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2023 Subaru WRX

Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely

Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.

Recalls, complaint breakdown & inspection checklist, all in a shareable PDF

7 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 13, 2026 · source: NHTSA

Unprovenwillitcar.com

What the record shows so far

Only 7 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.

The math, shown

Full methodology →
Complaint volume (40%)100
Severity (30%)84
Recall load (20%)97
Trend (10%)60

Complaints filed per year

Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.

20232026 YTD

How it crashes

NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.

5/5 overall

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2023 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD

Front crash
Side crash
Rollover

Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 9%

Stability control: StandardForward collision warning: OptionalLane departure warning: Optional

No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.

NHTSA crash-test photo, 2023 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD

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 2023 Subaru WRX, plotted where owners report it happening.

Brakes

29%

2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years

Factory brake system is weak to slow down. The tree on the road stopped my car faster than the brakes did. Many videos and internet posts document this. Quick google s…

Suspension

29%

2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years

Popping sound on the right side when i turn the wheel fully to either side and move slowly in either direction.

Engine

29%

2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

oil pickup tube was clogged with rtv that was over used to seal the oil pan, which causes less oil flow into the engine and can cause failure.

Airbags

14%

1 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

I was heading to work on a stretch of road. I was traveling at about 45-50mph. A car pulled out in front of me and we had an accident. The airbags in the older Subaru …

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.

Power Train · 23V754000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.

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 2023 Subaru WRX beats every score on the internet, including ours.

What to ask for

Not set on the 2023? See how every WRX model year scores →

Cross-shopping? Compare the 2023 Subaru WRX 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.

The fine print: this verdict is computed from public NHTSA complaint and recall records for the 2023 Subaru WRX as a model, not for any individual car. A well-maintained example of an “Avoid” can outlast a neglected “Buy”. Informational only, so always get a professional pre-purchase inspection.