Last updated: 2026-10-10

2024 Subaru WRX Reliability Report
The 2024 Subaru WRX has good reliability, but two manual transmission failures, one in third gear, are the problem to check before buying.
Recalls
0
Complaints
13
Complaint Rate
7per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$682
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,150–$3,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good reliability with no recalls and a low complaint count, though two manual transmission failures stand out as the main risk.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (2)
- STRUCTURE (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
Should You Buy the 2024 Subaru WRX?
Reliability is good for this model year, and it sits above average among 2024 sedans. Within the nine scored WRX years, it is among the stronger ones. Owners filed 13 complaints, and no federal recall covers it. The 2023 rates worse and has one recall. The 2025 rates about the same, with one complaint, though it has had less time on the road to collect more.
The problems that matter involve the manual transmission. In one report, third gear failed on the upshift from second. The driver heard a loud pop, then a grinding noise like gravel under the car, and the car lost power. A dealer teardown found almost none of the third-gear teeth left. Another owner described the shifter slipping past the sixth-gear detent toward reverse at highway speed. Both failures carry a risk of losing control. Repairs were slow, and one transmission stayed apart for weeks.
If you are looking at a manual car, ask for any transmission repair records. Budget for repair costs above the class norm.
Compared to the 2025 Subaru WRX, which scored 1 points lower. See also the 2023 Subaru WRX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- +Low major repair risk (14%)
- +No recalls issued
Cons
- −Above-average repair costs for its class
- −Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Full-screen SiriusXM advertisement takes over the infotainment display while... (6 complaints)
Compare 2024 Subaru WRX With

2024 Volkswagen Golf
Reliability: 73/100

2024 Mazda 3
Reliability: 78/100

2024 Honda Civic
Reliability: 81/100

2024 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability: 85/100

2024 Acura Integra
Reliability: 68/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)
- POWER TRAIN (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2024 Subaru WRX — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 5.4
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2024 Subaru WRX? Check its history first
Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2024 Subaru WRX, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2024 Subaru WRX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.0%
Safety Technologies
Subaru WRXRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$682
vs $526 avg for compact cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
14%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
21–22 MPG
Running cost: $3,850–$4,000/yr
Fuel + repair
18–19 city / 25–26 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2024 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRX 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,150 |
| WRX 2.4L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,300 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2024 Subaru WRX.
Shift from second to third under moderate throttle several times; listen for a pop or grinding and feel for lost power.
In sixth gear at highway speed, check that the shifter holds firmly in its gate and never drifts toward reverse.
Ask for service records showing any transmission teardown, third-gear repair, or pending manufacturer inspection.
Watch the infotainment screen on the test drive for full-screen SiriusXM pop-ups that block navigation and climate controls.
Turn the center display off before driving and confirm it stays off the whole drive.
Ask the dealer whether the in-car SiriusXM advertisements can be turned off on this car.
2024 Subaru WRX Common Problems by Component
13 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 complaintsA full-screen SiriusXM advertisement takes over the infotainment display while the car is moving. The pop-up blocks navigation, audio, and climate controls until the driver dismisses it by hand. Reports describe it appearing at city speeds and on snowy, icy roads. The screen can also switch itself on to show the ad after the driver has turned it off. Drivers describe the sudden pop-up as a serious distraction, and one sudden appearance led to a panic stop and a slide on ice. None of the reports give a mileage.
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsThird gear in the manual transmission can fail on the upshift from second. Drivers hear a loud pop, then a grinding noise like gravel under the car, and the car loses power. A dealer teardown found almost none of the third-gear teeth left. A separate report describes the shifter slipping past the sixth-gear detent toward reverse at highway speed. Both failures carry a risk of losing control. Repairs are slow. One transmission stayed apart for weeks while the owner waited on a factory engineer's report. In the third-gear case, a Subaru specialist's inspection ended in a denial.
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThe component failing is the side skirts or, as officially described in the Subaru parts diagram, the „Side Spoiler“. It can also be found as part numbers 96051, and 96051A. It can be easily visually inspected. This puts others at risk because it may end up dragging on the road, or falling off entirely which poses a major safety risk to other drivers because it is a piece of plastic nearly the length of the entire wheelbase. After talking with other owners, they have had the same issue, and in my case I had the issue a few months after purchasing the car. Then when the rear of the car was replaced and fixed due to an accident, they fixed this issue, but it came back a month after being repaired. I do not know if it has been inspected by Subaru or police or insurance, but they may see it as a recurring issue. There were know warning lamps or messages. I only noticed when inspecting my car before use or while washing it.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintI understand that every manufacturer is racing to get these vehicles autonomous or something similar to it and I can fully appreciate a world that would be as I'm sick of distracted drivers as it is these days and the police's complicity or the lack of enforcement doesn't help. That said, the pre-collision system in Subaru needs a bit of an overhaul or an option to shut it off permanently and not every single time we start the vehicle. There were two separate instances where the collision warning picked up "something" that caused it to brake unexpectedly and hard causing ABS to trigger and everything getting thrown off the seats. I have no idea what even caused it. One other instance is when the vehicle in front of me suddenly braked unexpectedly. Seeing as I do not tailgate, I had plenty of time to move over to the other lane. In the process of this, the car detected the braking vehicle in front and just slammed the pre-collision brakes on me causing all sorts of panic for myself and every driver around me. The car tried to stop on the parkway at 55 mph because I wanted to merge left (and had plenty of space to do so) whereas the car just wanted to stop. The lane I was merging to didn't have anyone so it was fine but the person behind me probably freaked out a bit. Subaru needs to give us the ability to adjust the sensativity of these systems or just the ability to turn them off permanently. I love this car and love the brand but I feel they could do better. I'd like to say these manufacturers need to stop trying to baby and coddle us but when I see the drivers these days, I can understand where they are coming from.
VISIBILITY (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY
1 complaintThe Drivers side mirror (LEFT) When sitting still is distorted and wavy if you look around in the mirror. It makes the earth bend or any objects in the mirror bend, the best way to put it when driving or sitting still it looks like a funhouse mirror. And once at about 40 MPH the Same mirror also vibrates while driving. The retailer I choose has replaced the mirror glass twice and the mirror housing once, it had done nothing to fix it.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintDriving my car as any person would, at the 3519 mile mark on the odometer the engine low oil light came on, it took (1.5Q) of oil to top it off. This is a brand new car no one buys a new car to add oil to it, then to get told by the dealership that it’s normal for up to (2Q) of oil to be added because it’s the only AWD boxer, but yet the 24 crosstreks have boxers and doesn’t burn oil?????
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2024 Subaru WRX. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the ABS did not function as intended. The contact stated that while merging into another lane, the ABS independently activated, and the vehicle independently stopped. Additionally, the contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle was almost rear-ended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150.
Best & Worst Subaru WRX Years
Best Subaru WRX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
(Current Model)
2023
2021
Subaru WRX Years to Avoid
No Subaru WRX years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 71 and 81 across 9 scored model years.
Subaru WRX Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Subaru WRX Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 Subaru WRX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 Subaru WRX?
Does the 2024 Subaru WRX have transmission problems?
Does the 2024 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
How much does the 2024 Subaru WRX cost to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2024 Subaru WRX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2024 Subaru WRX
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2024 Subaru WRX does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). 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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