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Subaru WRXModel year report

2013 Subaru WRX Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
10,500miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
11campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2013 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (86% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and engine (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 71% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 10,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 224 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the switch and 17 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

Transmission and drivetrain: “Clutch release bearing (aka throw out bearing) in the vehicle prematurely wears off, resulting in loss of power while driving. My WRX made squeaky noise in the cold morning, but disappears in afternoon. It just comes and goes, so I thought it was just noise at first. Few days later, I was driving on the freeway, and as soon as I stepped on my clutch, I felt some grinding noise, and white smoke started coming out from my front hood. My clutch was not engaging anymore and I was fortunate enough to cruise and pull the vehicle to the side of the freeway. …”

NHTSA complaint #11144668, filed 2018-11, 61,000 miles

Brakes: “Driving east bound on the long island expressway near exit 38 in the left lane, suddenly traffic was becoming a dead stop again and I pressed down on the foot brake and nothing happened so I hit it again and looked to make sure I had hit the correct pedal and then at the last second pulled the e-brake before the collision doing about 35 MPH.”

NHTSA complaint #10608211, filed 2014-07, 10,500 miles

Engine: “I purchased a my 2013 WRX with only 7miles on it and after the 'break-in period of 1000 miles the engine through a connecting rod. The engine was replaced under warranty. Granted the effort to have soa take care this major failure was painful. At mile 29k this past may. I heard a faint knocking/ticking while on the highway. After 20 mins the noise got louder, by the time I was home it sounded like marbles were in my engine. The dealer had to do tear-down and told me the engine failed and had to be replaced,they then told me that the clutch was abused' and had to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10744338, filed 2015-07, 29,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

71% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,800 and 29,500 miles.

43%0–1014%10–2514%25–5029%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 10,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20143201520162018
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

See all 11 recalls for the 2013 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. 224 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 224 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 2013 Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2013 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Subaru WRX is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (86% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2013 Subaru WRX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 11 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 2013 Subaru WRX reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 10,500 miles and the middle half falls between 7,800 and 29,500 miles; 71% 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.