A detailed lemon law guide for Subaru WRX owners covering common defects, recalls, TSBs, litigation, and how to pursue a buyback or repair remedy.
Model years covered: 2015-2023
The Subaru WRX is an enthusiast favorite — praised for its turbocharged boxer engine, all-wheel drive grip, and rally-bred handling. Over the last decade, however, a subset of WRX owners has reported recurring mechanical and electronic problems that can be expensive, safety-related, and disruptive. While many WRXs deliver decades of trouble-free ownership, specific model years and powertrain combinations have produced concentrated complaints about premature engine failure, excessive oil consumption, turbo and transmission trouble, and infotainment/electrical faults.
This guide focuses on the model years most commonly associated with those problems (roughly 2015–2023), summarizes technical details that owners and their repair shops cite in diagnostics, and explains how recalls, Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), and consumer litigation have addressed—or failed to fully resolve—those issues. If your WRX is repeatedly in the shop for the same serious defect, this guide explains what documentation to gather, how state lemon laws typically apply (with notes for California, Texas and Florida), and what outcomes owners commonly obtain, from engine replacement to vehicle repurchase.
Total recalls: 7
Subaru's WRX has been included in several manufacturer recalls over the last decade. The largest and most widely publicized was the Takata airbag inflator recall that affected many Subaru models across multiple years; inflators were replaced as part of the national remedy program. Other WRX-specific recalls included rearview camera systems to meet compliance standards and software updates or wiring harness corrections tied to stalling or fuel system concerns. While some recalls addressed safety-critical items (airbags, potential fire risks from wiring/fuel issues), many engine- and drivetrain-related complaints were managed through dealer repairs, TSBs, or warranty extensions rather than broad safety recalls.
View all Subaru recalls and NHTSA safety alerts
Subaru dealers have used Technical Service Bulletins to provide diagnosis and repair procedures for recurring WRX problems. TSBs commonly cover aggressive oil consumption diagnosis, recommended inspection and replacement criteria for pistons/piston rings in affected FA20 engines, turbocharger actuator replacement/reprogramming, clutch replacement guidance, and Starlink infotainment software updates. TSB remedies vary: some authorize full engine replacement under warranty coverage, others outline interim fixes or monitoring procedures. TSBs are not recalls and do not require a free remedy for owners out of warranty, but they guide dealers on common failure modes and approved repairs.
There have been multiple consumer lawsuits and at least one class-action-style complaint focused on FA20 engine failures and alleged design/manufacturing defects in certain WRX model years. Plaintiffs have alleged that Subaru knew about ring-land and oil-consumption problems and that dealer repairs did not permanently cure the defect. Some cases resulted in settlements or partial remedies (engine replacements, extended warranties) for eligible owners; others were resolved through lemon law claims on a state-by-state basis. Outcomes have varied by jurisdiction, with stronger remedies in states with robust lemon laws (like California).
Check how your state defines a 'reasonable number' of repair attempts and the out-of-service threshold (commonly 3–4 attempts or 30 days). Document every dealer visit, get detailed repair orders, and preserve correspondence. If your WRX has repeated failures of the same serious defect (for example, repeated engine repairs for oil consumption or piston damage), you likely have grounds for a lemon law claim in many states.
Keep all repair orders, invoices, loaner car records, inspection reports, warranty paperwork, and a vehicle-use log showing dates out of service. Note symptoms observed, any dealer diagnoses, and communications with Subaru or the dealer. Photos or videos of symptoms (smoke, oil leaks, dashboard lights) help establish the defect's severity.
Outcomes vary. Many owners obtain a buyback (repurchase) when the defect is persistent and not repairable within a reasonable number of attempts, especially under strong state lemon laws. Other remedies include a replacement vehicle, full engine replacement, or a cash settlement. The result depends on the defect, warranty status, repair history, and state law.
Modifications that are shown to cause or materially contribute to a failure can complicate or disqualify a lemon law claim. However, if the failure is due to an underlying manufacturing defect and not the modification, you may still have a claim. Keep records of factory condition and be prepared to demonstrate that repairs and diagnostics point to a design/manufacturing problem rather than aftermarket alterations.