SubaruWRX STI2020Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2020/base/

2020 Subaru WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 WRX STI.

The 2020 Subaru WRX STI is a performance-oriented compact sedan that has gathered 17 owner complaints, with the most frequent issue involving the electrical system and a single recall to date. In the broader 2008‑2019 model history, the WRX line has recorded its lowest complaint count of one in 2010 and its highest of three in 2008, underscoring a generally modest complaint trend. This places the 2020 iteration in a relatively reliable segment of the series, suggesting that its maintenance and operational expectations align with the brand’s historically low complaint profile.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/35R19 89WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3369 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 34.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings38.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug34.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs56.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.11 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.089 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°±5°35 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 96,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 2008 through 2014, the WRX STI averaged one to three annual complaints while maintaining two recalls per year, transitioning after 2014 into a recall-free period with minimal complaints (zero to three yearly) through 2019. The 2020 model records four Electrical System complaints and three Visibility/Wiper complaints specifically, alongside one crash-related complaint and zero fire complaints, indicating a concentration in electrical and visibility issues that exceeds the total annual complaint volumes reported in 2018 and 2019. Falling at the generation’s tail where recalls ceased after 2014, 2020 exhibits a clustering of grievances in specific systems rather than the scattered low-volume pattern of the immediately preceding years. While the federal data does not specify root causes for these electrical and visibility reports, the absence of recalls since 2014 contrasts with this apparent uptick in targeted complaint categories. Consequently, 2020 represents a cautious purchase requiring thorough pre-sale inspection of the electrical and wiper systems, making it a less optimal year compared to the relatively quiet 2018–2019 period.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
278
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System4
Visibility/Wiper3
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train,Engine,Back Over Prevention1
Power Train1
Engine1
Seat Belts1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V522000Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:SwitchReported 21/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 278 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific WRX STI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.