YearToAvoid

2022 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 WRX years

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

The 2022 Subaru WRX has 25 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 87, and ranks 3rd worst among 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other WRX years. Engine problems dominate, making up 60% of complaints.

Complaints
25
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2022 Subaru WRX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine15 (60%)
  2. Other5 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain4 (16%)
  4. Electrical System3 (12%)
  5. Airbags2 (8%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (8%)
  7. Brakes1 (4%)
  8. Fuel System1 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report excessive RTV silicone sealant breaking loose and clogging the oil pickup tube, leading to oil starvation and engine failure.
  • Some drivers experienced this engine failure before reaching 4,000 miles.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front-end and high-speed collisions, in one case at 19,800 miles.
  • The infotainment screen has gone blank intermittently, disabling the EyeSight camera system and related automatic braking function.
  • Some owners describe the car unexpectedly failing to accelerate then lurching forward to the rev limiter, raising collision concerns.
  • A hill-assist brake feature reportedly released after a short delay, letting the car roll away unattended.
2022 Subaru WRX complaints: complaints filed per month11Oct 2022Feb 2023Apr 2023Jul 2023May 2024Jan 2025May 2026
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2022 to Jul 2026; peak Jan 2023 (11).

2022 Subaru WRX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V016000Jan 23, 2023Other4,615 vehicles

    Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will mail an owner's manual insert containing the correct information, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-23.

2022 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,725
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.

2022 compared with other WRX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Caution5317121
2021Good4013121
2022Avoid8725121.5
2023Good478121.5
2024Caution7313021.5

All Subaru WRX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru WRX reliable?
Relative to other WRX model years, the 2022 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 87 and an Avoid verdict. Engine complaints, mostly tied to an oil pickup tube issue, make up 60% of reports.
What is the main problem with the 2022 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA complaints show the top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 15 of 25 complaints (60%), largely describing RTV sealant clogging the oil pickup tube and causing oil starvation.
Does the 2022 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 23V016000) for 2022 WRX vehicles with the EyeSight feature, addressing incorrect owner's manual instructions for High Beam Assist sensitivity adjustment. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 WRX compare to other WRX years for fuel economy?
The 2022 WRX gets an EPA-rated 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.
How many complaints does the 2022 Subaru WRX have?
NHTSA lists 25 complaints for the 2022 Subaru WRX, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and no reported injuries or deaths.

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.