SubaruWRX2020Overview/subaru/wrx/2020/base/

2020 Subaru WRX

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

The 2020 Subaru WRX, situated within the model’s 2002‑2025 timeline, generated just 17 owner complaints, with the electrical system cited as the top problem area and a single recall recorded. This complaint total is markedly lower than the 2002 high of 426 issues and approaches the 2010 low of only one complaint. Consequently, the 2020 model year reflects a period of notably strong reliability in the WRX’s history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

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 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 height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3402 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 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.

5.2–6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2020 Series.White Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Series.White Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.20 sec14.00 sec268 hpAWD
2020Series.White Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.00 sec268 hpAWD
2020STI Series.White Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-46.00 sec14.20 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.10 sec13.50 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec13.80 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec13.90 sec310 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.50 sec14.20 sec268 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.10 sec268 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts 1-1026 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)
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.

In the federal complaint record, 2020 shows 17 complaints and 1 recall, which is lower than the 30 complaints and 2 recalls recorded in 2019 but comparable to the 13 complaints and 1 recall in 2021. The overall arc of the generation reveals a peak in complaints around 2015‑2017 followed by a steady decline, and 2020 sits near the bottom of that downward trend. The 2020 model’s top complaint categories are Electrical System (4) and Visibility/Wiper (3), with no fire‑related complaints and only a single crash complaint. Compared with the immediate neighboring years, the 2020 figures are modest, indicating fewer reported defects than the prior year and similar to the subsequent year. Therefore, from a regulatory‑record perspective, the 2020 Subaru WRX represents a relatively low‑risk purchase, though a thorough service history check is still advisable.

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 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. 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 have open recalls?

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