Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2002. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2026.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 WRX | 14 | 0 |
| 2023 WRX | 9 | 1 |
| 2022 WRX | 25 | 1 |
| 2021 WRX | 13 | 1 |
| 2020 WRX | 17 | 1 |
| 2019 WRX | 30 | 2 |
| 2018 WRX | 43 | 2 |
| 2017 WRX | 53 | 1 |
| 2016 WRX | 31 | 3 |
| 2015 WRX | 52 | 3 |
| 2014 WRX | 6 | 10 |
| 2013 WRX | 7 | 11 |
| 2012 WRX | 2 | 12 |
| 2011 WRX | 4 | 11 |
| 2010 | 1 | 12 |
| 2009 WRX | 41 | 10 |
| 2008 WRXMost complaints | 65 | 7 |
| 2007 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 WRX | 14 | 3 |
| 2005 WRX | 19 | 4 |
| 2004 WRX | 42 | 4 |
| 2003 WRXMost complaints | 60 | 1 |
| 2002 WRXMost complaints | 427 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Fuel system, gasoline318
- Power train174
- Engine106
- Service brakes, hydraulic87
- Electrical system71
- Unknown or other66
- Structure54
- Service brakes53
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 131 WRX vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 87 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 |
| 2020 | 18 | 12 |
| 2019 | 13 | 8 |
| 2018 | 22 | 15 |
| 2017 | 21 | 14 |
| 2016 | 24 | 19 |
| 2015 | 20 | 12 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 13 model-year variants; 8 of 8 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2027 SUBARU WRX 4 DR ICE AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2026 | 2026 SUBARU WRX 4 DR N/A AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2025 | 2025 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2024 | 2024 SUBARU WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2023 | 2023 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2022 | 2022 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.0 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.1 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 10.1 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 13 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.8–11.2 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | WRX AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.4 | 9.0 | 10.9 |
| 2025 | WRX AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.4 | 9.0 | 10.9 |
| 2024 | WRX AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 9.0 | 10.8 |
| 2023 | WRX AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 9.0 | 10.8 |
| 2022 | WRX AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 9.0 | 10.8 |
| 2021 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.7 | 8.7 | 10.4 |
| 2020 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10.1 |
| 2019 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| 2018 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| 2017 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| 2016 | WRX · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.4 | 10.0 |
| 2015 | WRX · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.1 | 8.3 | 9.8 |
| 2012 | WRX AWD · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.6 | 9.5 | 11.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
1,926 WRX cars are on the New Zealand register; 38% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2025 | 71 | 71 | 0 |
| 2024 | 69 | 69 | 0 |
| 2023 | 131 | 130 | 1 |
| 2022 | 142 | 139 | 2 |
| 2021 | 70 | 70 | 0 |
| 2020 | 59 | 56 | 3 |
| 2019 | 88 | 73 | 14 |
| 2018 | 128 | 101 | 25 |
| 2017 | 142 | 85 | 55 |
| 2016 | 263 | 120 | 143 |
| 2015 | 338 | 122 | 215 |
| 2014 | 335 | 122 | 213 |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2011 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the United Kingdom
1,550 WRX cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 91 | 13 |
| 2017 | 284 | 30 |
| 2016 | 293 | 46 |
| 2015 | 249 | 39 |
| 2014 | 297 | 67 |
| 2013 | 46 | 25 |
| 2012 | 111 | 36 |
| 2011 | 108 | 53 |
| 2010 | 68 | 27 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
1,387 WRX cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 91% passed first time, against 76% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 310 | 93% |
| 2016 | 331 | 92% |
| 2015 | 281 | 90% |
| 2014 | 350 | 91% |
| 2011 | 115 | 81% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | WRX | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.5% | 7.9% |
| Tyres | 2.2% | 6.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.2% | 2.1% |
| Brakes | 1.9% | 5.1% |
| Visibility | 1.3% | 3.9% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.8% | 1.9% |
| Suspension | 0.6% | 6.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
2,661 new Subaru WRX cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2014 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (3).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 142 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 1 | — |
| 2019 | 162 | 258 (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 682 | 257 (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 495 | 248 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 435 | — |
| 2015 | 468 | — |
| 2014 | 414 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the WRX in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The Electronic Park Brake (EPB) may not operate as intended. This can lead to the vehicle moving or rolling away whilst in the park brake mode, creating a risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveilla…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
23 campaigns cover the WRX; the latest 12 are below.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 WRX vehicles equipped with the "Eyesight" feature. The owner's manual may contain incorrect instructions for adjusting the sensitivity of the High Beam Assist function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
NHTSA recalls