2021 Subaru WRX Back Up Lights Switch Recall (22V522)

Recall 22V522 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Subaru WRX in recall 22V522?

The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

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 image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 WRX with recall 22V522?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the switch.

Which vehicles are included in recall 22V522?

Recall 22V522 covers 59,934 vehicles: 2021 Subaru WRX.

NHTSA lists 59,934 vehicles in this campaign, built November 14, 2013 to October 21, 2021. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the WRX back up lights switch recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge.

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 customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

When was recall 22V522 announced?

Subaru of America, Inc. reported recall 22V522 to NHTSA on July 21, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as September 16, 2022.

This recall was filed 51 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 2898 days. If your WRX was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my WRX is part of recall 22V522?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V522 is open on your WRX, it will be listed there.

The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 WRX vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.

What should WRX owners do about recall 22V522?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V522000 applies to your WRX.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Subaru dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the switch happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are WRX owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the lighting and visibility.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 22V522 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 13 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Subaru WRX: 13 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility

Can recall 22V522 make my WRX a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021 Subaru WRX can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Subaru WRX has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the WRX went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 22V522