Buy Subaru WRX Fender

Subaru's WRX front fender-also called a wing, mudguard, or wheel-arch panel-keeps road debris off the body, shapes airflow around the tire, and forms the car's wide, rally-inspired stance. Over more than 20 years of WRX production the fender has changed size, shape, and even metal, but owners still ask the same big questions: "Will it fit my year?" "How do I swap it?" "What paint code do I need?

Part Basics

A fender is the skin that wraps the wheel well from bumper to door. On a WRX it blocks stones, snow, and water that the tire throws up, helping protect the hood, headlights, and doors. Because it is a bolt-on panel, it is easier (and cheaper) to replace than welded body parts like a quarter panel. (Mechanic Base)

Model Years

• 2002-2007 (GD "Bugeye/Hawkeye") - Narrow steel fenders; popular for rally mud-flap clearance.
• 2008-2014 (GR/VA hatch & sedan) - Panel grows 15 mm wider; bumper-to-fender gap bulletin issued for 2008-2013 cars.
• 2015-2021 (VA sedan) - Same width as GR but sharper wheel-arch line; still stamped steel.
• 2022-present (VB) - Front fenders switch to aluminum, trimming 5 lb from the nose. (MotorWeek)

Size & Shape

A typical 2017 sedan is 1,795 mm (71 in) wide; the fender lip sits just outside that track. (CarsGuide) The new VB body is up to 1,825 mm wide, so its arch flares slightly more than earlier cars for larger factory wheels. (CarsGuide)

Materials

• Steel - Strong, easy to repair, but can rust where bumper plastic rubs paint. (NASIOC)
• Aluminum (2022+) - Saves weight and resists corrosion, yet needs special tools to straighten. (MotorWeek)
• ABS or FRP over-fenders - After-market flare kits widen the arch by 10-40 mm for rally or stance builds. (Speedhunters)

Common Damage

Low-speed bumps bend the thin outer lip; parking-lot taps crease the top ridge. Winter salt plus trapped mud behind the liner can start bubbling paint along the bumper seam, a known WRX rust spot. (NASIOC) Subaru issued a bulletin on bumper-to-fender gaps because loose brackets could peel paint on 2008-2013 models.

Safety Links

The fender itself is not structural, but correct alignment keeps bumper energy absorbers and head-lamp mounts in place. IIHS small-overlap tests show a Good rating when body gaps are within spec. (IIHS) Always torque the upper rail bolts to spec after a swap.

Cost Guide

Online owners report $200-$300 for a used steel panel and about $500-$700 painted and installed at a body shop. (Reddit) Industry guides list $250-$5,000 for repair or replacement depending on damage level and paint blending. (Mechanic Base) Labor averages 2-4 hours at normal shop rates.

Install Notes

A WRX fender is a true bolt-on: hood and door stay on. Steps (all years):

1. Remove plastic clips in the wheel-arch liner.
2. Unclip bumper tab from the square notch behind the wheel.
3. Take off head-lamp bolts and slide the lamp forward.
4. Undo the four 10 mm bolts along the top rail and two at the sill.
5. Lift the panel straight up to avoid scratching the A-pillar. (NASIOC)

Fit & Finish

Paint codes live on the VIN sticker low on the passenger-side B-pillar on most late-model Subarus. (Subaru Forester, Tech Info) Check the code before ordering to keep color match tight. After install, measure the bumper-to-fender seam; the NHTSA bulletin allows no more than a 2 mm gap.

Care Tips

• Rinse road salt weekly.
• Spray wax inside the wheel arch twice a year.
• Add neoprene tape where plastic bumper meets metal to stop paint rub. (NASIOC)

Upgrade Ideas

Wide-body flares, like 10 mm over-fenders for the VB chassis, bolt on with hidden screws and let you run 18 × 10.5 in wheels without rubbing. (Speedhunters) Rally builds often use plastic mudguards plus rolled lips for gravel clearance.

Keywords

Subaru WRX fender, WRX wing panel, front mudguard, wheel-arch sheet-metal, outer quarter (front), splash shield, fender liner, bumper-to-fender bracket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2004 fender fit a 2002 WRX?
A: Yes-2002-2003 "Bugeye" and 2004-2005 "Blobeye" share mounting holes, but the side-marker shape is different, so match the lamp style. (NASIOC)

Q: Are 2018 and 2020 fenders interchangeable?
A: Yes. All 2015-2021 VA sedans use the same steel fender stamping.

Q: Why did Subaru switch to aluminum in 2022?
A: To cut about five pounds from the nose and improve turn-in. (MotorWeek)

Q: Does the aluminum panel rust?
A: Aluminum corrodes differently; it can pit but will not form red oxide like steel. Keeping paint intact prevents pitting.

Q: What tools do I need to remove a fender?
A: 10 mm socket, trim-clip pliers, T-30 Torx (for some liner screws), and masking tape to guard paint. (NASIOC)

Q: How do I find my paint code?
A: Open the passenger door and look at the small white VIN sticker on the B-pillar; the code is a three-character mix of letters and numbers. (Subaru Forester)

Q: My bumper corner sticks out-what's wrong?
A: Subaru bulletin 12-141-12 says the side bracket may be loose; install the updated bracket and cushion tape.

Q: Is it safe to drive with a dented fender?
A: Yes if the tire clears and the head-lamp mount is solid, but sharp edges can cut the tire under suspension load.

Q: What's inside the fender?
A: A plastic liner, insulation pad near the A-pillar, and wiring for the side-marker lamp or EyeSight radar on newer cars.

Q: Can I reuse the 2022 vent garnish on a 2023 panel?
A: Yes-the black vent insert clips through the same holes on all VB models.

Q: Does a wider fender hurt aerodynamics?
A: Subaru added venting at the back edge of the VB arch to bleed high-pressure air and cut lift. (Le Guide de l'auto)

Q: How tight should the top bolts be?
A: Factory spec is roughly 7 ft-lb (10 N·m); overtightening can warp the thin metal.

Q: What is a "wing" in UK forums?
A: British owners call the front fender a "wing." It is the same part.

Q: Can I run without the plastic liner?
A: Not recommended; the liner blocks water from the door hinge area and keeps stones off the intercooler hoses.

Q: How do I stop new rust?
A: Sand to bare metal, apply rust-converter, prime, and repaint; then add foam tape at the bumper seam so plastic can't chafe the paint. (NASIOC)