Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Subaru WRX?

Based on our data, the Subaru WRX is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?

The Acura Integra has more recalls (9) compared to the Subaru WRX (8). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru WRX has a lower complaint rate at 5.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Subaru WRX is cheaper to maintain at $682/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.

Is the Acura Integra or Subaru WRX safer?

Both the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX: Reliability Compared

Acura Integra

Good

More Reliable

Subaru WRX

Good

Choosing between the Acura Integra and the Subaru WRX? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru WRX currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru WRX is in its fifth generation, which began in 2022. This newer platform may still be experiencing early production adjustments, as newer generations often face initial teething issues. However, the fourth generation, lasting from 2015 to 2021, benefited from mid-cycle updates in 2017 and 2019, suggesting a more refined platform by the end of its run. The Acura Integra lacks detailed generation history, making it difficult to compare directly. Typically, models later in their generation cycle, like the Subaru WRX's previous generation, tend to have more sorted reliability due to resolved early issues.

Verdict

The Subaru WRX is more reliable than the Acura Integra, scoring 75/100 vs 68/100.

The Subaru WRX demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Acura Integra, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 versus 68/100 for the Integra. The WRX also benefits from fewer owner complaints, at 5.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold compared to the Integra's 28, and incurs lower estimated annual repair costs at $682. Despite having been on the market longer, the WRX has fewer recalls (8 over 9 years) than the Integra (9 over 4 years). These factors, combined with the WRX's lower incidence of common issues, make it the more reliable choice in the compact sedan segment.

Key Differences

1Subaru WRX costs $119 less per year to repair
2Subaru WRX has 22.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Subaru WRX scores 7 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	68/100	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	3

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

The Acura Integra exhibits a significant concentration of complaints in the steering category, with 237 total and 2 linked to crashes, indicating a notable reliability issue in this area. Additionally, it has crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, though the overall number of complaints in this area is low. In contrast, the Subaru WRX's most frequent issues are related to the engine and electrical system, with 30 and 24 complaints respectively, and it has a higher number of crash-linked steering complaints despite fewer overall issues in that category compared to the Integra. While the Integra's problems are more heavily skewed towards steering, the WRX shows a broader distribution of issues across engine, electrical, and power train components.

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
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	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?

According to industry estimates, the Subaru WRX has a lower annual repair cost at $682 compared to the Acura Integra's $801, offering a $119 saving each year, which accumulates to $595 over five years. Additionally, the WRX requires fewer repair visits, with a frequency of 0.3 visits per year versus the Integra's 0.7 visits, indicating less frequent disruptions. However, the WRX has a 14% risk of needing major repairs, a factor absent in the Integra's data. For cost-conscious buyers focused on routine maintenance and repair costs, the WRX presents better value despite the higher risk of major repairs.

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
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
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	Subaru WRX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura Integra scored 74/100 and the 2024 Subaru WRX scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura Integra vs the Subaru WRX?

If you prioritize reliability and low running costs, the Subaru WRX is your better option. With a reliability score of 75/100, it surpasses the Acura Integra's 68/100. The WRX also has fewer recalls (8) and significantly fewer owner complaints, just 5.9 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Integra's 28. Additionally, the WRX's estimated annual repair cost is lower at $682, and it requires less frequent repairs at 0.3 times per year. On the other hand, if you're willing to accept higher maintenance costs and a slightly lower reliability for a potentially different feature set, the Acura Integra might appeal to you. It has a higher repair frequency of 0.7 per year and a higher estimated annual repair cost of $801. However, if issues such as steering and forward collision avoidance are critical to your driving needs, be aware that these are noted concerns with the Integra.

Acura Integra vs Subaru WRX: Common Questions

Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Subaru WRX?: Based on our data, the Subaru WRX is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?: The Acura Integra has more recalls (9) compared to the Subaru WRX (8). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru WRX has a lower complaint rate at 5.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Subaru WRX?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Subaru WRX is cheaper to maintain at $682/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.
Is the Acura Integra or Subaru WRX safer?: Both the Acura Integra and Subaru WRX received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura Integra comparisons

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More Subaru WRX comparisons

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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.

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