Subaru WRX Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 Subaru WRX, which post complaint index scores of 80, 100, 93, and 87, the highest in the lineup. The 2014 WRX is the Best-rated year, with a complaint index of only 20 and 6 total complaints.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 306
- Recall campaigns
- 20
- Crashes reported
- 23
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Engine
WRX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru WRX problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 11 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 52 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 53 | 8 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 93 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 60 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 40 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 87 | 25 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 47 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 73 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 21.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | No verdict | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 21.5 | 5★ |
WRX years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 Subaru WRX Index 100 · 53 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2017 WRX has the worst complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 53 complaints, 8 crashes, 7 injuries, and 2 fires. Electrical System problems were most common at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 48,000. Engine issues followed at 26%, median mileage 32,000, and Transmission & Powertrain problems at 21%, median mileage 42,421. Owners reported steering wheel lockups and brake failures tied to crashes. Only one recall, for the backup light switch, applies to this year.
2018 Subaru WRX Index 93 · 42 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2018 WRX carries a complaint index of 93 from 42 complaints, including 5 crashes, 2 injuries, and 1 fire. Electrical System and Engine problems each account for 26% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 14,500 and 9,000 respectively. Fuel System and Steering issues each make up 17%. Two recalls apply: the backup light switch fix (22V522000) and a low-pressure fuel pump replacement (21V587000) shared with several other Subaru models.
2022 Subaru WRX Index 87 · 25 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2022 WRX has a complaint index of 87 from 25 complaints, with 3 crashes and 1 fire reported. Engine problems dominate, making up 60% of all complaints for the year. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 16% and Electrical System for 12%. One recall, 23V016000, corrected incorrect owner's manual instructions for the Eyesight High Beam Assist feature. Owners also described airbags failing to deploy in low-speed collisions.
2015 Subaru WRX Index 80 · 52 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 WRX logged 52 complaints and a complaint index of 80, with 2 crashes and 1 fire reported. Engine and transmission issues each made up 35% of complaints, with engine failures showing a median mileage of 86,000 and transmission problems surfacing around 23,000 miles. Electrical System complaints, including backup light switch corrosion covered by recall 22V522000, appeared at a median mileage of 15,490. A separate recall addressed turbocharger air intake duct failures on vehicles built between April and October 2015.
2015 engine problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Subaru WRX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine96 (31%)
- Electrical System74 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (21%)
- Other48 (16%)
- Fuel System24 (8%)
- Brakes20 (7%)
- Steering20 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers19 (6%)
- Airbags16 (5%)
- Structure & Body15 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Subaru WRX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 WRX have the highest complaint index scores (80, 100, 93, and 87), making them the years to avoid relative to other WRX model years.
- Which Subaru WRX year is the best?
- The 2014 WRX is rated Best, with a complaint index of just 20 and only 6 total complaints across 2010-2025 data.
- Is the 2017 Subaru WRX reliable?
- The 2017 WRX has the worst complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 53 complaints, 8 crashes, and 7 injuries reported to NHTSA, so it ranks as the least favorable year among WRX model years.
- Does the Subaru WRX have engine problems?
- Engine issues are the top problem area across all WRX years, accounting for 96 complaints, or 31% of the total 306 complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Are there Subaru WRX recalls to know about?
- NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns across WRX model years 2010-2025, including a backup light switch recall covering 2015-2021 vehicles and a low-pressure fuel pump recall covering 2018-2019 WRX vehicles.