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2022 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ryan Davis
2022 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2022 Subaru WRX has 30 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.9/ 10

Based on 30 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

15 50%

POWER TRAIN

3 10%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 6.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 6.7%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

2 6.7%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 50% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 10 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.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Subaru WRX has 30 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 50% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2022 Subaru WRX are ENGINE (15), POWER TRAIN (3), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 20 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 2022 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 intervals2021 WRX complaints2023 WRX complaints2020 WRX complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 10 of 10 systems

ENGINE

15 Reports50% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Oil pickup tube filled with bits of liquid gasket/RTV. Caused engine failure from oil starvation at under 4000 miles.

1/3/2023

Excessive silicone rtv at the oil pan is making its way into the oil pan and going up into the oil pickup and is starving the motor of oil. could be very dangerous if it happens on the road and it immediately needs to be looked at by subaru.

1/3/2023

13 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

3 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Car has some type of black silicone inside oil pan. Inside upper pan as well. Also has clogged a screen that oil passed through. I have seen many people online do this pan drop time and time again and still having big chunks blocking its path to engine. I’m afraid of oil deprivation. This with ultimately destroy the entire motor. This could lead to serious injury or death if the motor suddenly goes. I believe this needs to be looked into to help prevent this. More of these 2022 Subaru wrxs being manufactured in this manner could ultimately destroy a 30,000$ vehicle and lead to crashing out unexpectedly. My phone number is [XXX] thank you for your time. ,[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

3/3/2023

The electric pushbutton would not function. I have a standard transmission and I let the clutch out too soon by accident. It killed the engine but the electrical components stayed on, such as lights, interior dash gauge, air conditioning, radio, everything else functioned as if the car were on and running however, i couldn't start the vehicle and the push button did not generate any response from the vehicle. Opening and shutting the door did not work, getting out and locking the car did not do anything. It was just like when a desktop computer freezes with the screen still functioning. This is the third time it has happened, the first 2 times it was 1. In a store parking lot 2. In my garage. 3. Today it happened as I was trying to leave the house, in my garage again. Each time, letting off the clutch too soon is what caused the car to behave this way. The first time I sat in the parking lot for about 15 minutes, same with the second time. This time I made sure to look at a clock and it happened at 10:50 am CST, it is 11:21 am CST currently and still no response from the car, it will not turn on. My safety so far has not been a concern as I was in a parking lot or garage each time this has happened but if this happens in traffic or in an intersection, it will be deadly. It will kill people both myself and other motorists. I have slipped off of the clutch before in this vehicle and this malfunction does not happen each time. It is sporadic. I don't know why it happens only sometimes. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or any other people. The first occurrences have been in the month of June 2023. There were no other warning lamps on to indicate any problems. The dash lights, air, etc remain on after it happens just like when you switch the car to the "Accessories" position however the engine will not Crank.

7/4/2023

1 more complaint is available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Subaru sent me an email informing me a software update was available for my vehicle. For weeks I tried to update the software, however it has been unavailable. I attempted to reach Subaru via their 1800 number at least a dozen times. Subaru does not answer their phones, and does not return calls when the option is selected. I opened an ticket number online via their complaint system and have also not received a response. I attempted to reach their roadside assistance phone line and also could not reach a person. I sent an email to Subaru Chief executive and received a call back from their executive offices. They acknowledged that they were also ubable to reach a person at any of their numbers including road side assistance. This is obviously extremely unacceptable for many reasons. Subaru charges for pre installed equipment and subscriptions for access to roadside and support. Not only are they building in cost to the consumer, but they are not delivering what they are promising, and most importantly, not providing what you are paying for. The safety aspect of not being able to reach roadside assistance is very serious . I have yet to receive an answer as to why i received an email telling me to update my vehicle software when I don't have software available to install. The dealership I purchased the vehicle from confirmed the software in my car isn't up to date, or is an obsolete version. Subaru needs to be held accountable for not providing the services they are advertising, selling, and customers are dependent on.

10/27/2022

My sunroof spontaneously shattered. The car was not moving at the time.

1/10/2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Infotaiment system goes to a blank screen periodicaly. Sound frm radio works but screen is balnk, no way to reset. Wifi updates are up to date. Whenthis happens it disables the eye sight camera causes a safety concern with automatic branking/collision. When the car sits overnight, then the next day it seems to go back to normal. This has happened 4 times already in the 2 months I have oened this vechicle.

2/5/2023

The electric pushbutton would not function. I have a standard transmission and I let the clutch out too soon by accident. It killed the engine but the electrical components stayed on, such as lights, interior dash gauge, air conditioning, radio, everything else functioned as if the car were on and running however, i couldn't start the vehicle and the push button did not generate any response from the vehicle. Opening and shutting the door did not work, getting out and locking the car did not do anything. It was just like when a desktop computer freezes with the screen still functioning. This is the third time it has happened, the first 2 times it was 1. In a store parking lot 2. In my garage. 3. Today it happened as I was trying to leave the house, in my garage again. Each time, letting off the clutch too soon is what caused the car to behave this way. The first time I sat in the parking lot for about 15 minutes, same with the second time. This time I made sure to look at a clock and it happened at 10:50 am CST, it is 11:21 am CST currently and still no response from the car, it will not turn on. My safety so far has not been a concern as I was in a parking lot or garage each time this has happened but if this happens in traffic or in an intersection, it will be deadly. It will kill people both myself and other motorists. I have slipped off of the clutch before in this vehicle and this malfunction does not happen each time. It is sporadic. I don't know why it happens only sometimes. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or any other people. The first occurrences have been in the month of June 2023. There were no other warning lamps on to indicate any problems. The dash lights, air, etc remain on after it happens just like when you switch the car to the "Accessories" position however the engine will not Crank.

7/4/2023

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

2 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Infotaiment system goes to a blank screen periodicaly. Sound frm radio works but screen is balnk, no way to reset. Wifi updates are up to date. Whenthis happens it disables the eye sight camera causes a safety concern with automatic branking/collision. When the car sits overnight, then the next day it seems to go back to normal. This has happened 4 times already in the 2 months I have oened this vechicle.

2/5/2023

During driving, especially when it is cold outside, the Subaru Eyesight Pre-Collision system (automatic emergency braking) can be triggered by exhaust smoke from a vehicle in front of it. The braking system can be falsely activated, which could cause your vehicle to be hit from behind. There is no way to adjust the sensitivity of this system. It is only meant to be activated by objects, but since the system is camera-based it might think that a large cloud of exhaust is actually solid. In the specific instance when this happened, I was waiting at a red light behind a GMC Acadia. When the light turned green, a lot of exhaust came from that car, and the pre-collision braking was activated, causing the car to activate the brakes very abruptly. At the next light, the same thing happened, but the car didn't hit the brakes that time since I lifted off the accelerator, but the warning buzzer still activated. Video showing the problem: [XXX] The loud grinding noise after the pre-collision warning beeps is the sound of the brakes when they are applied by pre-collision. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Pre-collision prevention How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle can stop unexpectedly which could cause a rear-end collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1/7/2025

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

2 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Infotaiment system goes to a blank screen periodicaly. Sound frm radio works but screen is balnk, no way to reset. Wifi updates are up to date. Whenthis happens it disables the eye sight camera causes a safety concern with automatic branking/collision. When the car sits overnight, then the next day it seems to go back to normal. This has happened 4 times already in the 2 months I have oened this vechicle.

2/5/2023

During driving, especially when it is cold outside, the Subaru Eyesight Pre-Collision system (automatic emergency braking) can be triggered by exhaust smoke from a vehicle in front of it. The braking system can be falsely activated, which could cause your vehicle to be hit from behind. There is no way to adjust the sensitivity of this system. It is only meant to be activated by objects, but since the system is camera-based it might think that a large cloud of exhaust is actually solid. In the specific instance when this happened, I was waiting at a red light behind a GMC Acadia. When the light turned green, a lot of exhaust came from that car, and the pre-collision braking was activated, causing the car to activate the brakes very abruptly. At the next light, the same thing happened, but the car didn't hit the brakes that time since I lifted off the accelerator, but the warning buzzer still activated. Video showing the problem: [XXX] The loud grinding noise after the pre-collision warning beeps is the sound of the brakes when they are applied by pre-collision. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Pre-collision prevention How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle can stop unexpectedly which could cause a rear-end collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1/7/2025

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Car has some type of black silicone inside oil pan. Inside upper pan as well. Also has clogged a screen that oil passed through. I have seen many people online do this pan drop time and time again and still having big chunks blocking its path to engine. I’m afraid of oil deprivation. This with ultimately destroy the entire motor. This could lead to serious injury or death if the motor suddenly goes. I believe this needs to be looked into to help prevent this. More of these 2022 Subaru wrxs being manufactured in this manner could ultimately destroy a 30,000$ vehicle and lead to crashing out unexpectedly. My phone number is [XXX] thank you for your time. ,[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

3/3/2023

AIR BAGS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front-end collision; however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that there were no illuminating lights. The contact stated that his wife sustained no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, and the mechanic stated that the air bag sensors were installed incorrectly. The contact stated that the vehicle was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,800.

6/12/2023

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My son moved my car onto the driveway, stopped it with the foot brake with the manual transmission in neutral. The hill assist was activated, so when he got out of the car the brake held long enough for him to get out of the car and walk away before the brake released, about 2 seconds. The car then rolled down the driveway into a tree. This could have been a disaster if the tree wasn’t there to stop the driverless vehicle.

5/9/2024

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Hood vibration (visual) when driving and going over minor bumps.

7/22/2024

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 2022 Subaru WRX?

The most reported complaint category for the 2022 Subaru WRX is ENGINE, with 15 owner reports. That is about 50% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2022 Subaru WRX a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 20 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 2022 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 2022 Subaru WRX severe?

20 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
30
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

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

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