Subaru WRX

290 complaints across 8 scored model years and 17 recall campaigns.

Which years to avoid

Ownership label · Subaru WRX Full report

Grade 2013–2021

2018 vs model median 2.6×

Model median3× median

Electrical 8

Steering 6

Engine 4

Avoid

2017 · 2018

Best

2020 · 2021

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Severity-weighted complaint volume and grade by model year for the Subaru WRX
Year	vs median	Reports	Grade
2013	0.52×	10	B
2015	1.76×	39	D
2016	0.81×	20	B
2017	2.48×	43	F
2018	2.63×	40	F
2019	1.19×	27	C
2020	0.73×	16	B
2021	0.81×	20	B
2022 P	1.50×	36	C
2024 P	0.48×	15	A

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What it costs to run

EPA figures for the most recent model year on record.

EPA fuel economy and drivetrain
Combined MPG	21.5
City / Highway	18.5 / 25.5
Engine	2.4L, 4 cyl
Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Annual fuel cost	$3,525

Recalls

17 campaigns on record.

Recall campaigns, largest first
Campaign	Component	Model years	Units affected
19V149000	EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH	2013	1,303,530
14V311000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	2013	461,338
19V009000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2013	452,630
19V008000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2013	330,120
20V001000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2013	258,813
14V830000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC	2013	200,064
21V587000	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	2018, 2019	175,968
20V002000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2013	127,547

+ 9 further campaigns

Others in Sports Cars

Same body and size class. Each grade describes that model against its own history — these are not ranked against each other.

Other models in the same segment
Model	Years to avoid	Grade
Chevrolet Camaro	none flagged	C
Chevrolet Corvette	20172019	C
Dodge Challenger	20102012	C
Ford Mustang	20122014	C
Hyundai Genesis Coupe	none flagged	C
Nissan 370Z	2010	B
Scion FR-S	none flagged	C
Volkswagen EOS	none flagged	C

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2018 WRX

Complaints in window: 40
Severity-weighted: 89.5
Model median (weighted): 34
vs model median: 2.63×
Recall campaigns (weighted): 2
Open investigations: 0

Score 29.2 F