2020 Subaru Wrx Safety Report
2020 SUBARU WRX Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Subaru Wrx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (17) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Subaru Wrx with 6 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Subaru Wrx before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Wrx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Wrx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Wrx | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Subaru Wrx | 27 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Wrx | 22 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Subaru Wrx | 40 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Subaru Wrx | 6 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Subaru Wrx | 51 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Subaru Wrx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Subaru Wrx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyVisibility/Wiper
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyPower Train,Engine,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine,Back Over Prevention issues Subaru onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Subaru onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
Reliability Score
The 2020 Subaru Wrx receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Wrx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Drainage Frequent battery drainage issues have been reported, leading to potential roadside assistance needs. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Leaks Transmission leaks have been reported, which can lead to sudden vehicle failure and require immediate attention. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Failures Issues with the backup light switch and head unit delamination have been reported, affecting visibility and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Fraying Rear passenger seat belts have been reported to fray, posing a safety risk to passengers. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Subaru Wrx:
Frequent battery drainage issues have been reported, leading to potential roadside assistance needs.
Transmission leaks have been reported, which can lead to sudden vehicle failure and require immediate attention.
Issues with the backup light switch and head unit delamination have been reported, affecting visibility and safety.
Rear passenger seat belts have been reported to fray, posing a safety risk to passengers.
Recall Details for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Subaru Wrx by NHTSA:
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Subaru Wrx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Subaru Wrx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 s...
The head unit started to delaminate and ghost touching
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) transmissio...
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 ba...
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
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 mechanical issue, therefore it is not under warranty.”
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...
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 when the car has not need moved for more than a day.
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.
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 o...
Got in the car to drive to work and the front windshield just cracked on its own with nothing hitting it.
I have owned the car for ~15 months and driven it for 2500 miles. The battery has failed four times. Each time Subaru has replaced the battery under warranty and told me that nothing is wrong and that the car simply needs to be driven more. I now see that this is a systemic problem for Subarus (e.g. https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-battery-drain-lawsuit-new-claims-now-include-forester-wrx...
UPON APPLYING PARKING BRAKE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE, WHICH IS BEYOND 11 CLICKS AS STATED AS REQUIRED BY SUBARU, AND THE VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE GREATER THAN 8 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN IN PLACE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THE BRAKE IS REQUIRED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IT WILL NOT EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE WHEELS ARE STILL ALLOWED TO TURN MORE FREELY THAN EXPECTED G...
SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT, A LOUD POP OCCURS AND WHEN I LOOK BACK, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR WINDSHIELD. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES TALL AND AT LEAST 18 INCHES WIDE. IT WAS LIKELY AN IMPLOSION. NO OBJECTS WERE FOUND NEAR, ON, OR IN THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD CRUMBLED AFTER THAT, AS EACH ACCELERATION DROPPED MORE GLASS INSIDE THE CAR. NOTHING PROMPTED IT, JUST SITTING STATIONARY AT A ST...
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CAR WAS STATIONARY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE SON WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, RUNNING A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A LIGHT POST, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT STATED FIVE DAYS PRIOR HE...
I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2020 SUBARU WRX LIMITED. I HAVE LEARNED BY INSPECTION THAT THE STANDARD OEM TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE IS A DUNLOP SPORT MAX RT. THIS IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRE. THIS CLASS OF TIRE IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO BE USED IN VERY COLD WEATHER AND ESPECIALLY ON ICE AND SNOW. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED SUCH TIRES AND THEY ARE TERRIFYING ON ICE, THAT IS, DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN A AREA OF ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Subaru Wrx
Has the 2020 SUBARU WRX been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 SUBARU WRX has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 SUBARU WRX have?
The 2020 SUBARU WRX has 17 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
The 2020 SUBARU WRX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 SUBARU WRX involve electrical system (4 complaints), visibility/wiper (3 complaints), unknown or other (2 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine,back over prevention, power train, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2020 SUBARU WRX have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2020 SUBARU WRX out of 17 total complaints (5.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 SUBARU WRX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 SUBARU WRX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU WRX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU WRX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 SUBARU WRX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 SUBARU WRX is generally recommended. It has 17 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 SUBARU WRX are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 SUBARU WRX?
Be aware of potential electrical system and transmission issues, and regularly check the condition of seat belts and battery health. The 2020 SUBARU WRX has 17 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
The 2020 SUBARU WRX receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 17 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Battery Drainage and Transmission Leaks.
What are the known issues with the 2020 SUBARU WRX?
Known issues with the 2020 SUBARU WRX include: Battery Drainage, Transmission Leaks, Electrical System Failures, Seat Belt Fraying. These are based on patterns found across 17 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known issues with the 2020 Subaru WRX?
Yes, there are known issues with the electrical system, transmission, and battery drainage.
What should I do if I notice transmission leaks?
Take your vehicle to a professional mechanic for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible.
How can I prevent seat belt fraying?
Regularly inspect seat belts for fraying and replace them if necessary.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical system and transmission issues, and regularly check the condition of seat belts and battery health.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Subaru Wrx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Subaru Wrx. The data includes 17 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Subaru Wrx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16