2020 SUBARU WRX

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2020 Subaru WRX presents a reliable choice, though it has a recall related to the backup light switch which could affect visibility when reversing. The average failure mileage indicates that potential issues may arise within the first few years of ownership, warranting vigilance.

Key Factor:Backup light switch recall

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

Safety in vehicles is paramount, particularly for families with children seated in the back. The recall concerning the backup light switch on the 2020 Subaru WRX means that drivers may face challenges in safely reversing their vehicle due to inadequate visibility. This risk heightens the importance of ensuring that all safety systems are functional, especially when transporting young passengers who rely on proper safety measures.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
πŸ“Š

Expert Analysis

Overall, the safety trend for the 2020 Subaru WRX shows some concern due to a recent recall that could potentially affect fundamental visibility while reversing. Although Subaru has a reputation for reliability, this particular issue calls for cautious attention from both current owners and prospective buyers.

Safety & Reliability Score

91/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-0.85
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 SUBARU WRX

Model Year2020
MakeSUBARU
ModelWRX
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Dec19
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

5 complaints (29% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 17 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟑Medium
2(12%)
🟒Low
15(88%)
βœ…Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

The peak failure range of 20k-40k miles suggests that owners should be particularly proactive about maintenance and inspection during these early years of ownership. Given that many issues reported occur within this mileage window, it is vital to stay alert for any signs of malfunction or recalls.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 7 of 17 complaints (41% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (29%)
20k-40k
4 reports (57%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
1 reports (14%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Backup Light Switch

Issue: Corrosion may cause backup lights and rearview camera to fail, affecting visibility when reversing.

βœ…

Immediate inspection of backup lights functionality is essential.

πŸ”

Ensure any previous recalls have been addressed and confirm operational status of reverse lights before purchasing.

Campaign:21V016000
πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your SUBARU dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 22V522000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

Summary

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.

Consequence

Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

17 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 WRX.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Battery29%
Warning18%
Display12%
Crack12%
Check Engine Light6%
Leak6%
Stall6%
Acceleration Issues6%
Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

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 illuminated. The contact shifted the transmission to drive (D), but the instrument panel displayed that the transmission was still in reverse (R), and the rearview camera was displayed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN

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. Another oil change was done at 77576 miles, and the (CVT) transmission was leaking between engine and (CVT) transmission, it was noted before the oil was even drained. I looked up recalls from NHTSA and found none. Then looked at Subaru Service Bulletins and found Service Bulletin 16-103-16 that only covers 2015 MY through 2019 MY WRX with (CVT) transmission leaking at front pump/chain cover between the engine and (CVT) transmission. The coverage of the Service Bulletin extended the (CVT) transmission warranty to 10 years 100,000 miles, and my vehicle is within the current requirements to receive repairs with only 79000 miles, but is not listed because it is a 2020 WRX, the modle of WRX with the TR690 (CVT) transmission ran from 2015 MY through 2021 MY. My vehicle is also registered through My Subaru app and the Service Bulletins/Service Campaign page says no SBs or SCs are available, help is appreciated, thank you.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. This battery was purchased brand new on nov 2024.At this point I am not sure what to do. I don’t want to keep changing batteries every 3 months. Already contacted Subaru America and they have asked me to go back to the dealership and have them provide a diagnostic assessment.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
ENGINE

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

Safety SystemsπŸ”΅ Low
SEAT BELTS

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 β€œthere is no mechanical issue, therefore it is not under warranty.”

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 that telematics control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 β€œrecharge”. I”ve had the car for less than 3 years. No symptoms occur before this happens. This seems to happen when the car has not need moved for more than a day.

ElectricalπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 batteries that lasted long than 2 and a half years.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 there which is why I replaced it today. not only this but they sold me a highly modified vehicle without disclosing any of that info to me in the sale process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about the safety features of the 2020 Subaru WRX?

The 2020 Subaru WRX comes equipped with several advanced safety features; however, it's important to note that it has a recall regarding the backup light switch which may hinder visibility while reversing. Ensuring these features are fully functional is crucial for maintaining safety standards, especially when transporting children.

How does the warranty cover recalls for the WRX?

'Subaru typically offers comprehensive warranties that include coverage for any necessary repairs related to recalls. If you purchase a used WRX, checking whether prior owners have addressed any outstanding recalls will provide peace of mind regarding your vehicle's reliability.'

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

πŸ”‘

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official SUBARU records to ensure no 1 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in SUBARU's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
πŸ›’

If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific WRX year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.