Subaru WRX years to avoid
Every Subaru WRX model year on file (2015-2024), ranked worst to best by severity index - the share of owner complaints that report a crash, fire, injury or fatality.
2017
Worst year on file
105.2
Severity index
Electrical System
Most-reported system
2019
Cleanest year on file
Ranked worst to best
| # | Model year | Severity | Complaints | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017 Subaru WRX | 105.2 High | 53 | Electrical System |
| 2 | 2018 Subaru WRX | 72.5 Medium | 42 | Engine |
| 3 | 2022 Subaru WRX | 63.2 Medium | 25 | Engine |
| 4 | 2020 Subaru WRX | 62.4 Medium | 17 | Electrical System |
| 5 | 2016 Subaru WRX | 57.4 Medium | 34 | Electrical System |
| 6 | 2015 Subaru WRX | 54.6 Medium | 52 | Engine |
| 7 | 2021 Subaru WRX | 53.9 Medium | 13 | Power Train |
| 8 | 2024 Subaru WRX | 53.9 Medium | 13 | Unknown Or Other |
| 9 | 2019 Subaru WRX | 46.9 Medium | 30 | Electrical System |
A high rank here means a larger share of this year's complaints described a crash, fire or injury - not that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and not a reliability or repair-cost rating. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold.
Subaru WRX complaints and recalls by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crashes | Fires | Severity | Most-reported system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 52 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 54.6 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2016 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 57.4 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2017 | 53 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 105.2 High | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2018 | 42 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 72.5 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2019 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 46.9 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2020 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 62.4 Medium | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| 2021 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53.9 Medium | POWER TRAIN |
| 2022 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 63.2 Medium | ENGINE |
| 2024 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53.9 Medium | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs. Complaint counts are not normalised by units sold; a high-volume seller will attract more filings than a rare trim.