2015 Subaru Wrx Safety Report

The 2015 Subaru WRX presents a mixed safety picture, with a notable number of owner complaints despite a lack of specific NHTSA crash test ratings. With 52 total complaints, including 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury, there are clear areas of concern. The most frequently reported issues revolve around the POWER TRAIN (11 complaints) and ENGINE (10 complaints), often describing severe failures like rod knock, blown head gaskets, and complete engine stalls. This suggests potential underlying mechanical vulnerabilities that owners are experiencing. Recall history for the 2015 WRX includes three significant campaigns. One recall addresses an electrical system issue where subwoofer wiring could short and potentially cause a fire, directly linked to the 1 fire complaint. Another recall targets the engine, specifically turbo/supercharger components, which could lead to an engine stall and increase crash risk. The third recall concerns exterior lighting, where a corroded backup light switch could render backup lights and the rearview camera inoperative, increasing crash risk. These recalls align with some of the reported issues, indicating Subaru has acknowledged and attempted to mitigate certain safety defects. Despite the absence of specific NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A), the vehicle's complaint data highlights critical mechanical and electrical failures that could compromise safety. The high incidence of power train and engine issues, including stalls and complete failures, is particularly concerning. While recalls have been issued, the ongoing volume of complaints suggests that some issues may persist or new ones are emerging. Prospective buyers should be aware of these documented mechanical vulnerabilities and the potential for serious component failures.

Our recommendation: Given the high number of severe engine and power train complaints, and multiple safety recalls, a pre-purchase inspection by a Subaru specialist is highly recommended, focusing on engine health and transmission integrity, and ensuring all recalls have been addressed.