2018 Subaru WRX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 11 of 44 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 53 in 2017 to 44 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–4,100 | 3,350–4,100 | 3,350–4,300 | 3,350–4,100 | 3,350–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–23 | 19–23 | 18–23 | 19–23 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 23–27 | 17–20 / 23–27 | 16–21 / 22–27 | 17–21 / 22–27 | 16–21 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 385–459 | 385–458 | 383–477 | 383–476 | 382–485 | |
| Complaints filed | 34 | 53 | 44 | 31 | 17 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru WRX have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Subaru WRX?
Engine: 11 of 44 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Subaru WRX get?
EPA rates it 18–23 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Subaru WRX?
EPA estimates $3,350–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 383 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 420 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 471 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 477 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 22V522000 · Jul 21, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 21V587000 · Jul 30, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.