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2022 Subaru WRX STI
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
25 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (60% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#89 of 430Among the 2022 models with a matured record, the 2022 Subaru WRX STI ranks #89, scoring higher than 77% of them. See the 2022 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2022 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 9%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2022 Subaru WRX STI, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (15)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
60%15 complaints
“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 resulti…”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The car has randomly on multiple occasions failed to accelerate then jump forward hitting the rev limiter. This has happened while merging back into traffic including …”
Electrical system
12%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 dis…”
Airbags
8%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“My car was recently in a high speed crash with a curb. The axle broke immediately and no airbags deployed followed my the entire engine compartment catching fire.”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 25 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 3 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Equipment · 23V016000
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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Subaru before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2022 Subaru WRX STI. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2022 Subaru WRX STI beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2022? See how every WRX STI model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2022 Subaru WRX STI against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.