Subaru · WRX · 2020
2020 Subaru WRX
1
Recall
17
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Subaru WRX has 1 recall and 17 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Subaru WRX page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 4 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Subaru WRX currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 17 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are electrical system (4), visibility/wiper (3), unknown or other (2).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Subaru WRX
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 17
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V522000July 21, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
Owner Complaints
17 totalPOWER TRAIN,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Oct 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into neutral (N), the instrument panel displayed that the transmission was shifted in reverse (R), and the rearview camera image was displayed. The check engine warning light was illumi...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 10, 2025
The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching
POWER TRAIN
Aug 23, 2024
2020 WRX: TR690 (CVT) transmission that the car came equipped with, began leaking between the engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noticed during an oil change at 71686 miles but not identified as (CVT) transmission fluid immediately, it was cleaned and assumed to be oil spill....
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ENGINE
Aug 3, 2024
I purchased the vehicle used with 33800 miles and at 34100 the engine stalled and was hard to start, once started it was knocking severely. I have seen a class action law suit based on the same issues but the 2020 model year is not included
SEAT BELTS
Jul 30, 2024
Rear passenger seatbelts fraying. My two children are sitting in the back seat, there is no warning that my seatbelts were frayed putting their life at risk! Took the car to the dealership to have them check what is going on with the seatbelt mechanism, they said “there is no mec...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 6, 2024
Parasitic battery problem My car battery keeps dying on my Subaru sti 2020 after one day of not driving. I have had the car checked with Subaru dealership and a local shop but no issues were found. This morning I had to get my car jumped again after not driving it for one day. Th...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru WRX. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
May 23, 2022
Battery drainage occurring often. I have been left stranded at night time in unsafe areas. The car was taken to the dealer twice and both times the battery has been “recharge”. I”ve had the car for less than 3 years. No symptoms occur before this happens. This seems to happen wh...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
May 17, 2022
Have had this car since late 2019 around November and it is now 2022 and I'm at 25k miles in my battery is already failing I have had it tested and the cold cranking amps are why below where they should be causing the car not be able to start at time . I've had other car batteri...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jan 30, 2022
The vehicle seems to randomly die and bog out then all of the lights appear on the dash, I myself had to pay out of pocket for a new battery because autonation subaru arapahoe in colorado decided not to check it like I had asked and after getting my car back the issue was still t...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 17 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru WRX Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Subaru WRX have?
The 2020 Subaru WRX has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA has received 17 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Subaru WRX.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Subaru WRX?
The 2020 Subaru WRX received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru WRX?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Subaru WRX are electrical system (4 reports), visibility/wiper (3 reports), unknown or other (2 reports).
Does the 2020 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2020 Subaru WRX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.