YearToAvoid

2022 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2022 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 90, ranked 3rd worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA logged 25 complaints, mostly engine-related (60%), plus 1 recall covering Eyesight high-beam instructions.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
90/100
#3 of 21 WRX years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
25
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
19 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2022 Subaru WRX problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine oil pickup tubes clog with excess RTV silicone sealant, leading to oil starvation and reported engine failure under 4,000 miles.
  • Airbags failed to deploy during low-speed and high-speed front-end collisions, including one crash where the engine compartment caught fire.
  • The infotainment screen goes blank intermittently, which also disables the Eyesight camera and automatic braking function.
  • The vehicle has randomly failed to accelerate then lurched forward into the rev limiter while merging in traffic.
  • Hill assist braking released after a short delay on an incline, allowing the car to roll into a tree.
2022 Subaru WRX complaints: complaints filed per month11Oct 2022Feb 2023Apr 2023Jul 2023May 2024Jan 2025May 2026
25 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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Caution7017121
2021Good4513121
2022Avoid9025121.5
2023Caution508121.5
2024Caution5513021.5

All Subaru WRX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru WRX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 WRX a complaint index of 90, the 3rd worst among 21 model years of the WRX, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other WRX years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2022 Subaru WRX?
Engine issues dominate, accounting for 60% of complaints (15 of 25), with several owners describing RTV silicone sealant clogging the oil pickup tube and causing oil starvation.
Does the 2022 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (23V016000) was issued for incorrect owner's manual instructions on adjusting the Eyesight High Beam Assist sensitivity.
How does the 2022 WRX compare to other WRX years?
Its complaint index of 90 is close to the worst year, 2017, which has an index of 100, while years like 2005, 2006, and 2021 rank as Good with much lower indexes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Subaru WRX?
EPA rates it at 21.5 mpg combined (19 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,725.

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.