---
title: "Subaru Recalls over 9,000 WRXs and WRX STIs over Flaming Subwoofers"
description: "We advise owners to refrain from bumping any fire mixtapes for the time being."
date: "2017-11-01"
modified: "2019-04-01"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/15669/subaru-recalls-over-9000-wrxs-and-wrx-stis-over-flaming-subwoofers"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Subaru News"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "Japanese Cars"
  - "recalls"
  - "sedan"
  - "sports car"
  - "Subaru"
  - "WRX"
  - "WRX STi"
---

# Subaru Recalls over 9,000 WRXs and WRX STIs over Flaming Subwoofers

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/11/2015_subaru_wrxsti_021-e1509568665956.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Subaru is recalling [9,178](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMHTK15Pik>) examples of the 2015 WRX and [WRX STI](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14607/the-subaru-wrx-sti-s208-is-a-japan-only-carbon-roofed-special-edition>) over a fire risk—and no, we're not talking about fires started by unattended [vape pens](<https://soothelife.com/a/s/products/soothe-cbd-pen>). Instead, the issue lies in the circuitry used for Subaru's optional factory subwoofer, according to the [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration](<https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCLRPT-17V625-6623.PDF>) report.

Located in the trunk, the subwoofer's wiring is said to be at risk of being displaced by loose objects moving around. If wiring touches the sub's metal frame, a short circuit may occur. This leads to a risk of overheating, which leads to a risk of a fire, which leads to a risk of death or injury. Not good.

Subaru apparently received two reports of in-the-wild [WRX](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/13457/ford-focus-rs-vs-subaru-wrx-sti-a-slightly-biased-one-man-comparison-test>) subs overheating, one coming from Australia. Whether or not anyone was hurt in these instances is unclear.

To remedy the issue, Subaru will install a spacer in between the subwoofer's wire and frame. If it's discovered that a wire has already been knocked out of place, the entire sub will be replaced. Per recall protocol, the work will be done free of charge at Subaru's dealers.

Affected owners should be notified and instructed to visit their local dealer soon. Until then, we would keep the bass—and, ahem, [*heat*-heavy](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M_5oYU-IsU>) tracks [to a minimum.](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMUDVMiITOU>)

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)