Subaru Wrx Reliability
1,212 NHTSA complaints (2002–2025). Complaint rate: 44.3 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2002–2003 Subaru Wrx. The 2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Subaru Wrx Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 161 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 142 | 0.7% |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 129 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE | 102 | 2.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 73 | 23.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 64 | 7.8% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 60 | 3.3% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 52 | 11.5% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 51 | 3.9% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 50 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002AVOID | — | 461 | 20 | 2 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003AVOID | — | 65 | 16 | 3 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004 | — | 46 | 1 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2005 | — | 24 | 0 | — | View 2005View→ |
| 2006GOOD | — | 14 | 0 | — | View 2006View→ |
| 2008AVOID | — | 119 | 0 | 2 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009AVOID | — | 72 | 0 | — | View 2009View→ |
| 2010GOOD | — | 3 | 0 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 2011View→ |
| 2012GOOD | — | 4 | 0 | — | View 2012View→ |
| 2013GOOD | — | 11 | 1 | — | View 2013View→ |
| 2014GOOD | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2014View→ |
| 2015AVOID | — | 73 | 4 | 3 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016 | — | 40 | 1 | 2 | View 2016View→ |
| 2017AVOID | — | 72 | 19 | 5 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018AVOID | — | 61 | 13 | 1 | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 37 | 0 | — | View 2019View→ |
| 2020 | — | 23 | 3 | — | View 2020View→ |
| 2021 | — | 20 | 0 | — | View 2021View→ |
| 2022 | — | 31 | 2 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2023GOOD | — | 6 | 1 | — | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 15 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
See also: Subaru Wrxaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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