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2018 Subaru WRX

Gas
Compact Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA44
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Subaru WRX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the WRX, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 44 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
WRXGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$3,350
WRXGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo182421$3,700
WRXGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl turbo172219$4,100
WRX STI Type RAGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl turbo162218$4,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38574, 38575, 38641, 39792.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Subaru WRX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Exterior Lighting

WRE-22
59,934 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskInoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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 campaign 22V522000reported Jul 21, 2022Subaru of America, Inc.
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

WRG-21
175,968 vehicles
ProblemSubaru 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.RiskFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V587000reported Jul 29, 2021Subaru of America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
44complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 4 · 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Engine11
Electrical System10
Unspecified8
Steering7
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Power Train6

What owners describe

“2/17/2026 Mileage 96,000 Subaru case number Case # 260217-2101937 Vehicle intermittently indicates reverse gear while driving forward at speed. Backup camera activates and reverse lights illuminate while in forward motion. This condition matches NHTSA Recall 22V-522000. The recall repair was previously performed but th…”Feb 17, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“Oil changes always done, no modifications to vehicle. Driving down road lights all come one and car starts smoking. Rod broke and put hole in engine.”Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“Shortly after purchase (within 1 month), a strong raw gasoline vapor odor began entering the passenger cabin, strongest near the driver’s side rear seat and rear wheel well area. The odor intensifies at idle and after short periods of driving, filling the interior cabin with fuel fumes. The smell is so strong that it…”Aug 20, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other WRX model years

A

2026 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2025 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2024 Subaru WRX

0 recalls · 13 complaints

A

2023 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 8 complaints

A

2022 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2021 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 13 complaints

A

2020 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 17 complaints

B

2019 Subaru WRX

2 recalls · 30 complaints

A

2017 Subaru WRX

1 recalls · 53 complaints

C

2016 Subaru WRX

3 recalls · 31 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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