2022 Subaru WRX Owner's Manual Recall (23V016)

Recall 23V016 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022 Subaru WRX in recall 23V016?

The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function.

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Is it safe to drive a 2022 WRX with recall 23V016?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function contained in the owner's manual may cause the lights to not be adjusted as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your WRX shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the owners and service and other manual, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V016?

Recall 23V016 covers 4,615 vehicles: 2022 Subaru WRX.

NHTSA lists 4,615 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the WRX owner's manual recall?

Yes. Subaru will mail an owner's manual insert containing the correct information, free of charge.

Subaru will mail an owner's manual insert containing the correct information, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-23.

When was recall 23V016 announced?

Subaru of America, Inc. reported recall 23V016 to NHTSA on January 23, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 15, 2023.

This recall was filed 44 months ago. 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 23V016?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V016 is open on your WRX, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V016000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should WRX owners do about recall 23V016?

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 23V016000 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. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any owners and service and other manual symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
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 25 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the other equipment.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the other equipment have been filed since recall 23V016 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 25 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the other equipment. 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.

• 2022 Subaru WRX: 25 complaints in total, 5 about the other equipment

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

My car was recently in a high speed crash with a curb. The axle broke immediately and no airbags deployed followed my the entire engine compartment catching fire.

2022 Subaru WRX owner, UT, NHTSA complaint 11735928, filed May 5, 2026

The car has randomly on multiple occasions failed to accelerate then jump forward hitting the rev limiter. This has happened while merging back into traffic including 55 mph roads creating concern for being rear ended and also concerns for hitting vehicles in front when the car jumps forward as there is no control over it.

2022 Subaru WRX owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11749460, filed July 10, 2026

Can recall 23V016 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)).

Even an equipment recall can matter in a lemon law claim if the problem keeps coming back or the 2022 Subaru WRX spends many days at the dealer.

The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.

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 23V016