2018 Subaru WRX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 14%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,532miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Subaru WRX, 14% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,532 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The transmission began leaking fluid and has experienced slippage while driving. I took the vehicle to Hendrick Subaru in Feb. 2023 for diagnostics and was told the leak was unserviceable and needed replacement. I was told they detected minor slippage at the time. It is now June 2023 and the dealer is telling me that the transmission is not going to be replaced, but rather resealed and they are now claiming there is no record of it ever slipping and they cannot replicate it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11527400, filed 2023-06“When accelerating from a stop, the car is having trouble accelerating despite having the accelerator fully depressed. The engine sounds like it is roaring, but hardly any power is being produced. When the vehicle hits about 35-40mph, the engine surges and then full power is produced. It feels like potentially an issue with the turbo or the transmsission. This is creating a significant safety hazard as the vehicle is behaving unpredictable and could lead to an accident when having to accelerate into traffic or merge. …”
NHTSA complaint #11674850, filed 2025-07Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017444Apr 22, 2025This bulletin announces design changes made to the rear axle hubs. These changes have been implemented to reduce cases water intrusion further leading to harmonic, humming, and…
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 11000817May 13, 2024This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10241822Aug 14, 2023This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10232240Feb 28, 2023This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed.
- 10219494Aug 26, 2022WRE-22 Backup lamp switch failure safety recall
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 21% |
| 2023 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 4 | 16% |
| 2021 | 6 | 46% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 21% |
| 2016 | 4 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 35% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 86% |
| 2009 | 33 | 80% |
| 2008 | 48 | 74% |
| 2006 | 4 | 29% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2018 Subaru WRX
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Subaru WRX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology