Skip to content
Subaru WRXModel year report

2006 Subaru WRX Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,870miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and engine cooling (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 31% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,870 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Started my 2006 Subaru WRX this morning in 5 degree temp, and there is an extremely strong smell of gasoline in the cabin. I have a short drive to work, but the smell stayed strong for a good 10mins.”

NHTSA complaint #10558747, filed 2014-01, 60,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “While traveling down a major highway in fifth gear my car engine began to rev and the instrument panel was at 6,000rpms. I attempted to slow the car and make it to an exit ramp, but the clutch would not disengage. I pulled the car off the side of the highway and it stalled out. I had the car towed to fairway Subaru where I was told many different excuses that were all driver related. I was told that the clutch disintegrated under extreme heat from revving the engine. The clutch was taken apart and there were no heat spots. …”

NHTSA complaint #10220248, filed 2008-03, 22,100 miles

Engine cooling: “1. Oil light flickers on and then stays on at idle or under low rev's 2. The failure is the oil pick up line resulting in a cracked line and damaged engine. 3. Usually damage is sufficient to warrant a replaced long block and turbo from manufacturer. However no sufficient replacement is made about part prone to failure even with a new engine.”

NHTSA complaint #10290490, filed 2009-11, 46,293 miles

Engine: “The secondary air injection pump failed to turn off and nearly caught fire. Subaru has recalled this part and the related relay switch for 2008-14 imprezas, but this problem also exists with 2006 imprezas. My mechanic says this is very common failure point for my model.”

NHTSA complaint #11193386, filed 2019-04, 124,642 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

31% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 46,293 and 104,500 miles.

0%0–1015%10–2515%25–5023%50–750%75–10046%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,870 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200620084200920112012201420152019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Subaru WRX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru WRX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024141500522—Too new
20239—1522—Too new
20222519,800152256 · TypicalRising
202113—1521—Not enough data
2020189,6001521—Stable
20193027,2502—2133 · FewerFalling
20184314,5002—2164 · TypicalStable
20175336,0001—2149 · TypicalFalling
20163125,0003—2151 · TypicalFalling
20155231,2503—2165 · MoreFalling
2014634,00010———Not enough data
2013710,50011———Not enough data
20094171,32710——0 · FewerStable
20086580,0007——0 · FewerStable
20061466,8703———Not enough data
20051948,0004———Stable
20044269,9904——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20036023,8001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200242740,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2006 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Subaru WRX is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.

Has the 2006 Subaru WRX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Subaru WRX reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,870 miles and the middle half falls between 46,293 and 104,500 miles; 31% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.