SubaruWRX2015Overview/subaru/wrx/2015/base/

2015 Subaru WRX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 WRX.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2015 Subaru WRX is a performance-oriented passenger car that requires 5.4 quarts of oil with a 5W-30 API viscosity specification for maintenance, and it recorded 52 owner complaints across its model year with three associated recalls, with power train issues representing the most frequently cited concern; when placed within the model's broader complaint history spanning 2002 to 2015, this particular year falls well below the peak of 426 complaints logged in 2002 and significantly above the historic low of just one complaint in 2010, positioning it as a model year with moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to the WRX's longitudinal track record.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 490 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 55D23L · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3269 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the WRX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.6–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.60 sec — 2015 STI Launch Edition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015STI Launch Edition 2.5L Turbo F-44.60 sec13.20 sec305 hpAWD
2015STI Launch Edition 2.5L Turbo F-44.60 sec13.10 sec305 hpAWD
2015STI Limited Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-44.70 sec13.40 sec305 hpAWD
2015STI Limited Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-44.70 sec13.20 sec305 hpAWD
2015Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-44.80 sec13.60 sec268 hpAWD
2015STI Limited Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-44.80 sec13.30 sec305 hpAWD
2015STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-44.80 sec13.30 sec305 hpAWD
2015Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.00 sec13.70 sec268 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.7
Engine OilSynthetic · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity15.9 gallons

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Automatic Transmission Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru ( non turbo)
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .031 in
Spark Plug Torque12.5 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.00-16.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.11 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100

Service checks

Engine CompressionTURBO / psi 196-254 / variance 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 114; Rear: 48 /; Front: 59; Rear: 49
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.100; Rear: .335
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
274.0 ft. lbs.74 ft. lbs
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
415.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1and2100 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,650 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 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) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (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.

The 2015 Subaru WRX sits at a clear inflection point in the federal record. After five years of minimal owner complaints (just 1–7 annually from 2010–2014) paired with high recall activity (10–12 recalls per year), 2015 jumps to 52 complaints while recalls collapse to only 3. Technical service bulletins also spike sharply, climbing from 210 in 2014 to 407 in 2015—the highest TSB count in the entire dataset—indicating a surge in dealer-level service activity outside the recall channel. The top complaint areas are concentrated in powertrain (11), engine (10), combined powertrain/engine (4), and exterior lighting (4), with 2 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint and no federal investigations opened. The following years confirm this is not an isolated spike: 2016 records 34 complaints and 3 recalls, while 2017 registers 53 complaints and only 1 recall, placing 2015 at the start of a multi-year stretch of elevated owner reports. Against that backdrop, the 2015 is not the strongest year to buy in this record; a 2010–2014 example offers a cleaner complaint history, but if you choose a 2015, budget for a thorough powertrain and engine inspection and verify any outstanding TSB work.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
407
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
52
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 52 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11
Engine10
Power Train,Engine4
Exterior Lighting4
Electrical System3
Unknown Or Other3
Steering2
Structure2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V625000Electrical System:WiringReported 06/10/2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015 WRX and WRX/STI vehicles, equipped with an optional factory-installed subwoofer in the trunk. Items in the trunk may cause the subwoofer wiring to contact the… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the subwoofer wire, install a wire retainer clip, and, as necessary, replace the subwoofer, free of charge. The recall began…

16V162000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 21/03/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 407 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. 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

How much oil does the 2015 WRX take?

5.4 qt of Synthetic 5W-30 API certification SM, SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 WRX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.