2015 Subaru WRX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 35%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Subaru WRX, 35% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Decided to get my spark plugs replaced, and got a compression test done while that service was done for convenience. Compression came out low on one side of my fa20dit engine. With more research, because the engine is direct injected, there is obvious build up on the intake valves, causing bad air flow. This is not a wear and tear issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11280851, filed 2019-11, 96,000 miles“I own a 2015 WRX limited CVT. When I go to my car to go to work and I start it, the car sputters. I've only noticed this on cold starts only, once the car is warmed up it's fine. For some reason though when the car is sputtering on start ups it will trip my cel and basically put the car into 'get home' mode, but it only seems to trigger the cel when it wants to. The car will always sputter on start up but sometimes the cel will come on and I can't use the drive modes and sometimes it won't come on. No matter what I do I can't get the car to stop sputtering. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415216, filed 2021-05, 92,000 miles“Vehicle is burning oil, oil came out through where the dip-stick is placed. Found oil on the exhaust tips. Mass air flow sensor is malfunctioning. Requires new coils and spark plugs even though I have already replaced them. Required a new battery, however, replacing the battery did not keep the vehicle from turning off by itself. O2 sensor, bank 1 sensor 2, is also malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11385687, filed 2020-12, 115,525 miles“Driving on the highway at ~70 MPH and suddenly lost all throttle response, the car would not accelerate only loose speed. Engine started to shutter to low rpms, and because of this drastically lost speed and nearly got into an accident with oncoming traffic while moving to the side of the highway to pull over. After eventually pulling over, engine continued to shutter to low rpms and could not hold an idle - would just stall after repeated attempts to start it up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11290682, filed 2019-12, 138,000 miles“2015 WRX 2.0l manual transmission while driving the car in everyday situations I have had (3) distinct problems associated with the engine/throttle/idle. 1) ghost blip: when coming to a stop, around 5-15 MPH, put it in neutral coast to a stop idle will inexplicably spike from ~700rpm (idle) --> ~1.2-1.5k RPM (for a second or two...like a ghost blipped the throttle). No pressure applied to accelerator. 2) rough idle: while sitting at a stop, in neutral, ~700rpm (idle) --> will dip to ~650-600rpm for a fraction of second & reoccur every 2-4 seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747992, filed 2015-08, 10,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034269Jun 30, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11034264Jun 26, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11033065May 13, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027090Dec 12, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11027081Dec 8, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11025790Nov 20, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11022313Aug 14, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 22% |
| 2022 | 15 | 60% |
| 2021 | 5 | 38% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 11 | 37% |
| 2018 | 12 | 28% |
| 2017 | 12 | 23% |
| 2016 | 8 | 26% |
| 2015 | 18 | 35% |
| 2014 | 2 | 33% |
| 2013 | 1 | 14% |
| 2009 | 4 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 14% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2015 Subaru WRX
18 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Subaru WRX
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology