Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 81/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Subaru WRX Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Subaru WRX
Brand: Subaru

The 2026 Subaru WRX scores 81/100 ("Excellent") with a complaint rate below the segment average. Data shows a dependable ownership experience across 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

0per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$682

Annual Fuel Cost

$3,150–$3,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity100/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Strong reliability record — a solid choice for buyers.

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru WRX?

The 2026 Subaru WRX earns an Excellent 81/100 reliability score.

At 0 per 10,000 vehicles sold, its complaint rate sits below the Sedan segment average, and most owners report a trouble-free ownership experience.

A solid choice for buyers prioritizing dependability, new or used.

See also the 2025 Subaru WRX for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (14%)
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class

Compare 2026 Subaru WRX With

2026 Volkswagen Golf

Reliability: 84/100

Excellent

2026 Mazda 3

Reliability: 84/100

Excellent

2026 Honda Civic

Reliability: 94/100

Excellent

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Reliability: 94/100

Excellent

2026 Acura Integra

Reliability: 76/100

Good

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2026 Subaru WRX — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 0.3

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Subaru WRX? Check its history first

Every 2026 Subaru WRX has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Subaru WRX NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 9.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (Yes)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Subaru WRXRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based 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

WRX

$682

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

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 2026 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

Best & Worst Subaru WRX Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Subaru WRX Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Subaru WRX year is 2026 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2024 (78/100) and 2025 (77/100).

Top Pick

Excellent

2026

(Current Model)

0Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2024

0Recalls

13Complaints

Good

2025

0Recalls

1Complaints

Subaru WRX Years to Avoid

No Subaru WRX years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Subaru WRX maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

See full Subaru WRX years-to-avoid analysis

Subaru WRX Reliability Score Trend

Subaru WRX reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 75/100.

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Subaru WRX reliability scores by year
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

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	81/100	+4	Excellent	0	0
2025	77/100	-1	Good	0	1
2024	78/100	+3	Good	0	13
2023	75/100	+2	Good	1	6
2022	73/100	-2	Good	1	23
2021	75/100	0	Good	1	12
2020	75/100	+3	Good	1	17
2019	72/100	+1	Good	2	27
2018	71/100	—	Good	2	40

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Subaru WRX reliable?

Yes, the 2026 Subaru WRX is considered highly reliable with a score of 81/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and a complaint rate below the segment average, placing it among the more dependable vehicles in its class.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru WRX?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Subaru WRX. This may reflect limited time-on-road or reporting volume for this model year.

How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru WRX have?

The 2026 Subaru WRX has no recalls on record, which is a positive indicator.

Is the 2026 Subaru WRX expensive to maintain?

The 2026 Subaru WRX is expected to have below-average maintenance costs at $682/year, which is $156 more than the compact cars average of $526. Its high reliability score of 81/100 and complaint rate below the segment average suggest that unexpected repairs are uncommon.

Don’t buy a 2026 Subaru WRX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Subaru WRX.

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