Model year 2018 · Compact Cars

2018 Subaru WRX: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Subaru WRX at 18–23 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

2

EPA combined mpg

18–23

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as WRX STI.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Subaru WRX recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Subaru WRX, newest first.

Exterior lighting: Back up lights: Switch

NHTSA 22V522000 Reported Jul 21, 2022
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRE-22)
Units affected
59,934 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump

NHTSA 21V587000 Reported Jul 29, 2021
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRG-21)
Units affected
175,968 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Subaru WRX fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Subaru WRX EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
WRX2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel DrivePremium21/27/23 mpg$3,550383
WRX2.0L 4-cyl turboCVT (8 modes)All-Wheel DrivePremium18/24/21 mpg$3,900420
WRX2.5L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel DrivePremium17/22/19 mpg$4,350471
WRX STI Type RA2.5L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel DrivePremium16/22/18 mpg$4,550477

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Subaru WRX crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Subaru WRX NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2018 Subaru WRX 4 DR AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Subaru WRX owner complaints

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru WRX, most recently on Oct 2, 2026. 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Subaru WRX complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine12
Electrical system10
Unknown or other8
Steering7
Fuel/propulsion system6
Power train6
Air bags4
Visibility/wiper4
Wheels3
Exterior lighting2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Subaru WRX model years

Subaru WRX by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 WRX21–22 mpg015/5
2025 WRX21–22 mpg035/5
2024 WRX21–22 mpg0145/5
2023 WRX21–22 mpg195/5
2022 WRX21–22 mpg1255/5
2021 WRX18–23 mpg1135/5
2020 WRX19–23 mpg1185/5
2019 WRX19–23 mpg231—
2017 WRX19–23 mpg153—
2016 WRX19–23 mpg334—
2015 WRX19–24 mpg351—

All Subaru WRX years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Subaru models

2018 Subaru BRZ2018 Subaru Crosstrek2018 Subaru Forester2018 Subaru Impreza2018 Subaru Legacy2018 Subaru Outback

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Subaru.