Subaru WRX Lemon Law

The WRX's turbocharged boxer engine is its signature strength and its signature weak point. Owners report turbo failures, cracked air-intake ducting, and engine trouble tied to weak pistons, rods, and bearings, along with clutch and manual-transmission complaints. Certain 2015–2016 WRX vehicles were recalled because the turbocharger air-intake duct could crack and cause an engine stall.

On top of the engine and drivetrain, certain 2018–2019 WRX models were included in Subaru's fuel-pump recall (NHTSA campaign 21V587) — a low-pressure fuel pump with a deforming impeller that can make the engine run rough, trigger the check-engine light, or stall while driving, sometimes leaving the car unable to restart. A stall in traffic is a serious safety defect, which California treats more strictly and which can require fewer failed repair attempts to qualify.

California's Lemon Law covers a vehicle the manufacturer can't repair within a reasonable number of attempts, or that is out of service for an unreasonable time, while under warranty. A recall doesn't automatically make your WRX a lemon — but if the repair doesn't hold, the stalling, turbo, or transmission problems keep coming back, or you're stuck waiting on parts, you may be owed a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with Subaru paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your WRX has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Subaru WRX qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Subaru pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.