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NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2022 Subaru Wrx.
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Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will mail an owner's manual insert containing the correct information, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-23.
Complaint Summary: I am filing a complaint regarding a potentially defective A/C compressor that is producing abnormal noise and may indicate premature failure. Description of Issue: My vehicle’s A/C compressor produces a loud, rhythmic “chugging” or knocking noise at idle when the A/C system is off. The noise is excessive and not consistent with normal operation. When the A/C is turned on, the noise changes but remains abnormally loud. Based on my experience and comparison to other similar vehicles, this is not normal behavior. A comparable 2024 Subaru WRX does not exhibit this issue, and many other 2022 WRX owners have reported similar symptoms. Safety Concern: This is not just a noise concern—it may indicate internal compressor failure or premature wear. The A/C compressor in this vehicle is part of a continuously driven system (no traditional clutch), meaning it is always engaged via the serpentine belt. If the compressor were to fail internally, it could: •Seize or bind, potentially damaging or breaking the serpentine belt •Lead to sudden loss of power steering assist (if belt-driven) •Cause loss of alternator function (battery charging failure) •Result in engine overheating if the water pump is belt-driven •Leave the vehicle stranded unexpectedly This presents a potential safety risk, especially if failure occurs while driving. Additional Context: Subaru has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for a similar A/C compressor issue in another model using a comparable design, which includes replacement procedures for certain serial number ranges. Despite this, Subaru has not acknowledged the issue for the WRX, even though there are numerous owner reports of the same symptoms. Conclusion: The abnormal noise suggests a potential defect that could lead to premature failure and safety-related consequences. I am requesting that this issue be investigated for possible defects in design or manufacturing affecting the A/C compressor in the 2022 Subar
During driving, especially when it is cold outside, the Subaru Eyesight Pre-Collision system (automatic emergency braking) can be triggered by exhaust smoke from a vehicle in front of it. The braking system can be falsely activated, which could cause your vehicle to be hit from behind. There is no way to adjust the sensitivity of this system. It is only meant to be activated by objects, but since the system is camera-based it might think that a large cloud of exhaust is actually solid. In the specific instance when this happened, I was waiting at a red light behind a GMC Acadia. When the light turned green, a lot of exhaust came from that car, and the pre-collision braking was activated, causing the car to activate the brakes very abruptly. At the next light, the same thing happened, but the car didn't hit the brakes that time since I lifted off the accelerator, but the warning buzzer still activated. Video showing the problem: [XXX] The loud grinding noise after the pre-collision warning beeps is the sound of the brakes when they are applied by pre-collision. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Pre-collision prevention How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle can stop unexpectedly which could cause a rear-end collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The 2022 Subaru Wrx has 1 NHTSA recall and 23 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
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Hood vibration (visual) when driving and going over minor bumps.
My son moved my car onto the driveway, stopped it with the foot brake with the manual transmission in neutral. The hill assist was activated, so when he got out of the car the brake held long enough for him to get out of the car and walk away before the brake released, about 2 seconds. The car then rolled down the driveway into a tree. This could have been a disaster if the tree wasn’t there to stop the driverless vehicle.
Low engine oil levels came on just last week. I had gotten my complimentary oil/rotate last month. I’ve heard and seen videos on this vehicle having excessive RTV sealant on the oil pan. Makes me very concerned seeing how the RTV clogs the oil pickup resulting in oil deprivation. Seeing how this is my only car I rely a lot on this vehicle. The engine could’ve seized up on me anytime. When the light had come on I checked my dipstick and found that there was hardly any oil in the engine. T dipstick was practically dry. I have documentations to prove it as well. I’ve topped up my own oil and will be monitoring this problem. If I reproduce the same problem I will be back to complain again/headed to the dealership. This needs to be fixed ASAP. Seeing how my car only has 18,000 miles it’s ridiculous. Recall the vehicles already and get this issue resolved before someone gets seriously injured. No way I’m paying for something production messed up on.
The electric pushbutton would not function. I have a standard transmission and I let the clutch out too soon by accident. It killed the engine but the electrical components stayed on, such as lights, interior dash gauge, air conditioning, radio, everything else functioned as if the car were on and running however, i couldn't start the vehicle and the push button did not generate any response from the vehicle. Opening and shutting the door did not work, getting out and locking the car did not do anything. It was just like when a desktop computer freezes with the screen still functioning. This is the third time it has happened, the first 2 times it was 1. In a store parking lot 2. In my garage. 3. Today it happened as I was trying to leave the house, in my garage again. Each time, letting off the clutch too soon is what caused the car to behave this way. The first time I sat in the parking lot for about 15 minutes, same with the second time. This time I made sure to look at a clock and it happened at 10:50 am CST, it is 11:21 am CST currently and still no response from the car, it will not turn on. My safety so far has not been a concern as I was in a parking lot or garage each time this has happened but if this happens in traffic or in an intersection, it will be deadly. It will kill people both myself and other motorists. I have slipped off of the clutch before in this vehicle and this malfunction does not happen each time. It is sporadic. I don't know why it happens only sometimes. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or any other people. The first occurrences have been in the month of June 2023. There were no other warning lamps on to indicate any problems. The dash lights, air, etc remain on after it happens just like when you switch the car to the "Accessories" position however the engine will not Crank.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front-end collision; however, the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that there were no illuminating lights. The contact stated that his wife sustained no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, and the mechanic stated that the air bag sensors were installed incorrectly. The contact stated that the vehicle was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,800.
Excessive RTV silicone was used on the oil pan on this year/make/model. This issue causes pieces of RTV to break off inside the oil pan and clog the oil pickup resulting in the engine being deprived of oil. I’m seeing more and more people document this issue online and worry the $33,000 car I just bought may have this issue. Subaru has not issued any recall knowing this is affecting many many vehicles.
The vehicle’s oil pan has seal is made up of RTV silicone and it seems an excessive amount was placed around the oil pan. I’ve noticed that this has caused some of the silicone sealant to chip off into the oil pan causing it to flow into the oil pick up. Over time I’ve noticed a burning smell from the engine bay area and the exhaust. I know different models of Subaru have the same engine type and have all faced this issue causing catastrophic damage to the engine. And so far I have not heard Subaru making any headway to fix the issue. This is my daily vehicle and I really do not want what could be a simple fix to destroy my car. But I’m sure a lot of other Subaru WRX owners are facing this issue! There have been many owners posting videos of them dropping the pan to show residue of the RTV silicone getting caught in the oil pick up filter. Subaru needs to fix this since it came from the factory with this defect!
Car has some type of black silicone inside oil pan. Inside upper pan as well. Also has clogged a screen that oil passed through. I have seen many people online do this pan drop time and time again and still having big chunks blocking its path to engine. I’m afraid of oil deprivation. This with ultimately destroy the entire motor. This could lead to serious injury or death if the motor suddenly goes. I believe this needs to be looked into to help prevent this. More of these 2022 Subaru wrxs being manufactured in this manner could ultimately destroy a 30,000$ vehicle and lead to crashing out unexpectedly. My phone number is [XXX] thank you for your time. ,[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Infotaiment system goes to a blank screen periodicaly. Sound frm radio works but screen is balnk, no way to reset. Wifi updates are up to date. Whenthis happens it disables the eye sight camera causes a safety concern with automatic branking/collision. When the car sits overnight, then the next day it seems to go back to normal. This has happened 4 times already in the 2 months I have oened this vechicle.
The fa24 engine for this car uses an RTV gasket to seal the oil pan. Subaru ended up using too much RTV sealant on this engine which ended up causing pieces of RTV to fall off inside of the oil pan. This can cause a clog in the oil pickup which may result in oil starvation for the engine. If this happens in traffic and the motor blows up, it could cause a collision. Subaru doesn't have any active service or recalls for this issue and it has been known to happen on the BRZ and Toyota 86 which both use the same engine. You can see online that others have dropped the oil pans on their fa24s and found RTV fluid in their oil pan. Recently, RallySport Direct on YoutTube release a video detailing them dropping the oil pan on a 22 WRX and found large pieces of RTV clogging the oil pickup. If Subaru doesn't address this issue, it can affect many vehicles on the road.
The seal on the oil pan is chipping off and getting into the oil pan and oil pick up system and causing oil starvation.
There is a huge concern about excess RTV getting into the oil pick up that will cause oil starvation in the engine once enough particles of RTV have caused obstruction. The 2022 WRX has the same engine FA24 as the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86, both have had issues with excess RTV in the oil can and have caused catastrophic damage. There has been many articles, forum posts, and videos showing this issue. Lastly, removal of RTV is very labor intensive as the header must be dropped in order to get the oil pan off. You can not remove the oil pick up without taking the entire front timing cover off either. In conclusion, most will not be able to have this cleaned out themselves and would only have the option to pay the dealership or an independent shop to do the work.
Excessive RTV used to seal engine and oil pan is clogging the oil pickup in the oil pan. Many 2022 Subaru WRX owners have had a technician take off the oil pan to inspect the oil pickup and inside the oil pan. They are finding lots of Grey RTV as well as black RTV. Both grey and black are used to seal the engine in different areas. This is very concerning especially since most of these cars are under the 1st oil change time and mileage. Under 6000k miles... Long term there will be a significantly greater amount of floating RTV that will inevitably clog the oil pick up... My 2022 WRX only has 400 miles on it and I am already losing sleep over this very serious Global issue with this engine.
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