The Most Complained About Subaru WRX Model Years
The Subaru WRX is a rally-bred sedan that first came to our shores in 2002. Since then, Subaru has evolved the punchy four-door by giving more tech-savvy features, a stronger engine, and a more agile suspension with each model change – not to mention different aesthetics. But with all of these changes, issues are bound to pop up, especially when new generations of a car come out. As such, here are the most complained about Subaru WRX model years.
2009 Subaru WRX
According to CarComplaints.com, a site where owners post their complaints about their cars, the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX received the most complaints from any other model year with the “Impreza” moniker. The issue cited with the most complaints falls under the “clutch” category, wherein a few owners complained about “difficulty shifting,” a popping noise from the clutch, and the “pedal welds falling off.”
Despite the 2009 model having the most complaints, the website listed the 2014 Impreza WRX as the “worst model year,” citing its engine problems as the main culprit. In that category, two owners listed engine failure as the main problem. One owner said one of the cylinders failed in their engine, and it needed a complete replacement, which cost $7,200 AUD. The owner said that their car’s engine stalled while driving, and it needed to be replaced as well. Fortunately, that one was covered under warranty.
2015 Subaru WRX
The 2015 Subaru WRX is the model year with the most complaints. On CarComplaints.com, the 2015 WRX received 41 complaints from real-world owners. From that number, 23 of them were for “clutch problems,” mainly concerning a bad clutch or flywheel.
Many of the owners reported “clicking” or a “jumpiness” in first or second gear. In nearly every case, the car needed to be towed, and in some cases, the clutch was fixed under warranty. It should be noted that if you’re shopping for a 2015 model, there’s a high chance that there won’t be a powertrain warranty associated with it, so the cost for a clutch repair could come out of pocket.
What are the most common Subaru WRX problems?
If you’re shopping for a used Subaru WRX, there are some common problems to be aware of. Subaru Complaints lists the following issues as being the most common:
- A parasitic drain on the battery: Many owners complained about their Subarus not starting in the morning due to dead batteries. The main issue is the battery not being to handle the parasitic drain from the system.
- Lineartronic CVT issues: Some owners have complained about hesitation and sometimes even engine stalling when the car is equipped with a CVT.
- Rodents chewing on wires: The wires in Subaru vehicles are coated with a soy-derived material that is apparently tasty to rodents like mice and rats.
- Subaru EyeSight problems: Subaru’s EyeSight system consists of a camera system at the top of the windshield, which “sees” the road ahead and works with the car’s adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems. Unfortunately, it’s been known to fall asleep on the job and be faulty in some cars.
Subaru has produced the WRX for the last 20 years and continues to improve the rally-bred model with each new generation. If you’re shopping for a used one, it could be a good idea to avoid the 2009, 2014, and 2015 models altogether. However, if you must buy one, make sure to have it inspected before signing the contract.
