid9542220
2019Caution6030221
2020Caution7017121
2021Good4513121
2022Avoid9025121.5

All Subaru WRX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Subaru WRX reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 WRX carries a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst among 21 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other WRX years.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru WRX?
Electrical System issues make up 29% of complaints, mainly battery failures and a case of stalling with dash warning lights. Engine, Visibility & Wipers, Brakes, and Seat Belts follow with smaller shares.
Does the 2020 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 22V522000) covers a backup light switch that can corrode and stop working, which can knock out the backup lights and the rearview camera image.
How does the 2020 WRX compare to other WRX years?
Its complaint index of 70 is lower than 2017 (100), 2018 (95), and 2022 (90), which are rated Avoid, but higher than years like 2021 (45) and 2005 (35), which are rated Good.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Subaru WRX?
EPA rates the 2020 WRX at 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.