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2020 Subaru WRX

Gas
Compact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA17
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Subaru WRX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the WRX, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 17 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
WRXGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$3,350
WRXGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo182421$3,700
WRXGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl turbo162219$4,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41554, 41555, 41556.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Subaru WRX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Exterior Lighting

WRE-22
59,934 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskInoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
NHTSA campaign 22V522000reported Jul 21, 2022Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
17complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 4

Most-cited components

Electrical System5
Visibility/Wiper3
Engine3
Seat Belts2
Service Brakes2
Unspecified2

What owners describe

“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 illuminated. The contact shifted the transmiss…”Oct 17, 2025 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“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. Another oil change was done at 77576 mil…”Jul 28, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“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. This battery was purchased brand new on no…”Jan 7, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other WRX model years

A

2026 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2024 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 13 complaints

A

2023 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 8 complaints

A

2022 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2021 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 13 complaints

B

2019 Subaru WRX

2 recalls · 30 complaints

B

2018 Subaru WRX

2 recalls · 44 complaints

A

2017 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 53 complaints

C

2016 Subaru WRX

3 recalls · 31 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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