Subaru WRX Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru WRX model year (2012–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru WRX Years to Avoid
1 recall · 51 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 68
3 recalls · 52 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 63
2 recalls · 40 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 50
Best Subaru WRX Years to Buy
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 1
1 recall · 6 complaints
Main area: SUSPENSION
Problem score: 9
Found the right year? Verify that specific WRX with a free VIN report.
Subaru WRX — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 12 | 12 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 6 | 9 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 22 | 25 | Caution |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | 15 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 17 | 22 | Good |
| 2019 | 2 | 27 | 33 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 40 | 50 | Avoid |
| 2017 | 1 | 51 | 68 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 3 | 34 | 43 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 52 | 63 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 10 | 6 | 36 | Caution |
| 2013 | 11 | 7 | 40 | Caution |
| 2012 | 12 | 2 | 38 | Caution |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Subaru WRX Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent WRX models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade WRX units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder WRX models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report. Confirm all historical recalls have been completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year WRX should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2017 Subaru WRX if possible. It has 1 recall, 51 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is POWER TRAIN. The overall problem score is 68 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year WRX to buy?+
The 2026 Subaru WRX is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which WRX has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2023 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru WRX Research
Check a Specific Subaru WRX VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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