KnownCarProblems2018 Subaru Wrx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Wrx, most often about the engine (28% of complaints, typically around 9,000 miles). It is 6th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2018 Subaru Wrx problems
Engine
12 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles.
Vehicle mileage was 7387 miles. While driving several check engine lights illuminated including traction control, check engine light, ABS, hill decent assist, cruise control icon flashing. Vehicle power was dramatically reduced. Made appointment next day with Subaru dealership. I was informed code p0016 showed up on…
This issue occurs on acceleration , most noticeable when merging onto freeway from on ramp 1/2 throttle , the vehicle starts to accelerate normal then hits around 4200 RPM and the boost gauge goes nuts fluctuating up and down and the vehicle looses power , hesitates , surges ( like a flat spot ) then finally gets a…
Electrical
10 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Wrx. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked in the garage during the winter months and while attempting to drive the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact stated he charged the battery and he was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor…
Battery drained even though I left no lights on and has happened multiple times. Had to replace battery twice in less than a year. Had battery tested and it was good. Had to jump my car multiple times for dead battery while at work. Vehicle was parked in a parking lot.
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 19%Sunroof exploded driving on highway going roughly 65mph. The car was not driven for 2 days prior due to snow in the area, meaning 2 or 3 inches of snow was sitting on top of the car the previous two days. The night prior to the incident the temperature rose in the area to around 40 degree f. The morning of the…
Battery drained even though I left no lights on and has happened multiple times. Had to replace battery twice in less than a year. Had battery tested and it was good. Had to jump my car multiple times for dead battery while at work. Vehicle was parked in a parking lot.
Steering
7 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 14,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Wrx. While driving and after shifting the gear, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into some bushes. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Subaru of santa fe…
The contact's son owns a 2018 Subaru Wrx. While making a left turn at 25 MPH, the front driver side wheel remained in a turned position after the driver attempted to straighten the vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered a broken nose…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: delivery.
This issue occurs on acceleration , most noticeable when merging onto freeway from on ramp 1/2 throttle , the vehicle starts to accelerate normal then hits around 4200 RPM and the boost gauge goes nuts fluctuating up and down and the vehicle looses power , hesitates , surges ( like a flat spot ) then finally gets a…
When driving my 2018 Subaru Wrx premium in the heat with the A/C on it is causing extreme driving conditions with the car stuttering causing fluctuation in speed with the car dragging then propelling dramatically due to the turbo engaging. The erratic change in the performance of the car is not normal and is cause for…
Transmission
6 complaints · 14%This issue occurs on acceleration , most noticeable when merging onto freeway from on ramp 1/2 throttle , the vehicle starts to accelerate normal then hits around 4200 RPM and the boost gauge goes nuts fluctuating up and down and the vehicle looses power , hesitates , surges ( like a flat spot ) then finally gets a…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 9%The vehicle was in motion on a highway when the wind shield cracked along the most superior border of the windshield. There was nothing visible or audible that had caused the windshield to crack during my 10 minute commute. There was also little to no traffic. The crack was large enough that I had to replace the…
Woke up one day to my windshield having a smaller crack that was not there before. Was a cold night crack has spread, asked Subaru if they would cover the cost they didn't but its a known defect in Subaru
Air bags
3 complaints · 7%The contact's son owns a 2018 Subaru Wrx. While making a left turn at 25 MPH, the front driver side wheel remained in a turned position after the driver attempted to straighten the vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered a broken nose…
The front passenger door was slammed on my 2018 Subaru Wrx. This caused all of the side airbags to deploy- including the airbag in the passenger seat. The vehicle was stopped with the engine on. There was no impact aside from the door being slammed from the outside. This occurred in a parking lot.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Subaru Wrx recalls
Lights: switch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Subaru Wrx
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Wrx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (12 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints, typically around 14,500 miles); other or unspecified (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Wrx have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 21, 2022 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Subaru Wrx?
- It is 6th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints, with 43 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.