Subaru WRX VIN Number Check

Enter a Subaru WRX VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefixJF1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Subaru WRX

About the Subaru WRX

Subaru has sold the WRX in the US since the 2015 model year, and there have been two generations. The VA came first (2015–2021), and the VB took over for 2022–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns and 295 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the VA. Its 2015 and 2017 model years alone account for 108 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the VA at 18–24 mpg combined, while the VB gets 21–22 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2015–2026

GenerationsVA · VB

NHTSA recall campaigns7

Owner complaints295 at NHTSA

Subaru WRX photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Subaru WRX generations

Two generations since the 2015 model year. The VA (2015–2021) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (5).

2 / 2

2022–20262nd generation

201520202025

2022–2026· Generation 2 of 2

VB · 2nd generation

PlatformSubaru Global

EPA combined mpg21–22

NHTSA recalls2

Engines (EPA)

2.4 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2022–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
manual (2022–2026), CVT (2022–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (18)Forward collision avoidance (7)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (6)

Mentions in 48 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · VBJF1VBAF6?N9······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2022 Subaru WRX Premium, built in Japan

Check a WRX VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which WRX model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 7 campaigns on file for WRX model years 2015–2026, and the 2015 and 2016 show up in the most (3 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Subaru WRX owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2015 and 2017 hold 108 of the 295 complaints, or 37%. Tap any bar or generation.

295NHTSA complaints, 2015–2026

23mention a crash

7mention a fire

13injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearVB: 48 complaints · most for the 2022 (25)

Top complaint areas · VB

Mentions in 48 complaints, 2022–2026.

Engine and cooling18

Forward collision avoidance7

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)6

Electrical system4

Air bags4

Brakes4

Crashes 5Fires 1Injuries 0

2022–2026 (VB)

NHTSA data summary

Engine and cooling owns this generation. Its 18 mentions are more than twice the next area, forward collision avoidance (7). Its first model year, the 2022, drew more complaints than any other (25 of 48).

What WRX owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2015–2021 (4th generation, VA)

Complaint counts are modest at NHTSA, but CarComplaints shows a clear pattern. NHTSA owners of the 2015 and 2017 most often describe clutch and manual transmission problems, including throwout bearing and fork failures that burn out the clutch. CarComplaints lists a bad clutch plate and flywheel and throwout bearing noise for 2015, a bad clutch and a failed radiator for 2016, and premature clutch failure and throwout bearing noise for 2017. Recalls cover a turbocharger air intake duct on some 2015 models that may crack and stall the engine, subwoofer wiring and a backup light switch that may corrode. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the turbo intake duct and backup light switch recalls.
Ask for clutch, flywheel and throwout bearing repair records.
Look for coolant leaks at the radiator.
On the drive, listen for bearing noise with the clutch pedal pressed and released, and check that the clutch engages smoothly without slipping.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

WRX complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every WRX version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

295complaints, 2015–2026

23mention a crash

7mention a fire

13injuries reported

Most complaints: 2015 (55), 2017 (53), 2018 (44)

2015 · 55 complaints

Crashes 2 · fires 1 · injuries 1

Engine20

Power train18

Electrical system6

Exterior lighting5

Fuel/propulsion system5

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

WRX CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 32 WRX versions for model years 2015–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 374 g/mi (2015). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

VA2015–2021

18–24 mpg · CO₂ 374–485 g/mi

VB2022–2026

21–22 mpg · CO₂ 407–422 g/mi

Model year2025

22combined MPG

413CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,750EPA yearly fuel cost

2/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV125 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 125Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: WRX · Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo — 22 MPG · 413 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

WRX vs Honda Civic vs Volkswagen Golf

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2015–2021. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the WRX, against 15 for the Honda Civic and 29 for the Volkswagen Golf. Pick a range to compare.

Subaru WRXVB

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 48
EPA combined mpg: 21–22
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.4 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 18
Forward collision avoidance 7
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 6

Honda Civic

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 8
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,561
EPA combined mpg: 24–49
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 1,178
Forward collision avoidance 174
Lane departure 148

Volkswagen Golf

Model years 2022–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 7
NHTSA owner complaints: 124
EPA combined mpg: 23–26
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 40
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 30
Engine and cooling 27

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Subaru WRX VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a WRX

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Subaru WRX (fifth generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

WRX carries its VIN at the lower driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on the firewall in the engine compartment. Cross-reference the firewall stamp and the door jamb sticker with the dashboard plate. The VB generation starts with the 2022 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (N for 2022) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Subaru WRX VIN questions

Which Subaru WRX model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2015 leads with 55, ahead of the 2017 (53) and 2018 (44). Those first two alone make up 37% of the 295 WRX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Subaru WRX had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 7 vehicle campaigns for model years 2015–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, VA leads with 5. Then come the VB (2), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Subaru WRX recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 17V-625. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which WRX generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the VA is 2015–2021 and the VB 2022–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (N is 2022).

What fuel economy does the Subaru WRX get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2022–2026 VB at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18–24 mpg for the 2015–2021 VA (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Subaru WRX compare with the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf on recalls?

For 2022–2026 models the WRX has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Civic has 8, the Volkswagen Golf 7. Complaints run 48, 1,561 and 124 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Subaru WRX have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 WRX 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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