Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Subaru WRX: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Subaru WRX. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD | 23 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 19 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Engine rod bearing failure
32,000–67,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Subaru WRX, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Batteries go dead after the car sits, sometimes only briefly, leaving it unable to start. Several reports describe a parasitic drain that continues after one or two new batteries, with no warning lights and no fault found by the dealer. A separate problem has the reverse lights and backup camera switching on while the car moves forward, even after a repair. Other filings mention a failing fuel pump and reverse switch, plus stuttering and surging with the A/C on in hot weather.
Rod bearing failure is the dominant pattern. Owners describe knocking, smoke, a sudden loss of power while driving, and in one case a broken rod punching a hole in the engine, with full engine replacement as the fix. Reported failures occur at 32,000 and 67,000 miles. Other filings cover a crankshaft and camshaft correlation fault with warning lights and sharply reduced power at low mileage, and a leaking high-pressure fuel pipe flagged as a fire hazard. Two of the 8 filings were withdrawn and contain no details.
Lockups in the middle of a turn leave drivers unable to straighten the car, and several end in crashes. Of 7 complaints, 5 involve crashes and 2 report injuries, including cars hitting a tree and jumping a curb. Three of the crash filings describe the same incident submitted repeatedly, so the number of separate events is smaller than the count suggests. Some drivers link the lockup to braking or a stability system intervening. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, and one report puts the failure near 3,000 miles.
Clutch slipping on manual cars leaves the car revving without moving, stranded in traffic. Owners blame the throw-out bearing and fork, which fail again after replacement; two of these filings are duplicates, and one is flagged as fire-related. On CVT cars, a reported problem is weak acceleration from a stop with the engine roaring, then a surge near 35 to 40 mph, after several transmission replacements. Other reports describe boost fluctuating and power dropping around 4200 rpm, and transmission fluid leaks with slippage.
Windshields crack with no visible impact, often while driving on the highway or after a cold night. Cracks can start along the top edge and spread until the glass needs replacing. In at least one case, Subaru declined to cover the cost. No crash or injury is reported in this category, but a spreading crack across the driver's view is a visibility hazard and an added expense for whoever owns the car.
Raw gasoline fumes fill the cabin, strongest near the rear seat on the driver's side and worse at idle. The smell is strong enough to cause dizziness and headaches. Technicians confirm the odor, but smoke and pressure tests find no leak, and replacing the evaporative canister, purge valve, and fuel check valve does not fix it. The only other filing concerns a possible fuel pump failure that the owner says they had not been told about.
Excerpts from complaints WRX owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
2/17/2026 Mileage 96,000 Subaru case number Case # 260217-2101937 Vehicle intermittently indicates reverse gear while driving forward at speed. Backup camera activates and reverse lights illuminate while in forward motion. This condition matches NHTSA Recall 22V-522000. The recall repair was previously performed but the safety defect persists. Manufacturer was contacted and declined further repair despite active safety condition.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
Battery dies and vehicle is unable to start after short periods of being turned off. This has left me stranded in unsafe areas and can pose a major safety hazard. Vehicle has been inspected and no issues found by Subaru dealer. No warning lights or other notifications, vehicle simply does not start.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
Engine Failure rod bearing failure is extremely common. Can leave motorist in danger being stranded on the road. Subaru of America has inspected the engine but claims they are at not fault and refuse to assist. Investigate online how common the motor failure on a fa20dit motor is. I can tell you many owners who are on their 2nd to 3rd motor. This is extremely dangerous and I hope there is a resolution.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2024
Oil changes always done, no modifications to vehicle. Driving down road lights all come one and car starts smoking. Rod broke and put hole in engine.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 8 WRX years we cover, about 2.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the fourth model year of the WRX's fourth generation (2015–2021).
It includes the 2017 update.
What changed for 2017
Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Subaru WRX, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
