Subaru WRX: Backup Light Switch Corrosion (2015–2021)

What the evidence shows

Subaru recalled certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles because the backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative. This is documented in NHTSA campaign 22V522000, an official safety recall — not an owner complaint pattern or a manufacturer service bulletin.

What this means

A failed switch means the backup lights will not illuminate and the rearview camera image will not display when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.

What may be happening mechanically

Moisture can reach the switch's internal contacts over time, corroding them until they no longer reliably close the circuit.

What owners may notice

• The backup lights do not illuminate in reverse
• The rearview camera image does not appear when shifting into reverse

What to check first

Confirm the backup lights illuminate and the rearview camera activates when shifting into reverse, and ask a dealer whether campaign 22V522000 was completed for the specific VIN.

What this does not prove

A safety recall confirms an identified defect and a required remedy for the specific vehicles covered by NHTSA campaign 22V522000. It does not establish how many vehicles ever actually experienced the described failure, and any symptom listed above can have other causes — a qualified inspection is still the way to confirm the cause on a specific vehicle.

For owners and buyers

If you own or are considering a 2015–2021 Subaru WRX, check the VIN against NHTSA campaign 22V522000 (through the manufacturer or the relevant national recall lookup) to see whether the remedy has already been completed. An open recall is normally repaired by the dealer at no cost to the owner.