Subaru WRX years to avoid
More than twice the WRX's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Subaru WRX years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Subaru WRX complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Subaru WRX problems
All model years combined.
- Fuel system393
- Transmission175
- Brakes155
- Engine134
- Electrical72
- Body54
- Visibility30
- Airbags25
- Steering23
- Acceleration20
- Suspension19
- Lights12
Most reported problems on the Subaru WRX
Subaru WRX problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | - | 1 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | - | 3 | Electrical | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | - | 14 | Transmission | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | - | 9 | Airbags | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2022 | 72 | 25 | Engine | 1 | 3 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2021 | 86 | 13 | Transmission | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 81 | 18 | Electrical | 14,000 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 68 | 30 | Electrical | 29,500 | 2 | 0 | Fewest complaints |
| 2018 | 51 | 43 | Engine | 14,500 | 2 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 38 | 53 | Electrical | 36,000 | 1 | 8 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 66 | 31 | Electrical | 30,000 | 3 | 1 | Fewest complaints |
| 2015 | 48 | 52 | Engine | 34,500 | 3 | 2 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 86 | 6 | Brakes | 34,000 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 85 | 7 | Transmission | 10,500 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 89 | 2 | Acceleration | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2011 | 87 | 4 | Brakes | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2010 | 89 | 1 | Body | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | 51 | 41 | Transmission | 72,000 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 36 | 65 | Transmission | 80,000 | 7 | 0 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 84 | 14 | Engine | 66,870 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 78 | 19 | Fuel system | 48,000 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 54 | 42 | Fuel system | 69,990 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 33 | 60 | Brakes | 23,800 | 1 | 13 | Avoid |
| 2002 | 5 | 427 | Fuel system | 40,000 | 1 | 17 | Avoid |
Recalls 23
Questions about the Subaru WRX
What years of the Subaru WRX should you avoid?
2002, 2003, 2008, 2015 and 2017. Each has more than twice the Subaru WRX's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2002 alone has 427, mostly about fuel system and brakes.
What is the best year for a used Subaru WRX?
2022, 2019 and 2016 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (25, 30 and 31).
What is the most common problem with the Subaru WRX?
Fuel system, with 393 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (175) and brakes (155).
How many recalls does the Subaru WRX have?
23 recalls between 2002 and 2026. The 2012 model year has the most, with 12.
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