2020 Subaru Wrx: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2020 Subaru Wrx? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 17 complaints, with Electrical Faults as the top reported area.
2020 Subaru Wrx Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2020 Subaru Wrx trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2020 Subaru Wrx Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2020 Subaru Wrx has 17 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Wrx
- Model year
- 2020
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 17
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 24
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2020 Subaru Wrx Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Engine Problems
Visibility/Wiper
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Engine Problems, Visibility/Wiper. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2020 Subaru Wrx?
The 2020 Subaru Wrx shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2020 Subaru Wrx
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of faults.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and visibility/wiper components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported areas.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the electrical system, including battery, alternator, and wiring, for any signs of faults.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and visibility/wiper components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported areas.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2020 Subaru Wrx, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Subaru WRX, issues appear concentrated in electrical faults, engine problems, and visibility/wiper components. There is one recall and one crash-related complaint, but the low sample size limits confidence in broader trends.
- Electrical faults account for the highest number of complaints (5) among the 2020 model year.
- Engine problems and visibility/wiper issues each have 3 complaints, suggesting potential areas of concern.
- Only one crash-related complaint was reported, indicating a low rate of safety incidents in this data.
- Electrical faults are the most frequently reported component issue.
- Engine problems are the second most common complaint category.
- Visibility/wiper issues also appear as a recurring theme.
All 2020 Subaru Wrx Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Wrx. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Subaru Wrx. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 illumi…
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.…
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. Th…
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 mec…
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…
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 wh…
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 batteri…
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 t…
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 pr…
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…
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 …
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…
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 I…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Wrx.
2020 Subaru Wrx Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Subaru Wrx. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2020 Subaru Wrx Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2020 Subaru Wrx reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 17 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2020 Subaru Wrx shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Wrx?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (5 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (3 complaints). #3: Visibility/Wiper (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Subaru Wrx?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2020 Subaru Wrx?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2020 Subaru Wrx, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 17 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2020 Subaru Wrx have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2020 Subaru Wrx. A major recall area is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2020 Subaru Wrx?▾
The 2020 Subaru Wrx shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Wrx reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2020 Subaru Wrx based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.