NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Subaru WRX Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 Subaru WRX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Subaru WRX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Subaru WRX owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Subaru WRX, describing incidents dated May 18, 2006 to April 1, 2019.

Most-cited components

Engine 5 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Structure 1 complaint

Together, the 14 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11193386 · Filed April 2, 2019
THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP FAILED TO TURN OFF AND NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE. SUBARU HAS RECALLED THIS PART AND THE RELATED RELAY SWITCH FOR 2008-14 IMPREZAS, BUT THIS PROBLEM ALSO EXISTS WITH 2006 IMPREZAS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FAILURE POINT FOR MY MODEL.
ODI #10748107 · Filed August 12, 2015
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A PUBLIC ROAD AT 30 MPH. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON SO VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT TO CHECK OIL LEVEL. OIL LEVEL WAS FULL. OWNER CHECKED ON INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THIS SYMPTOM AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS REFERENCES TO A BROKEN OIL PICK UP…
ODI #10725267 · Filed June 15, 2015
RAW FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING AND AFTER COLD STARTS

Read all 14 complaints

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V001000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 258,813 vehicles

Repair completion: 89.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKA-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built November 5, 2002 – January 27, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V002000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 127,547 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKB-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built January 9, 2003 – January 28, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #20V003000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2020 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 111,562 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign TKC-20 · Owners notified January 7, 2020 · Vehicles built January 9, 2003 – January 21, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E060000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported June 29, 2006 · AAI MOTORSPORTS USA, LLC

Potentially affected: 87,745 vehicles

Owners notified August 1, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Manufacturer remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AAI MOTORSPORTS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2006 Subaru WRX. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru WRX.

Engine

ODI #11193386

Incident: April 1, 2019 · Filed: April 2, 2019

THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP FAILED TO TURN OFF AND NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE. SUBARU HAS RECALLED THIS PART AND THE RELATED RELAY SWITCH FOR 2008-14 IMPREZAS, BUT THIS PROBLEM ALSO EXISTS WITH 2006 IMPREZAS. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FAILURE POINT FOR MY MODEL.

Engine

ODI #10748107

Incident: July 23, 2015 · Filed: August 12, 2015

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A PUBLIC ROAD AT 30 MPH. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON SO VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A BUSINESS PARKING LOT TO CHECK OIL LEVEL. OIL LEVEL WAS FULL. OWNER CHECKED ON INTERNET FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THIS SYMPTOM AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS REFERENCES TO A BROKEN OIL PICK UP TUBE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR EVALUATION. SHOP INFORMED OWNER UPON REMOVAL OF OIL PAN THAT ALUMINUM SHAVINGS WERE DISCOVERED IN THE OIL AND THAT INDEED THE OIL PICK UP TUBE WAS BROKEN. SHOP INFORMED OWNER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SEEN ON CERTAIN MODEL YEARS OF SUBARU VEHICLES. FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES OIL STARVATION AND CATASTROPHIC MOTOR DAMAGE REQUIRING REBUILD OR REPLACEMENT OF SHORT BLOCK AND OTHER RELATED INSPECTIONS AND CLEANINGS OF PARTS THROUGH WHICH OIL FLOWS. PART IN QUESTION IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PART. AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS SUCH AS KILLERBEE HAVE ENGINEERED A BETTER PRODUCT AND CONDUCTED INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF ISSUE WITH OEM PART AND EXPLAIN THAT THE BRAZING PROCESS USED TO JOIN THE BRACKET AND THE TUBE IN FACT WEAKEN THE TUBE. IN ADDITION, THE FLUX USED DURING BRAZING IS NOT PROPERLY CLEANED ON SOME PARTS WHICH LEADS THE MANUFACTURER TO BELIEVE THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE THAT SUBARU HAS OVERLOOKED. OWNER CONTACT SUBARU REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR COSTS AND WAS DENIED WITH THE EXPLANATION THAT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. COST TO REPLACE SHORT BLOCK WITH LABOR IS $6500. OWNER HAS EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN AND UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAILURE DUE TO OWNER NEGLIGENCE AND FAILURE DUE TO A NON WEAR AND TEAR PART THAT IS NOT IN SUBARU REGULAR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE OF PART AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED CAN CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE AND A POSSIBLE UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE MOTOR CAN LOCK UP AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. NUMEROUS OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR ISSUES.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10725267

Incident: January 6, 2014 · Filed: June 15, 2015

RAW FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING AND AFTER COLD STARTS

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10681908

Incident: January 5, 2015 · Filed: February 7, 2015

UPON START UP OF MY 2006 SUBARU WRX, THERE IS VISUAL EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING TIMES OF COLD WEATHER. YOU CANNOT SEE THE LEAK AS IT IS UNDERNEATH COMPONENTS HOWEVER, YOU CAN SMELL RAW FUEL AND SEE WHERE IT PUDDLES UP AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF ENGINE OPERATION. THIS PUDDLE ACCUMULATES ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TURBOCHARGER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSE OF MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY FAMILY, PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE AND OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD. SOA, SUBARU OF AMERICA, HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS BUT SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE CURRENT MODEL YEARS. I HAVE CONTACTED SOA WITH MY PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10558747

Incident: January 7, 2014 · Filed: January 7, 2014

STARTED MY 2006 SUBARU WRX THIS MORNING IN 5 DEGREE TEMP, AND THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. I HAVE A SHORT DRIVE TO WORK, BUT THE SMELL STAYED STRONG FOR A GOOD 10MINS. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10460895

Incident: March 5, 2012 · Filed: June 7, 2012

AT 3500 RPM SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR AT LOW LEVEL ACCELERATION THE 3RD GEAR TEETH SHATTERED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE GEARSET. 3RD GEAR NEEDED TOTAL REPLACEMENT AND METAL DEBRIS FLOATING IN THE CASING UNTIL CAR COULD BE STOPPED. 2000 MILES LATER AFTER SUBARU DEALERSHIP REPAIR AND ALL NEW PARTS FROM THE FACTORY THE SAME SCENARIO OCCURS AGAIN 3RD GEAR CHIPPED ALL TEETH AND CAR NEEDED TO BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. BOTH INCIDENTS LEFT THE CAR WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF METAL DEBRIS WHICH NOT ONLY CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS BUT ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CAUSE THE CAR TO LOCK UP AND MALFUNCTION POSING A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND ANY PASSENGERS. THIS METAL DEBRIS WAS OBSERVED IN BOTH TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. SUBARU SIGHTED "OPERATOR ABUSE" AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HOWEVER A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT RELATED TO A SIGNIFICANT DEFLECTION OF THE INPUT SHAFT MOST LIKELY IS THE REAL CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10446143

Incident: January 31, 2012 · Filed: February 1, 2012

CODE P1410 SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SWITCHING VALVE STUCK OPEN. THIS IS A COMMON ERROR MANY 2006 AND UP SUBARU IMPREZA WRX OWNERS ARE HAVING. THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM IS PRONE TO FAIL DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP OR MOISTURE AND RUST CONTAMINATING VALVES, LEADING TO REPAIRS COSTING $700 TO $1500. THIS FAILURE IS COMMON EVEN WITH LOW MILEAGE. NOTE THESE CODES ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURE: 06/07 WRX: P0410 P0411 P0413 P0414 P0416 P0417 P0418 P2431 P2432 P2433 P2440 P2441 P2442 P2443 P2444 07 STI: P0410 P0411 P0413 P0414 P0418 P2431 P2432 P2433 P2441 P2444 *TR

Structure

ODI #10389926

1 injury

Incident: March 12, 2011 · Filed: March 12, 2011

STUD BOLT CONNECTING STRUT ARM FROM REAR HATCH TO CAR FRAME FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE STRUT ARM TO BECOME DISCONNECTED WITH THE REAR HATCH AND THE REAR HATCH DOOR NO LONG IS ABLE TO REMAIN AJAR WITHOUT MANUAL SUPPORT. DOOR WILL CLOSE ON USER WITHOUT NOTICE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10290490

Incident: November 1, 2009 · Filed: November 1, 2009

1. OIL LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND THEN STAYS ON AT IDLE OR UNDER LOW REV'S 2. THE FAILURE IS THE OIL PICK UP LINE RESULTING IN A CRACKED LINE AND DAMAGED ENGINE. 3. USUALLY DAMAGE IS SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT A REPLACED LONG BLOCK AND TURBO FROM MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER NO SUFFICIENT REPLACEMENT IS MADE ABOUT PART PRONE TO FAILURE EVEN WITH A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10241810

Incident: September 1, 2008 · Filed: September 11, 2008

OIL PICK UP TUBE CRACKED. *TR

Other Subaru WRX model years

Check your 2006 Subaru WRX VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru WRX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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