SubaruWRX2023Overview/subaru/wrx/2023/base/

2023 Subaru WRX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 WRX.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2023 Subaru WRX features an AV‑S8 automatic transmission, requires 4.8 qt of 0W‑20 oil, and is rated by the EPA at 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. With only seven total owner complaints recorded for the year, the most frequently cited issue concerns the service brakes, and a single recall has been issued. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 2002‑2025, the 2023 WRX sits far below the 2002 peak of 426 complaints and close to the 2010 low of just one complaint. This positions the 2023 model year as a notably reliable point in the WRX’s evolution.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tire size17" 235/45R17 97WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim17": 8; 18": 8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3340 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

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.

5.4–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2022 GT Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022GT Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-45.40 sec14.10 sec271 hpAWD
2022Limited Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-45.50 sec13.90 sec271 hpAWD
2022Limited Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-45.90 sec14.20 sec271 hpAWD
2022GT Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-46.00 sec14.60 sec271 hpAWD
2022Limited Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.30 sec271 hpAWD
2022Limited Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-46.10 sec14.60 sec271 hpAWD
2024TR Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-45.60 sec13.90 sec271 hpAWD
2024TR Sedan 2.4L Turbo F-46.00 sec14.40 sec271 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru High Torque CVT Fluid LV
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)Use new O-Rings: 4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Hand Tighten ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)Use a new gasket: 12.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)22.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new gaskets. 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new gaskets: 37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeSILKFR8A6
Spark Plug Gap0.020-0.024" in
Spark Plug Torque12.9 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.82-0.94 lbs
Oil TypeVCF100YF
Oil Capacity3.38 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
113.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen Bolts 1, 2 & 3 in Reverse: 180°, Step 3: Bolts 1, 2 & 3: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 4: Loosen Bolts 8, 6 & 4: 180°, Bolts 4, 6 & 8: 13.3 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen Bolts 7, 9 & 5: 180°, Step 6: Bolts 5, 9 & 7: 13.313.3 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 214.8 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 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 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 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 Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine 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) · 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.

In 2023 the WRX generated 7 federal complaints, one recall, and 193 total TSBs, positioning it near the low end of the recent decade. That complaint count is markedly lower than the 25 complaints recorded in 2022 but slightly higher than the 13 complaints seen in 2024, indicating a modest fluctuation. The most frequently cited problem categories are Service Brakes, Suspension and Engine, each accounting for two complaints, while Air Bags contributed one. Crash‑related complaints total two and no fire complaints were logged, matching the pattern of negligible safety‑critical events in recent years. Given the low and stable complaint volume and the absence of major recall activity, 2023 appears to be a solid year to purchase a used 2023 Subaru WRX.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
193
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
2 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 7 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Service Brakes2
Suspension2
Engine2
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V754000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 193 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
02-196-262026-06-22EngineThis bulletin outlines the diagnostic and repair procedure for white smoke emitted from…
06-94-25R2026-06-19Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces availability of new Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) & Vehicle…

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 2023 WRX take?

4.8 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic SP Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-6A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 WRX have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the WRX get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.