2018 Subaru WRX Problems
Compared with other Subaru WRX years
Typical for this model
64/100 1.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.4× that of a typical Subaru WRX year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 17 of its 43 complaints were filed by the end of 2020.
- Most reported part: Engine (12 complaints, median 9,000 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 14,500miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Subaru WRX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2018 Subaru WRX. The part named most often is engine, with 12 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system (10) and other or unknown (8). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 95% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 348 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 28 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 162 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 7 Subaru WRX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 64 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine12 28%
- Electrical system10 23%
- Other or unknown8 19%
- Fuel system7 16%
- Steering7 16%
- Air bags3 7.0%
- Wheels3 7.0%
- Brakes1 2.3%
Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “When driving my 2018 Subaru WRX premium in the heat with the A/C on it is causing extreme driving conditions with the car stuttering causing fluctuation in speed with the car dragging then propelling dramatically due to the turbo engaging. The erratic change in the performance of the car is not normal and is cause for attention from the manufacturer. I was driving on the freeway and this pulled such an extreme drain on the cars electrical system and cooling system it almost made my car overheat in the middle of fast moving traffic. My car is well maintained and driven responsibly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11354086, filed 2020-09, 50,000 milesElectrical system: “Battery drained even though I left no lights on and has happened multiple times. Had to replace battery twice in less than a year. Had battery tested and it was good. Had to jump my car multiple times for dead battery while at work. Vehicle was parked in a parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11416770, filed 2021-05, 43,065 milesOther or unknown: “The wheels locked while driving on a clear december day (I don't have exact day) on a winding mountain road full of cliffs. 38 MPH and feet from going off a cliff Subaru say electronic module failed then in another statement from hak at Subaru america they say the two occurrences not related even though they happened simultaneously. We took the car in because of the wheel locking up while moving and they discovered the electronic failure. They maintain the car is safe to drive because they can't recreate the problem . …”
NHTSA complaint #11170277, filed 2019-01, 24,500 milesFuel system: “This issue occurs on acceleration , most noticeable when merging onto freeway from on ramp 1/2 throttle , the vehicle starts to accelerate normal then hits around 4200 RPM and the boost gauge goes nuts fluctuating up and down and the vehicle looses power , hesitates , surges ( like a flat spot ) then finally gets a little higher in RPM and it will pick up again through the rest of RPM gauge , most noticeable in lower gears ( mines a 6 speed manual , I have taken the car to dealer on 5/30/18 with 1380 miles on the odometer , huffines Subaru denton texas , tony the service manager drove my car…”
NHTSA complaint #11104249, filed 2018-06, 1,750 milesMileage when problems were reported
95% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,920 and 29,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Subaru WRX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| WRX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
| WRX AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Exterior lighting › Back up lights › SwitchCovers: Subaru WRX 2015–2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is…
- 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Subaru WRX 2018–2019, Outback 2018–2020, Legacy 2018–2020 +5 more
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Recall details for the 2018 Subaru WRX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 348 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
Other model years of the Subaru WRX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 150 | 0 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 9 | — | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 25 | 19,800 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 13 | — | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 18 | 9,600 | 1 | 5 | 21 | — | Stable |
| 2019 | 30 | 27,250 | 2 | — | 21 | 33 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2018 | 43 | 14,500 | 2 | — | 21 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2017 | 53 | 36,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 31 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 21 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 52 | 31,250 | 3 | — | 21 | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 6 | 34,000 | 10 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 7 | 10,500 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 41 | 71,327 | 10 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 65 | 80,000 | 7 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2006 | 14 | 66,870 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 48,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2004 | 42 | 69,990 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 60 | 23,800 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 427 | 40,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru WRX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Subaru WRX have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 2018 Subaru WRX as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Subaru WRX is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 12 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system with 10.
Has the 2018 Subaru WRX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru WRX get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Subaru WRX (WRX, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Subaru WRX reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,500 miles and the middle half falls between 6,920 and 29,000 miles; 95% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.