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2015 Subaru WRX: Recalls and Reported Problems

Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.

By VIN Lookup Research DeskPublished 2026-08-27Reviewed 2026-09-11United States
NHTSA dataModel-year data describes the production run, not the car in front of you.

Two identical WRXs can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.

Direct answer

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 Subaru WRX, alongside 52 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about engine. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.

2015 Subaru WRX at a glance

3NHTSA safety recallsCampaigns covering this model year
52Owner complaintsFiled with NHTSA, unverified

What owners report most

These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2015 Subaru WRX. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.

Most-reported systems, 2015 Subaru WRX (NHTSA complaints)
Vehicle systemComplaints
Engine18
Power Train18
Electrical System6
Exterior Lighting5
Fuel/propulsion System5
Unknown Or Other5

Recall campaigns for the 2015 Subaru WRX

Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.

NHTSA recall campaigns recorded for the 2015 Subaru WRX
CampaignComponentIssue
22V522000EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCHSubaru 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.
17V625000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 WRX and WRX/STI vehicles, equipped with an optional factory-installed subwoofer in the trunk. Items in the trunk may cause the subwoofer wiring to contact the subwoofer metal frame, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
16V162000ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGERSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

How to check one specific WRX

  1. Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
  2. Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
  3. Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
  4. Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
  5. Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.

What this data cannot tell you

  • Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
  • Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
  • How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
  • Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Evidence

Primary sources behind this page

Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.

  1. Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  2. NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  3. NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  4. Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Quick answers

2015 Subaru WRX questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2015 Subaru WRX as of 2026-09-11. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.

What are the most common 2015 Subaru WRX problems?

Owners most often report engine, power train, electrical system issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.

Can I check recalls on a specific 2015 Subaru WRX VIN?

Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.