Subaru WRX Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Factory brake system is weak to slow down. The tree on the road stopped my car faster than the brakes did. Many videos and internet posts document this. Quick google search will provide a lot of information. Many owners with money upgrade calipers from tr model Amazon reviews purchasing brake pads provides stopping power. Subaru knows this and did it with 2007 wrx

Complaint Summary: I am filing a complaint regarding a potentially defective A/C compressor that is producing abnormal noise and may indicate premature failure. Description of Issue: My vehicle’s A/C compressor produces a loud, rhythmic “chugging” or knocking noise at idle when the A/C system is off. The noise is excessive and not consistent with normal operation. When the A/C is turned on, the noise changes but remains abnormally loud. Based on my experience and comparison to other similar vehicles, this is not normal behavior. A comparable 2024 Subaru WRX does not exhibit this issue, and many other 2022 WRX owners have reported similar symptoms. Safety Concern: This is not just a noise concern—it may indicate internal compressor failure or premature wear. The A/C compressor in this vehicle is part of a continuously driven system (no traditional clutch), meaning it is always engaged via the serpentine belt. If the compressor were to fail internally, it could: •Seize or bind, potentially damaging or breaking the serpentine belt •Lead to sudden loss of power steering assist (if belt-driven) •Cause loss of alternator function (battery charging failure) •Result in engine overheating if the water pump is belt-driven •Leave the vehicle stranded unexpectedly This presents a potential safety risk, especially if failure occurs while driving. Additional Context: Subaru has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for a similar A/C compressor issue in another model using a comparable design, which includes replacement procedures for certain serial number ranges. Despite this, Subaru has not acknowledged the issue for the WRX, even though there are numerous owner reports of the same symptoms. Conclusion: The abnormal noise suggests a potential defect that could lead to premature failure and safety-related consequences. I am requesting that this issue be investigated for possible defects in design or manufacturing affecting the A/C compressor in the 2022 Subar

On February 3, 2026, while driving approximately 80 mph on Interstate 10, the manual transmission shifter bypassed the 6th gear detent entirely and moved toward the reverse gear position, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard. I prevented full reverse engagement only through physical intervention. Had the transmission engaged reverse at 80 mph, catastrophic drivetrain damage and loss of vehicle control would have resulted. The vehicle was taken to El Paso Subaru for a Subaru-authorized inspection on February 9, 2026. As of March 18, 2026 (37+ days), the transmission remains disassembled. A Subaru corporate engineer inspected the vehicle but the report has not been shared with me. The vehicle maintenance app confirms the car was last moved March 12 and has been sitting idle since. Subaru is pursuing a warranty denial based on aftermarket modifications without demonstrating specific causation as required under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Subaru Case #260204-2202126.

I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older Subaru of the person who collided with me went off and mine did not. Surprisingly. My head was slammed against the B pillar and a small bruise on my leg. Insurance is saying my car is totaled. With an accident of that magnitude, my air bags should have deployed. If I was going any faster, I most likely wouldn't be here typing this message. This is a serious concern of mine. I have 0 interest getting back into another Subaru which Consumer Reports quotes as being the safest, most reliable brand.

The component failing is the side skirts or, as officially described in the Subaru parts diagram, the „Side Spoiler“. It can also be found as part numbers 96051, and 96051A. It can be easily visually inspected. This puts others at risk because it may end up dragging on the road, or falling off entirely which poses a major safety risk to other drivers because it is a piece of plastic nearly the length of the entire wheelbase. After talking with other owners, they have had the same issue, and in my case I had the issue a few months after purchasing the car. Then when the rear of the car was replaced and fixed due to an accident, they fixed this issue, but it came back a month after being repaired. I do not know if it has been inspected by Subaru or police or insurance, but they may see it as a recurring issue. There were know warning lamps or messages. I only noticed when inspecting my car before use or while washing it.

A SiriusXM advertisement popping up over navigation on the infotainment screen distracting the driver from focusing on the road. It covers any navigation on the infotainment screen and takes the eyes of the driver off the road, where the driver is no longer aware of the position of their vehicle. Many other Subaru owners with more modern vehicles have had this same problem. This is not a one time issue. It happens suddenly and unexpectedly. Other owners of a modern Subaru vehicle have reported this issue to the dealership and were told they cannot do anything about it.

My vehicle has a hand brake built into the vehicle and at 25,000 miles my hand brake started to fail and wouldn’t hold the car in place. I had it repaired under warranty and the whole emergency/handbrake assembly was replaced, I looked at it and tested it before I left the dealership and noticed the same issue, I brought it up to the dealership and they noticed the same issue also after testing it again themselves, and they also stated there were other vehicles of the same model with less miles having the same issue and also said it could possibly be a recall. I drive a car with a manual transmission so the hand/emergency brake is what parks and holds the vehicle in place. I originally took it there because my handbrake was no longer holding my car in place to avoid hitting other vehicles especially being parked on an incline or decline.

On 12/3/2025 at approximately 9:46 am, I was driving at about 30 mph when a SiriusXM advertisement suddenly appeared on the infotainment screen. The pop-up took over the entire display and required manual dismissal to regain access to navigation and audio controls. This interruption forced me to divert my eyes and hand from the road. I have video evidence showing the ad appearing while the car was actively moving but can only attach a screenshot in this report. This poses a significant safety risk, especially at highway speeds or in poor weather conditions. Other Subaru owners have reported similar issues, indicating this may be a widespread software or UX defect. I am submitting this complaint to request investigation into whether Subaru’s infotainment system violates safety-critical UI standards by permitting advertisements to display while the vehicle is in motion.

While driving a full screen advertisement for SirusXM takes over the entire screen on your infotainment system. You must select to close or accept the sales offer to close the advertisement and have access to the controls or navigation on your infotainment screen. This is a dangerous distraction as you are driving to have something take over the display and then it shows as a sales ad.

On Dec 4 around 6pm driving in Chicago area. Weather has been very bad, with snow and extreme cold, leaving roadways and especially alleyways (as they do not receive regular city plow/salt) covered in snow and ice. While creeping over hardpacked snow and ice down an alleyway to access my apartment parking area, the dashboard screen suddenly came on in order to display an ad for SiriusXM. I keep the dashboard screen off specifically because I find it extremely distracting, even when static. When it came on suddenly, I experienced a crisis response, slamming on the brakes, resulting in slide forward and to the side. In this instance, I was fortunate not to hit anything or have anything further occur, but it could easily have been very different. Why can an ad server turn this screen on when closed by the owner? Why can it serve ads in private vehicles at all? I attempted to contact the dealer regarding this and they placed me on hold and eventually hung up on me. I have scheduled an appointment with legal counsel to discuss my further options.

While driving, I get a pop-up ad Sirius XM. It is beyond annoying, invasive and possibly dangerous. This shouldn't be allowed and there should be regulations against ads preventing distracted driving.

Sirius XM advertisement took over driver infotainment system while driving casuong a significant distraction in driver attention. Infotainment system handles some car functions such as climate control, navigation, and relays information for eyesight system to other modules of the vehicle. There have been other complaints from drivers. The sudden change in display locks drivers out of climate control and other functions until advertisement is acknowledged.