Subaru WRX Is Brand’s Least Reliable Model With Transmission Problems

I have a 2016 WRX premium model six speed manual transmission I bought it in June of 2018 with 43000 miles it seems to be ok so far I'm glad I paid a little more for an extended warranty I also am a three time owner of Subarus my other car is a 2003 outback h6sedan it has 14500 miles on it I just had transmission rebuilt and tune up and other things done to it allot of money spent now it starting to make a engine knocking sound and the check engine light is on I'm at wits end as to what to do now and just put new tires on it should I see if it can be fixed and is it worth it

Lets also talk about the crappy "leather" used on the steering wheel. I had my wheel replaced around 30k miles because the leather was pealing off. 10k miles later, the second wheel started doing the same thing. The leather on my wife's 2010 CX-9 and my old 2003 Jetta GLI look much better. Its pathetic.
But yeah, I had the throw out bearing replaced in my transmission around 30k miles. It still makes a chewbacca like noise when I am in 1st gear and releasing the clutch. I have the short throw shifter on my 2015 but still feel it is chunky and sloppy.

No problems on my '16 manual - 18k now...

I have a MY2015 @ 34K miles, & no problems with transmission as of yet. .." stiff ride"?? CR doesn't know that's purposeful? At same time I do wish transmission was smoother.

I bought my 2017 WRX Premium new almost two years ago. It now has 35,000 miles on it. It has been perfect in every regard including the six-speed manual transmission and clutch. I'm certain that it will deliver many more trouble free miles.

Love the shifter in my 15 STI was even better after I put in an aftermarket short throw shifter plus stiffer bushings. As far as the ride the 15 STI was a bit stiff but not unbearable - they would really hate my 18 Type RA!!!

Have a 2015 wrx with 30,000 miles. No problems at all. Has the short shifter and is very easy to shift. No issues with clutch. I think suspension is perfect. Great value for the dollar. Dealer service has also been extremely inexpensive.

I have the 2015 - bought in 2014. 45k miles, original clutch and a stage 2 tune. No issues. Shifter has always been notchy, but its doing fine. Driven in a 'sporting' fashion. Solid car. Still fog up the windshield laughing in the snow.

If the critically minded folks didn't realize what a sham CR was before, you should now. Their rating system is absolutely preposterous. The Civic no longer gets a recommendation, as well as the F-150? Sure. Lets also be honest, as someone who's worked for a Subaru dealership, most if not nearly all of the "manual transmission issues" are user-induced. The amount of children the brand sees driving a WRX or STI has a direct correlation to the damage done to a manual transmission. Many folks start driving a manual on a WRX. If that isn't enough to discount these "findings" of failing transmissions and clutches, I don't know what is.

2019 WRX Special Edition Cool Gray Khaki

Adult-driven-only (40's) 2015 WRX, purchased new from the dealer, I did drive it moderately aggressively but nothing at the track or similar. This is my 3rd manual transmission car, put 90K miles on my manual 2010 Forester most recently, around 20K miles driven on an earlier-owned manual transmission car.

Had to replace the clutch at 46K miles. Bad smells first thing in the morning & clutch was really stiff for the last 4-6 months prior to it failing. No transmission problems since then, 84K miles now. Also A/C compressor failed 2 years ago, maybe $1,700 to replace. This was a known problem for which Subaru had issued a "technical bulletin". No other major problems.

MY2018 WRX owner for 2 years with 24K miles. The shifter/clutch does require a bit more finesse than you might expect in order to get a smooth ride. Otherwise, I haven't had any transmission issues. Being stiff is also not a mark against this car. In fact the only real issue is the uncomfortable seats during long distance driving. No lower back support whatsoever.

I have a 2016 STI I had my transmission replaced at 20,000 I now have 31,000 and they are tearing in to the new transmission for same problem

I have a 2014 subaru wrx and I've had issues from day 1. I've had the engine replaced due to faulty engine bearings and my brakes have never worked rite. I've replaced every brake component down to the brake lines and the pedal still sinks to the floor at stop lights. I've replaced the clutch twice and had second gear explode in the transmission at 62000 miles. Paid 3000 to subaru for a rebuild now I'm at 84000 and 3rd gear has exploded and I'm done with this car. I'm not paying another 3 thousand dollars. These cars are money pits and not even close to reliable vehicles.

Hi this article makes me laugh because till this day Subaru denies this fact.

I have a 2018 Subaru WRX. Transmission started whining when pressing clutch at exactly 8000-12000 miles approx...

I had videos and it was constant yet it took Subaru dealership and Subaru of America over 6 months to acknowledge the issue.

When they actually acknowledged it. They performed a fix. Told me they replaced something in clutch pedal. Noise never went away. When I got the car back I noticed ridiculous amounts of lube/grease on ever part of my pedal going to tranny. When I brought the car back they said the noise was no longer present.

After taking Subaru of America's advice and switching dealerships. Curry subaru
I was then told it was my fault. But yet the problem didn't exist?

Finally found a decent dealership. They acknowledged the problem. And they informed me that 4 months after purchasing my car when they replaced w.e they replaced. They removed and replaced my transmission. Which no one ever told me about and was not on any of my repair records... Subaru of America said I was making it up and printed the paper that the dealership gave me off of online.... Like wtf..
This is about 6 months into trying to get them to fix the issue. This new dealership told me it was the throw out bearing. Then the service manager talked to Subaru of America. And the problem no longer exsisted.

I was so fed up I said I didn't want the car and I was going to get a lawyer.

Subaru of America then gave me options to trade it in with 2500$ credit.

The dealership would not give me fair market value because of the issue with the clutch pedal whining. Even though it was under bumper to bumper and they said there was no problem. They also said they don't want a car that another dealership did shady work on.

So till this day I am at 40,000 miles clutch whines all the time. And 4th gear rattles.

4th gear rattle happens at about 35k. I brought it up last service appointment and the same thing is happening. It doesn't exist.
Subaru of America laughed in my face when I called and told them it was me with the same problem from last year like its some kind of joke.

I became disabled at 21 years old. I bought this car to make me happy and it was a gift from my fiance when I was in a really bad place of not wanting to be alive anymore.

My life has been hard enough.. it has nothing to do with it but Subaru should be help liable for lieng, and pushing people to the point we're they don't want to deal with them so they don't fix the cars they produce. That's exactly what they did to me.

I missed total over 2.5 months from work from not having my car and going back and forth to dealerships.

Another thing the dealership did was pop one of my tires, and patch it. On the sidewall and never told me. Completely ruined the inside of my tire. Never said a thing. The tire was so damaged inside. it could have blown out Mavis said. And they also said that is from driving on a fat tire for extremely long time. Why would a dealership do that. I was fighting with them so much it actually got to the point where I think they purposely damaged and sabataged my vehicle.

Wrx 2015 all highway miles at 105k, warranty stopped at 100k I bought, transmission is toast and they said f off about fixing it. Thanks Subaru!

Bought a 2017 wrx premium in march 2017. I daily it and rip around on gravel on a regular basis, plow through snowstorms for hundreds of miles and generally drive it pretty hard. I just crossed 60k miles and havent had a single issue besides a battery replacement early on under warranty. Throttle is jerky and comes on too soon but that's a common issue with this gen. No transmission noise or clutch issues to speak of. Overall i am happy with the car and will continue to thrash it till the wheels fall off. Up to date on all appropriate preventative or regular maintenance.

2016 WRX - throw out bearing and yoke failure covered by warranty.
Then I wasn’t able to shift into higher gears. The transmission problem was deemed due to abuse (false) and dealer recommended total transmission overhaul; it was a broken clutch cable - who uses a plastic connector on a clutch cable? Replaced cable at independent transmission shop. Shop couldn’t see evidence that transmission case was ever opened.I filed a complaint with California Consumer Affairs; appears Fairfield Subaru says they lost the paperwork. Looks like I’m suing Subaru to get recovery.
Car back in shop. Contaminated oil. Looks like bearing failure - waiting to hear from Subaru on warranty coverage.
Irrespective of the inconsistent quality of their vehicles I am disappointed with the integrity of Subaru and the dealer when someone gets stuck with a bad one off the line...

Ive owned a 2019 WRX for 7 months now and at just 8000 miles, I've already had to replace the rear differential. Dont ask Me how.

24000 miles on my '18 wrx, no problems at all. Maybe you guys cant drive the manual?