2018 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners most often reported electrical system and engine problems, with 2 recalls covering backup light switches and fuel pumps.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 42
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2018 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (26%)
- Engine11 (26%)
- Other8 (19%)
- Fuel System7 (17%)
- Steering7 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (10%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (7%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel reportedly seized without warning after shifting gears, causing loss of control at low speed.
- Multiple check engine and warning lights illuminated together, sometimes with a crankshaft/camshaft position code and reduced power.
- Cylinder misfire reported with ring land and piston damage along with a destroyed spark plug.
- Engine knocking noise appeared during normal driving, with a warranty claim later denied by the dealer.
- Vehicle stuttered and fluctuated in speed when the A/C ran in hot weather, described as the turbo engaging erratically.
- Windshields cracked on their own along the top edge during driving or overnight without any impact.
2018 Subaru WRX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Electrical System59,934 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch
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 in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
- NHTSA 21V587000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System175,968 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
2018 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 WRX a complaint index of 95, the second-highest among the 21 WRX model years tracked, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other WRX years.
- What problems does the 2018 Subaru WRX have?
- The top problem areas are the Electrical System and Engine, each with 11 complaints (26% share), followed by Fuel System and Steering at 7 complaints each (17% share).
- Does the 2018 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 WRX: one for a corroding backup light switch (campaign 22V522000) and one for a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail (campaign 21V587000).
- How does the 2018 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2018 WRX ranks second-worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95, behind only the 2017 model at 100. Better-rated years include 2005, 2006, and 2021, each rated Good.
- At what mileage do 2018 WRX problems tend to show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 14,500 miles, with Engine complaints reported at a median of 9,000 miles and Fuel System complaints at 25,875 miles.