Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Subaru WRX?

No. The WRX has a clear edge. It drew about 5.9 complaints per 10,000 sold, while the Integra drew 28. The WRX also costs less to repair each year, at $682 against $801, and needs fewer unscheduled shop visits.

Which has more recalls, the Integra or the WRX?

The Integra has 9 recalls across 4 model years, while the WRX has 8 across 9 model years. The Integra's recalls are packed into a much shorter span, so each of its model years averages more recalls than the WRX's.

Which costs less to repair, the Integra or the WRX?

The WRX costs less. Independent repair-cost data shows $682 a year for the WRX and $801 for the Integra. Over five years that is roughly $595 saved. The WRX also visits the shop for unscheduled repairs 0.3 times a year against 0.7.

What is the most common Integra problem?

Steering. Owners filed 237 steering complaints. The wheel sticks or catches at highway speed, resists small corrections, then breaks free suddenly. Drivers describe swerving within the lane, and two reports are crash-linked. Most start between about 2,800 and 5,700 miles.

Does the WRX have battery drain problems?

Yes. Electrical complaints are mostly about batteries dying while the car sits, some within a day, with reports from about 1,000 to 25,000 miles. Dealers often find nothing or just replace the battery, and the drain returns. One owner traced a constant draw to the telematics unit.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX: Reliability Compared

Acura Integra

Good

More Reliable

Subaru WRX

Good

The Subaru WRX comes out clearly ahead of the Acura Integra on reliability. Owners filed far fewer complaints per car sold for the WRX. The Integra's steering problems, which can cause swerving on the highway, drive most of its complaints.

How Do the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX Generations Compare?

Most of the years a shopper will see on the WRX fall in two generations. The fourth generation (VA) covered US model years 2015 to 2021, with a facelift for 2017 and mid-model improvements in 2019. The weakest years here, 2018 and 2019, both sit in that generation. The fifth generation (VB) began with the 2022 model year. The strongest years, 2024 and 2026, are recent and have had less time to collect complaints. Treat them as promising rather than proven, and check the recall history of any specific car.

Verdict

The Subaru WRX is more reliable than the Acura Integra, scoring 75/100 vs 70/100.

Reliability favors the WRX by a clear margin. Owners filed far fewer complaints per car sold, about 5.9 per 10,000 against 28 for the Integra. The WRX also costs less to repair each year and spends less time in the shop. Its serious problems are real, mainly engine failures and dead batteries. The Integra's problems cluster in one area, steering that sticks at highway speed, and that area generates most of its complaints.

Key Differences

1Subaru WRX costs $119 less per year to repair
2Subaru WRX has 22.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Subaru WRX scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Acura Integra

—

5Subaru WRX

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura Integra	Subaru WRX
Reliability Score	70/100	75/100
Years Tracked	4	9
Total Recalls	9	8
Complaints per 10k Sold	28	5.9
Annual Repair Cost	$801/yr	$682/yr
Repair Frequency	0.7/yr	0.3/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX?

Steering dominates the Integra's record. Owners describe a wheel that catches or hangs near center on the highway, then releases suddenly and causes swerving. Two of those reports are crash-linked. Two air bag complaints describe bags that did not deploy in serious crashes, with injuries. The WRX spreads its trouble across engine failure, stalling, and battery drain while parked. It also has windshields that crack from tiny chips. Its steering lockups mid-turn include 5 crash-linked reports, though three describe one repeated incident. No air bag complaints appear for the WRX.

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura Integra	Subaru WRX
STEERING	24.8High	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.7Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	1.3Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.9Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura Integra or Subaru WRX?

Lower running costs favor the WRX. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $682 a year against $801 for the Integra, a gap of $119. Over five years that adds up to about $595. The WRX also needs unscheduled shop visits 0.3 times a year, compared with 0.7 for the Integra. About 14% of WRX repairs are major, so the savings come from fewer visits as well as a lower yearly bill.

How Does Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura Integra	Subaru WRX	Edge
2026	76/1000R / 1C	81/1000R / 0C	Subaru WRX
2025	74/1002R / 2C	77/1000R / 1C	Subaru WRX
2024	68/1005R / 61C	78/1000R / 13C	Subaru WRX
2023	63/1002R / 204C	75/1001R / 6C	Subaru WRX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Acura Integra scored 68/100 and the 2024 Subaru WRX scored 78/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Acura Integra vs the Subaru WRX?

Pick the WRX if you want the lower complaint rate and lower running costs, and you will keep the car stock. Several engine failure reports involve warranty disputes on cars with a cold air intake or a modified ECM, so skip modified examples and ask for full service records. Aim for 2024 or 2026, which rank strongest, and avoid 2018 and 2019, which rank weakest. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so still check the battery and look for open recalls. Pick the Integra if it suits you better on size and driving feel and you can accept its steering record. Test drive it at highway speed and watch for the wheel catching or hanging near center. Reports start early, between roughly 2,800 and 5,700 miles, so a low-mileage car is not exempt. The 2025 and 2026 years rank strongest, while 2023 and 2024 rank weakest. Check federal recall records for the exact car before you buy.

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX: Common Questions

Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Subaru WRX?: No. The WRX has a clear edge. It drew about 5.9 complaints per 10,000 sold, while the Integra drew 28. The WRX also costs less to repair each year, at $682 against $801, and needs fewer unscheduled shop visits.
Which has more recalls, the Integra or the WRX?: The Integra has 9 recalls across 4 model years, while the WRX has 8 across 9 model years. The Integra's recalls are packed into a much shorter span, so each of its model years averages more recalls than the WRX's.
Which costs less to repair, the Integra or the WRX?: The WRX costs less. Independent repair-cost data shows $682 a year for the WRX and $801 for the Integra. Over five years that is roughly $595 saved. The WRX also visits the shop for unscheduled repairs 0.3 times a year against 0.7.
What is the most common Integra problem?: Steering. Owners filed 237 steering complaints. The wheel sticks or catches at highway speed, resists small corrections, then breaks free suddenly. Drivers describe swerving within the lane, and two reports are crash-linked. Most start between about 2,800 and 5,700 miles.
Does the WRX have battery drain problems?: Yes. Electrical complaints are mostly about batteries dying while the car sits, some within a day, with reports from about 1,000 to 25,000 miles. Dealers often find nothing or just replace the battery, and the drain returns. One owner traced a constant draw to the telematics unit.

More Acura Integra comparisons

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How we score the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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