CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Subaru›
  4. WRX›
  5. 2015›
  6. Complaints

2015 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2015 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2015 Subaru WRX has 73 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve power train and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 73 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

POWER TRAIN

18 24.7%

ENGINE

18 24.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 8.2%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 6.8%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 6.8%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 24.7% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 15 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2015 Subaru WRX.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2015 Subaru WRX

The 2015 Subaru WRX has 73 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2015 Subaru WRX are POWER TRAIN (18), ENGINE (18), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 34 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 Subaru WRX?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2016 WRX complaints2014 WRX complaints2017 WRX complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 15 of 15 systems

POWER TRAIN

18 Reports25% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITH A STRONG BURNED CLUTCH ODOR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

5/20/2014

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN MANUAL MODE. LEFT STOP SIGN AND USED THE UPSHIFT PADDLE SHIFTER TO CHANGE GEARS. CAR WOULD NOT UPSHIFT. HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THIS 6200 MILES SINCE PURCHASED. *TR

9/16/2014

16 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

18 Reports25% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2015 WRX 2.0L MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS I HAVE HAD (3) DISTINCT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENGINE/THROTTLE/IDLE. 1) GHOST BLIP: WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AROUND 5-15 MPH, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL COAST TO A STOP IDLE WILL INEXPLICABLY SPIKE FROM ~700RPM (IDLE) --> ~1.2-1.5K RPM (FOR A SECOND OR TWO...LIKE A GHOST BLIPPED THE THROTTLE). NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR. 2) ROUGH IDLE: WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, IN NEUTRAL, ~700RPM (IDLE) --> WILL DIP TO ~650-600RPM FOR A FRACTION OF SECOND & REOCCUR EVERY 2-4 SECONDS. FEELS LIKE SOMEONE LIGHTLY SHAKING YOUR SEAT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. 3) NEAR STALL: WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, IN NEUTRAL, ~700RPM (IDLE) --> WILL DIP THE RPMS LOW ENOUGH THAT THE WHOLE CAR NOTICEABLY SHAKES...SIMILAR TO THE SHAKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE IF THE ENGINE WERE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO STALL. THE RPMS WILL FUMBLE AROUND A BIT AND THEN HICCUP BACK TO NORMAL IDLE AFTER 4-5 SECONDS. ALL THREE ITEMS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER ON (2) OCCASIONS W/ THE REPLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND/OR IT IS NORMAL.

8/11/2015

IN A 2015 SUBARU WRX WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION PURCHASED 03/2015 AND DELIVERED TO PURCHASE DEALER 04/2015. REPORTED TO SUBARU DEALER 02/19/2016 A ROUGH IDLE WITH ENGINE RPMS RECORDED BETWEEN 400 AND 1K. ROUGH IDLE TRIPPED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AFTER FUELING AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0420 REPORTED A FAULT IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SOFTWARE UPDATE TO COMPUTER PERFORMED RESOLVED ISSUE TEMPORARILY. 04/10/2016 AT 9.7K MILES ROUGH IDLE ISSUE RETURNED RPMS OF 400 TO 1K AGAIN AFTER FUELING. IN NEUTRAL 30-60 SECONDS AFTER STARTING VEHICLE STALLED AT FUEL STATION. UPON RE-STARTING VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE, FLASHING CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, HILL-START ASSIST, AND TRACTION CONTROL FAULTS TRIPPED. VEHICLE BEHAVIOR SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL 16V-162 WHERE NHTSA NOTED 'DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL FOR A PORTION OF THE ENGINE TURBOCHARGER AIR INTACT DUCT CRACK, THE ENGINE MAY DEVELOP A ROUGH IDLE, REDUCED POWER, AND POSSIBLY STALL'. COMPLAINANT BELIEVES RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A WIDER RANGE OF VINS BEFORE LISTED PRODUCTION DATES IN RECALL ORDER.

4/10/2016

16 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT, A LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH THAT DISPLAYED, "HEADLIGHTS DISABLED." THE HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, SO I IGNORED THE MESSAGE. FEW HOURS LATER, THE LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY FOR ~15 SECONDS AND THEN WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY, DRIVING AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND BOTH HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I CAUTIOUSLY PULLED OVER, AND SET MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. I FLICKED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY AND THEY CAME BACK ON. DROVE FOR ANOTHER 10 MINS AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT TURNED OFF, AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STAYED ON. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY, BUT THE LIGHT NEVER CAME BACK ON. THE NEXT DAY, THE MESSAGE IS STILL DISPLAYED, BUT BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING. I FEEL IT VERY UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT NIGHT, WHICH IS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE, AS THE HEADLIGHTS MAY TURN OFF AGAIN. *TR

4/12/2015

DRIVING CAR WITH PASSENGER IN COLD WEATHER (~0 DEGREES F) ON CITY STREETS. AFTER 10MIN OF DRIVING, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCHED OFF, NOTIFYING ME THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER WAS SEATED. ADDITIONALLY, NEAR THE SPEEDOMETER, THE SRS AIRBAG ERROR NOTIFICATION TURNED ON, SIGNALING AN ISSUE WITH THE SRS SYSTEM. INCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN REPLICATED.

12/28/2015

4 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN MANUAL MODE. LEFT STOP SIGN AND USED THE UPSHIFT PADDLE SHIFTER TO CHANGE GEARS. CAR WOULD NOT UPSHIFT. HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THIS 6200 MILES SINCE PURCHASED. *TR

9/16/2014

I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE VERY OFTEN AS I DRIVE MY WORK TRUCK SIX DAYS A WEEK. I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND REALIZED I NEEDED GAS BEFORE I LEFT. I GOT TO THE GAS STATION WITH MY GAS LIGHT ON AND PARKED. AFTER PAYING FOR GAS I REALIZED MY GAS CAP ACCESS DOOR WAS NOT OPEN, AS I THOUGHT I OPENED IT. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES OPENING THE DOOR WITH THE RELEASE LEVER ON THE FLOOR BY THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES OF CONFUSION I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT OVER RIGHT AWAY ( GOOD THING THEY ARE DOWN THE STREET FROM ME). AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TALKING TO THE TECH AND SERVICE WRITER I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THIS (SOME WHAT). THERE IS A PART ON THE RELEASE MECHANISM THAT IS WEAK AND FAILS CAUSING YOU TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS YOUR GAS CAP. THIS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IF YOU ARE ON A ROAD TRIP OR AWAY FROM ANY DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE WRITER ALSO HAD SAID THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON WITH THE NEW 2015 WRX AND THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT TWO VEHICLES COMING BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM PER WEEK. SUBARU NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGN AND RECALL ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

1/30/2015

3 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HEADLIGHTS DISABLED. STARTED THE CAR, "HEADLIGHTS DISABLED" MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD. HEADLIGHTS WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL. THIS WAS IN VERY COLD WEATHER, APPROXIMATELY -10F. AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED WORKING AGAIN, MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD WENT AWAY. DEALER SERVICE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM. IF ALL THE HEADLIGHTS HAD BECOME DISABLED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM IS CREATED BY THIS ISSUE. NOTHING SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUDDENLY DISABLE ALL THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT WARNING. .....UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF

2/19/2015

THREE SEPARATE OCCURRENCES OF THE LED HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMING ON, TOTALLY DISABLING HEADLIGHTS, DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS, AND BLINKERS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS I PRIMARILY DRIVE TO WORK AT NIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS ARE OBVIOUSLY NEEDED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER, THE LAST OCCURRENCE AT -6F. STEPS TO REPLICATE ISSUE: 1) WARM CAR UP ABOUT 5 MINUTES. 2) DRIVE TO DESTINATION. TURN CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT 5-10 MINUTES. 3) START CAR BACK UP AND THE LED WARNING LIGHT APPEARS. WHEN THIS LIGHT COMES ON, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE LIGHTS WITH AUTO, OR MANUAL. THE LAST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED DURING THE DAY FORTUNATELY, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE LIGHT WAS OFF EVEN THOUGHT I HAD STRESSED TO THEM THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. .....UPDATED 12/15/15 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/25/2017*CN

2/23/2015

3 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

5 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW WITH LESS THAN TEN MILES ON ODOMETER. FROM NEW, THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING OR MELTING PLASTIC EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING AND THEN CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED AT 5100 MILES. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, CLUTCH REPLACED. AT 7,200 MILES, CLUTCH THROW-OUT BEARING FAILED, DEALER REPLACED. AT 11,709 MILES, THROW OUT BEARING FAILED AGAIN, DEALER DISCOVERED CLUTCH WAS ON THE VERGE OF SECOND FAILURE DURING SERVICE. A SECOND REPLACEMENT CLUTCH HAS BEEN ORDERED. ADVISED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT CAUSE OF ALL FAILURES WAS THAT A "PLUG" OF SOME SORT HAD WORKED LOOSE, CAUSING CLUTCH TO REMAIN ENGAGED AT ALL TIMES, LEADING TO CLUTCH FAILURE. IF CLUTCH FAILURE OCCURRED AT INTERSECTION OR RAIL CROSSING, THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT COULD LEAD TO THE SEVERE INJURY OR EVEN THE DEATH OF OCCUPANTS IN THE DISABLED VEHICLE, AS THIS FAILURE RENDERS THE VEHICLE IMMOBILE.

9/3/2015

WHILE WAITING IN A PARKING WITH CAR AND AC TURNED ON, THE CABIN BEGAN TO SMELL VERY HARD LIKE GAS THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKED AND WAITING. DID IT AGAIN WHILE WAITING IN ANOTHER PARKING WITH CAR AND AC TURNED ON AFTER 10 MINUTES. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, PARKED WITH AC ON. NOT WHILE DRIVING OR FREQUENT FAST STOPS.

4/9/2018

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

4 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AVOIDING A VEHICLE IN BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT HIS BREAKS CAUSING THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME TO HIT HIS BREAKS, I CLIP THE RIGHT FRONT FASCIA INTO THE LEFT SEAT CORNER OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER, TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

12/12/2014

I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE VERY OFTEN AS I DRIVE MY WORK TRUCK SIX DAYS A WEEK. I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND REALIZED I NEEDED GAS BEFORE I LEFT. I GOT TO THE GAS STATION WITH MY GAS LIGHT ON AND PARKED. AFTER PAYING FOR GAS I REALIZED MY GAS CAP ACCESS DOOR WAS NOT OPEN, AS I THOUGHT I OPENED IT. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES OPENING THE DOOR WITH THE RELEASE LEVER ON THE FLOOR BY THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES OF CONFUSION I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT OVER RIGHT AWAY ( GOOD THING THEY ARE DOWN THE STREET FROM ME). AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TALKING TO THE TECH AND SERVICE WRITER I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THIS (SOME WHAT). THERE IS A PART ON THE RELEASE MECHANISM THAT IS WEAK AND FAILS CAUSING YOU TO NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS YOUR GAS CAP. THIS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC IF YOU ARE ON A ROAD TRIP OR AWAY FROM ANY DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE WRITER ALSO HAD SAID THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON WITH THE NEW 2015 WRX AND THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT TWO VEHICLES COMING BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM PER WEEK. SUBARU NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGN AND RECALL ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

1/30/2015

2 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

AVOIDING A VEHICLE IN BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT HIS BREAKS CAUSING THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME TO HIT HIS BREAKS, I CLIP THE RIGHT FRONT FASCIA INTO THE LEFT SEAT CORNER OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER, TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

12/12/2014

DRIVING CAR WITH PASSENGER IN COLD WEATHER (~0 DEGREES F) ON CITY STREETS. AFTER 10MIN OF DRIVING, PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCHED OFF, NOTIFYING ME THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER WAS SEATED. ADDITIONALLY, NEAR THE SPEEDOMETER, THE SRS AIRBAG ERROR NOTIFICATION TURNED ON, SIGNALING AN ISSUE WITH THE SRS SYSTEM. INCIDENT HAS NOT BEEN REPLICATED.

12/28/2015

1 more complaint is available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AT (866) 520-7894 (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL DEALER (CORPUS CHRISTI SUBARU, 3615 S PADRE ISLAND DR., CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 826-0630) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO COVER THE SUN ROOF WITH PLASTIC UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

5/31/2018

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK NOT FOLLOWING ANYONE CLOSELY. I DID NOT GO UNDER ANY OVERPASSES OR TREES AND I HAD MY SUNROOF CLOSED WITH THE SHADE VISOR OPEN AT THE TIME. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE (LOUD BOOM) AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FELL ON ME INTO THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE NEAR ME ON EITHER SIDE AND I KEPT MY COMPOSURE UNTIL I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO LOOK AND CLEAR THE GLASS FROM MY SEAT AND THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I INSPECTED THE SUNROOF GLASS, IT LOOKED LIKE SOME OF THE BROKEN PIECES ARE FORCED IN AN UPWARDS MANNER AS IF DUE TO PRESSURE OR TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION. I CHECKED OVER THE REST OF MY VEHICLE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CHIPS AND DEEP SCRATCHES FROM THE GLASS THAT DAMAGED MY ROOF, SHARKFIN ANTENNA, AND MY TRUNK AREA WHICH I WILL NEED TO HAVE REPAIRED TO AVOID RUST. I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED BY THIS INCIDENT AND GOT A FEW SMALL CUTS ON MY HANDS FROM CLEANING THE GLASS OFF SO I COULD DRIVE BACK HOME. I HAVE DASHCAM FOOTAGE (THAT CAN BE PROVIDED AS WELL) OF ME DRIVING DURING THIS OCCURRENCE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE HIT THE SUNROOF TO DAMAGE IT IN SUCH A WAY. THERE WERE ALSO NO OBJECTS THAT WENT INTO MY CAR'S CABIN FOLLOWING THE BREAKAGE. I WAS READING OVER OTHER SIMILAR REPORTED ISSUES AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS SPREAD ACROSS VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

4/30/2019

STEERING

2 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING ON STRAIGHT ROAD. STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE CROSSED OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO SIGN AND DRAINAGE CULVERT. WAS TOTALLED FROM THE DAMAGE.

7/31/2018

WHEN I TAKE SHARP TURNS (LIKE PARALLEL PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY) MY STEERING COLUMN CLUNKS. MAINLY LEFT TURNS ... BUT IT DOES HAPPEN TIME TO TIME WITH RIGHT TURNS.

4/25/2021

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITH A STRONG BURNED CLUTCH ODOR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

5/20/2014

SEAT BELTS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

AVOIDING A VEHICLE IN BLIND SPOT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT HIS BREAKS CAUSING THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME TO HIT HIS BREAKS, I CLIP THE RIGHT FRONT FASCIA INTO THE LEFT SEAT CORNER OF THE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER, TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF AND MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. *TR

12/12/2014

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2015 WRX 2.0L MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS I HAVE HAD (3) DISTINCT PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENGINE/THROTTLE/IDLE. 1) GHOST BLIP: WHEN COMING TO A STOP, AROUND 5-15 MPH, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL COAST TO A STOP IDLE WILL INEXPLICABLY SPIKE FROM ~700RPM (IDLE) --> ~1.2-1.5K RPM (FOR A SECOND OR TWO...LIKE A GHOST BLIPPED THE THROTTLE). NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR. 2) ROUGH IDLE: WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, IN NEUTRAL, ~700RPM (IDLE) --> WILL DIP TO ~650-600RPM FOR A FRACTION OF SECOND & REOCCUR EVERY 2-4 SECONDS. FEELS LIKE SOMEONE LIGHTLY SHAKING YOUR SEAT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. 3) NEAR STALL: WHILE SITTING AT A STOP, IN NEUTRAL, ~700RPM (IDLE) --> WILL DIP THE RPMS LOW ENOUGH THAT THE WHOLE CAR NOTICEABLY SHAKES...SIMILAR TO THE SHAKE YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE IF THE ENGINE WERE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO STALL. THE RPMS WILL FUMBLE AROUND A BIT AND THEN HICCUP BACK TO NORMAL IDLE AFTER 4-5 SECONDS. ALL THREE ITEMS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER ON (2) OCCASIONS W/ THE REPLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND/OR IT IS NORMAL.

8/11/2015

TIRES

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK WIDE OVAL TIRES CRACKING IN SIDEWALLS AFTER 13834 MILES ON VEHICLES. THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE GROWING CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS, NEAR THE TREAD. ALL CRACKS WERE ON THE INSIDE AND ONLY VISIBLE AFTER THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED.

12/1/2016

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AT (866) 520-7894 (3161 AUTOMOBILE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL DEALER (CORPUS CHRISTI SUBARU, 3615 S PADRE ISLAND DR., CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78415, (361) 826-0630) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO COVER THE SUN ROOF WITH PLASTIC UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

5/31/2018

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 Subaru WRX?

The most reported complaint category for the 2015 Subaru WRX is POWER TRAIN, with 18 owner reports. That is about 25% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2015 Subaru WRX a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 34 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 Subaru WRX?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2015 Subaru WRX severe?

34 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Subaru WRX: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
73
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall reportTuning guide

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2015 Subaru WRX

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved