Subaru WRX Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru WRX model year (2002–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru WRX Years to Avoid
1 recall · 217 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Problem score: 234
6 recalls · 74 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 92
8 recalls · 37 complaints
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 61
Best Subaru WRX Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 1
0 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 4 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 7
Found the right year? Verify that specific WRX with a free VIN report.
Subaru WRX — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 7 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 24 | — | — | 27 | Good |
| 2021 | 0 | 11 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 13 | — | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 0 | 27 | — | — | 27 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 29 | 5 | — | 39 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 29 | 4 | — | 37 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 30 | — | — | 36 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 39 | — | — | 42 | Good |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | — | — | 24 | Good |
| 2013 | 7 | 9 | — | — | 30 | Good |
| 2012 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 25 | Good |
| 2011 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 21 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 24 | Good |
| 2009 | 8 | 37 | — | — | 61 | Good |
| 2008 | 6 | 74 | — | — | 92 | Caution |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 15 | Excellent |
| 2005 | 4 | 10 | — | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2004 | 4 | 28 | 2 | — | 44 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 30 | 1 | — | 35 | Good |
| 2002 | 1 | 217 | 7 | — | 234 | Avoid |
All 25 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru WRX Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent WRX models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 1 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year WRX should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2002 Subaru WRX if possible. It has 1 recall, 217 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 234 — 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 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which WRX has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2025, 2023 model years have the fewest documented problems. 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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