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Light NHTSA footprint — 42 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2018 Subaru WRX has 42 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 32,688 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 WRX | 52 | 3 |
| 2016 WRX | 34 | 3 |
| 2017 WRX | 53 | 1 |
| 2018 WRX (this page) | 42 | 2 |
| 2019 WRX | 30 | 2 |
| 2020 WRX | 17 | 1 |
| 2021 WRX | 13 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 12,009 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Vehicle mileage was 7387 miles. While driving several check engine lights illuminated including traction control, check engine light, ABS, hill decent assist, cruise control icon flashing. Vehicle power was dramatically reduced. Made appointment next day with Subaru dealership.…
The front passenger door was slammed on my 2018 Subaru wrx. This caused all of the side airbags to deploy- including the airbag in the passenger seat. The vehicle was stopped with the engine on. There was no impact aside from the door being slammed from the outside. This…
Tl* the contact's son owns a 2018 Subaru wrx. While making a left turn at 25 MPH, the front driver side wheel remained in a turned position after the driver attempted to straighten the vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree. The air bags failed…
Unknown. I am unsure of the issue. However, there is an issue. & it is very dangerous... This has happend about 5, or 6 times now. Sometimes when I am making a turn (I believe it is related to the braking), My steering wheel locks up (as if the key isn't in the ignition). It…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Subaru WRX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
On the NHTSA data, the 2018 Subaru WRX does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,688 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 42 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 32,688 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 32,688 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 32,688 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 42 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.