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2012 Subaru WRXProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2012 Subaru WRX, most often about the engine. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls12Lowest repair rate 45%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage56kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 2, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Subaru WRX has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine10
Power train10
Steering10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

12 recalls

2012 Subaru WRX recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

73%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-002 · Jan 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles · 93,276 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

82%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-001 · Jan 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles · 212,286 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

69%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-003 · Jan 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles · 76,616 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 8 more recalls
76%repaired · 2020 Q3

Brake lights: switch

Recall 19V-149 · Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles · 993,791 repaired

Risk. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-009 · Jan 9, 2019 · 452,630 vehicles · 404,993 repaired

Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-007 · Jan 9, 2019 · 43,394 vehicles · 39,772 repaired

Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

89%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-008 · Jan 9, 2019 · 330,120 vehicles · 294,036 repaired

Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

92%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 18V-012 · Jan 9, 2018 · 64,179 vehicles · 59,344 repaired

Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

94%repaired · 2023 Q1

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-014 · Jan 10, 2017 · 53,480 vehicles · 50,046 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

79%repaired · 2016 Q2

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 14V-830 · Dec 31, 2014 · 200,064 vehicles · 158,768 repaired

Risk. Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

45%repaired · 2015 Q4

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 14V-311 · Jun 10, 2014 · 461,338 vehicles · 206,870 repaired

Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Best & worst years

2012 vs. every other WRX year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the WRX median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What WRX owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAD CHECKED MY OIL ABOUT A WEEK PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING. I WAS OUT ON THE INTERSTATE ON MY WAY TO GET MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME ALL OF MY FULL…
Complaint 11078988 · Mar 13, 2018 · 56,000 miles

Own a 2012 WRX?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.