Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 81/100 (EXCELLENT)

2026 Subaru WRX Reliability Report

The 2026 Subaru WRX has an excellent reliability standing with no complaints or recalls, but its model-wide repair costs run above its class.

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

Ranks as the best of nine scored WRX years, with no complaints or recalls on file, though that record is still young.

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru WRX?

Reliability is excellent for this year, the strongest of the nine scored WRX years. Against other 2026 sedans it lands close to average, so the edge is over its own history more than over rivals. The 2025 model rates good but ranks lower, with one owner complaint and no recalls.

There are no owner complaints and no federal recall records for this year, so no known failure needs describing. That clean record is thin, though. Complaints and recalls build up with time on the road, and this year has had little of it. Cost is the clearer drawback. Independent repair-cost data puts model-wide yearly repairs at $682, against $526 for the class. On the safety side, federal crash testing gave the WRX 5 of 5 stars.

Before buying, ask the seller to confirm there are no open recalls on the car. If the price gap is large, a 2025 is a reasonable alternative, since it has a good standing and a single complaint. Plan for repair bills above the class average either way.

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

Best Subaru WRX Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

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.

See full Subaru WRX years-to-avoid analysis

Subaru WRX Reliability Score Trend

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, it has an excellent reliability standing and ranks first among the nine scored WRX years. Owners have filed no complaints and federal records show no recalls. Against other 2026 sedans it is close to average. The record is short, since problems surface with time on the road.

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

None have been reported yet. Owners have filed no complaints for this year, and federal recall records list none. Common problems usually appear as a model year ages, so check back later. The one cost concern in the data is higher-than-class repair spending across the model.

Does the 2026 Subaru WRX have any recalls?

No. Federal recall records show zero recalls for this model year. A recall can still be issued later, so check the specific car's VIN for open recalls before you pay for it.

How much does the 2026 Subaru WRX cost to repair?

Expect more than average. Independent repair-cost data estimates $682 a year across the WRX model, compared with $526 for its class. That figure covers the whole model, not only the 2026 year, so treat it as a guide for budgeting.

Is the 2026 Subaru WRX better than the 2025?

On the scores, yes. The 2026 has an excellent standing and the 2025 a good one, which ranks lower. The 2025 has one complaint and no recalls. The 2026 has had less time to collect complaints, so the gap may be smaller than it looks.

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

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2026 Subaru WRX

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2026 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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