Buy Subaru WRX Bumper Covers

Background Info

The Subaru WRX bumper cover-also called the bumper skin, fascia, or outer shell-is a lightweight plastic panel that protects underlying crash parts, guides cool air to the engine and intercooler, and gives the sports sedan its aggressive look. It clips on and off with basic tools, is usually made of flexible polypropylene (PP) or ABS, hides an energy-absorbing foam pad and steel beam, must meet U.S. bumper-height rules, and is easy to repaint or recycle. This guide explains fitment for different WRX generations, materials, safety rules, removal steps, repair tips, recycling facts, performance upgrades, and answers to common questions.

Fitment & Years

Fitment & Years

Subaru kept the same front-end hard-points for the 2015-2021 WRX and STI, so bumper covers from those model years often interchange with only minor clip differences. (Reddit, ken-gilbert.com)
The 2022-2025 "VB-chassis" uses a new cover that won't swap with earlier cars because the headlights, fenders, and grille mounts all moved. (Chasing Cars)
Rear covers follow the same split: 2015-2021 interchange; 2022-up are unique. Always match sedan vs. hatch and check trim openings for fog lights or sensors. (ken-gilbert.com)

Construction

Construction

Most WRX bumper shells are injection-molded polypropylene, tagged "PP-TD20" on the back of the part, which flexes instead of cracking. (NASIOC, Amazon)
Early GD-chassis cars (2002-2007) sometimes use ABS plastic; aftermarket skins may be fiberglass or polyurethane. (NASIOC)
Behind the cover sits a crush-foam energy absorber (Subaru P/N 57705VC210 on 2022-25 cars) and a high-strength steel or aluminum beam that spreads crash forces. (Subaru Parts, I-CAR Tech Support Portal)

Safety Rules

Safety Rules

U.S. regulations require passenger-car bumpers to withstand 2.5 mph impacts with the impact line 16-20 inches above the ground. (eCFR, NHTSA)
The foam and beam are one-time-use parts-replace them after any significant hit to keep crash protection intact. (I-CAR Tech Support Portal)

Aerodynamics

Aerodynamics

Large grille openings and side air curtains in the WRX cover route cool air toward the top-mount or front-mount intercooler, helping intake temps and power. (COBB Tuning, COBB Tuning)
On the 2022-up WRX, black plastic cladding around the bumper edges smooths airflow by letting air peel off cleanly instead of creating turbulent vortices. (Road & Track, Chasing Cars)
Older models feature removable fog-light bezels that owners swap for ducted brake-cooling or cold-air feeds. (Car and Driver)

Removal Steps

Removal Steps

1. Open the hood and pop out 9-11 plastic push-clips along the top edge.
2. Unscrew two 10 mm bolts and more clips in each wheel well.
3. Remove the lower splash-shield fasteners.
4. Pull the cover outward at the fender seams, unplug fog-light wiring, and lift the skin away. (YouTube, ken-gilbert.com, TikTok)
   Reverse the order to reinstall. Keep fasteners in labeled bags so nothing is lost.

Repair & Paint

Repair & Paint

Scuffs under 1 mm deep can be sanded with 320-grit, cleaned, and sprayed with adhesion promoter made for PP or TPO plastics. (3M, 3M Multimedia)
Cracks near tabs need a two-part urethane plastic repair compound on both sides. Sand, prime with flexible primer, then color-coat and clear-coat; allow full cure before reinstalling. (3M, 3M)
Always add a flexible additive to the paint so it can bend without peeling.

Care Tips

Care Tips

* Wash bugs and road salt quickly; PP can stain if contaminants sit too long.
* Use pH-neutral soap and a microfiber towel to avoid scratches.
* Wax or ceramic coat for UV protection; unpainted black cladding benefits from trim restorer.
* Check clips after gravel-road drives; missing fasteners let the cover flutter at speed.

Recycling

Recycling

Damaged bumper skins are not trash-PP can be ground, cleaned, and remolded into new auto parts. U.S. recyclers like Ultra-Poly and MBA Polymers run bumper-specific programs that divert thousands of covers from landfills each year. (Recycling Today, Recycling Today)
Recycling PP saves about 50 % of the carbon footprint versus virgin plastic. (Recycling Today)

Upgrades

Upgrades

* Lightweight aluminum crash beams cut 20+ lb from the nose and can improve small-overlap strength if properly engineered. (NASIOC, Oswald Performance)
* Aftermarket bumper skins with larger ducts fit bigger intercoolers but may sacrifice fog lights or parking sensors. Always test-fit before paint. (COBB Tuning)
* Lip spoilers, canards, and splitters bolt to the lower edge of the cover for extra downforce at track events.

Damage Clues

Damage Clues

* Cover sits uneven or gaps at fender → broken clips.
* Paint spider-cracks → impact stretched plastic.
* Cover feels loose at highway speed → missing lower splash-shield screws.
* Headlights flicker after a tap → wiring harness pinched behind fascia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What plastic is a WRX bumper cover made from?
A: Most WRX covers are polypropylene (PP), a tough plastic that can flex without cracking. Some early models use ABS. (NASIOC, NASIOC)

Q: Can I swap a 2018 bumper skin onto my 2021 WRX?
A: Yes. 2015-2021 front covers share attachment points, but check for different fog-light or sensor cut-outs. (Reddit)

Q: Is the foam behind the cover important?
A: Yes. The foam absorbs crash energy at low speeds. Leaving it out can raise repair costs and injury risk. (Reddit)

Q: Do I need special paint?
A: Use flexible primer and paint additives plus an adhesion promoter designed for PP/TPO plastics so the finish won't flake. (3M, 3M Multimedia)

Q: How high should the bumper be off the ground?
A: U.S. rules set the impact line between 16 and 20 inches for passenger cars, and the WRX design falls inside that range. (eCFR, NHTSA)

Q: Can I repair a cracked bumper skin?
A: Small tears near the edge can be mended with two-part plastic repair adhesive, but large splits may cost more to fix than a replacement skin. (3M)

Q: Why does the 2022+ WRX have black cladding on the bumper?
A: Engineers say the textured plastic trims turbulent air and protects paint from gravel while echoing Subaru's crossover styling. (Road & Track, Chasing Cars)

Q: Will removing the bumper hurt airflow?
A: Driving without it can raise under-hood temps and expose the intercooler to debris, so keep a cover installed on public roads. (COBB Tuning)

Q: Is the bumper cover a structural part?
A: No. The strength comes from the beam and frame rails; the cover is cosmetic and aerodynamic, but it must stay attached for safety systems to work. (I-CAR Tech Support Portal)

Q: Can bumper covers be recycled?
A: Yes. Specialized recyclers turn used PP skins into new auto plastics, cutting waste and carbon emissions. (Recycling Today, Recycling Today)

Ready to source, fit, repair, or recycle your Subaru WRX bumper cover, you now have the key facts, rules, and tips to act with confidence.