Subaru WRX years to avoid
The Subaru WRX years to avoid are 2002, 2008, 2017, 2015, 2009, 2003, 2018, 2004, 2019, 2016 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2007 is the cleanest year on record.
1,228
Total complaints
24
Recall campaigns
2002–2025
Years covered
10
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
WRX years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 461 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 119 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 73 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 73 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 72 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 65 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 62 | |
| 2004 | High complaint rate | 46 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 44 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 40 |
Every WRX year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2019avoid | 44 | 2 | |
| 2018avoid | 62 | 2 | |
| 2017avoid | 73 | 1 | |
| 2016avoid | 40 | 3 | |
| 2015avoid | 73 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 9 | 10 | |
| 2013 | 11 | 11 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 12 | |
| 2011 | 5 | 11 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 12 | |
| 2009avoid | 72 | 10 | |
| 2008avoid | 119 | 7 | |
| 2007 | 0 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 14 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 24 | 5 | |
| 2004avoid | 46 | 5 | |
| 2003avoid | 65 | 2 | |
| 2002avoid | 461 | 2 |
Common questions
What are the worst Subaru WRX years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the WRX years to avoid are 2002, 2008, 2017, 2015, 2009, 2003, 2018, 2004, 2019, 2016. The cleanest year on record is 2007.
What is the best year for the Subaru WRX?
By complaint volume, 2007 has the cleanest NHTSA record among WRX years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Subaru WRX have?
Across all model years, the WRX has 24 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,228 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.