2018 Subaru Wrx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (8) · Power Train (6) · Visibility/Wiper (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Wrx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch 2022-07-21 · campaign 22V522000 · 59,934 vehicles
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.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 2021-07-29 · campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (348)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 348 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-02 · Engine“on june 24, 2026, my stock 2018 subaru wrx limited experienced a sudden catastrophic internal engine failure at approximately 67,319 miles while i was driving. i first heard an intermittent ticking/noise under acceleration. within about two miles, the noise became much louder, followed by a loud pop, sudden loss of power, and smoke from the engine …”
2026-07-01 · Unknown Or Other“refused to change the rear catalyst due to a modification. i said i would return it back to the original factory tune and they said it was impossible and refused to do it. the tune physically wouldn’t stop them from changing the catalytic converter. they said that the ecu would let them. i can put the factory cid on the vehicle for the work to be…”
2026-06-06 · Unknown Or Other“ subaru orange coast and ocean subaru of fullerton refused to work on my recall due to my car has aftermarket parts not related to the recall. the dealership is very keen in extorting money to the naïve customers instead of fixing the safety issue with my car.…”
2026-02-17 · Visibility/Wiper“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 the safety defect persists. m…”
2025-08-26 · Engine“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. …”
2025-08-20 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 causes dizziness and headaches …”
2025-07-20 · Power Train“when accelerating from a stop, the car is having trouble accelerating despite having the accelerator fully depressed. the engine sounds like it is roaring, but hardly any power is being produced. when the vehicle hits about 35-40mph, the engine surges and then full power is produced. it feels like potentially an issue with the turbo or the transmsi…”
2025-03-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System“ i have been experiencing a strong fuel odor both inside and outside the cabin when starting the engine. after several months of experiencing this issue, i recently had my vehicle fully inspected by an authorized subaru dealership, and they confirmed a critical fuel leak issue. the dealership discovered that the high-pressure fuel pipe is leaking,…”
2024-09-12 · Unknown Or Other“cluth was replaced at a little over 50,000 miles and throw out bearing failed within 200 miles of the break in period. took it back to dealer and they found that the throw out bearing was faulty and they replaced it. a year later same sound that was heard after replacement came back (almost like a chirping sound), took the car in for them to examin…”
2024-09-01 · Service Brakes“fuel pump failing reverse switch failing …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.