Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the Subaru WRX?

Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?

The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) 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 Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.9 for the Subaru WRX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $682/year for the Subaru WRX.

Is the Honda Civic or Subaru WRX safer?

Both the Honda Civic 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

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Civic

Good

Subaru WRX

Good

Choosing between the Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Civic and Subaru WRX Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda Civic is in its eleventh generation, which began in 2022. This puts it early in its generation cycle, a period often associated with potential first-year issues as new platforms can experience teething problems. The previous tenth generation ran from 2016 to 2021, offering a more mature platform known for its reliability. The Subaru WRX is in its fifth generation, which started in 2022. Similar to the Civic, it is early in its generation cycle. The fourth generation, from 2015 to 2021, included mid-cycle updates in 2017 and 2019, typically enhancing reliability as earlier issues were addressed. For buyers, opting for a model from a later stage of a generation often means more refined and reliable performance.

Verdict

The Honda Civic is more reliable than the Subaru WRX, scoring 76/100 vs 75/100.

The Honda Civic and Subaru WRX exhibit similar reliability, with the Civic slightly edging out with a reliability score of 76/100 compared to the WRX's 75/100. The Civic also benefits from a lower owner complaint rate of 4.8 per 10,000 sold, against the WRX's 5.9, and significantly lower estimated annual repair costs at $368 versus $682 for the WRX. However, the Civic has a higher recall count, with 37 recalls over nine years compared to the WRX's 8. Despite these differences, both vehicles face common issues in their electrical systems, with the Civic also frequently encountering steering and fuel system problems, while the WRX more often deals with engine and powertrain concerns.

Key Differences

1Honda Civic costs $314 less per year to repair
2Subaru WRX has 29 fewer total recalls
3Honda Civic has 4% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

5Honda Civic

—

1Subaru WRX

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Civic	Subaru WRX
Reliability Score	76/100	75/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	37	8
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	5.9
Annual Repair Cost	$368/yr	$682/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	14%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5 (1 tied)	2 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Civic and Subaru WRX?

The Honda Civic exhibits a significantly higher volume of complaints, particularly in the steering category, which accounts for over half of its total issues and includes 58 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Subaru WRX has far fewer complaints overall, with the engine and electrical system being the most reported issues, though neither is linked to crashes. Notably, the Civic also has a considerable number of airbag-related complaints, with 21 crash-linked, indicating potential safety concerns. Both models share issues in the electrical system, but the Civic's problem profile suggests more severe safety implications compared to the WRX.

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Civic	Subaru WRX
STEERING	2.5Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	1.3Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.9Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Civic or Subaru WRX?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Honda Civic offers a more economical choice for cost-conscious buyers. With an annual repair cost of $368, it is notably cheaper than the Subaru WRX, which incurs $682 annually. Over five years, this difference amounts to $1,570 in savings. Additionally, the Civic's lower repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year compared to the WRX's 0.3 visits suggests fewer interruptions for maintenance. The Honda Civic also presents a lower risk of major repairs at 10%, compared to the WRX's 14%. This reduced risk further contributes to the Civic's appeal as a cost-effective option, making it a wiser choice for those prioritizing long-term savings and reliability.

How Does Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Civic	Subaru WRX	Edge
2025	84/1005R / 49C	77/1000R / 1C	Honda Civic
2024	81/1005R / 131C	78/1000R / 13C	Honda Civic
2023	74/1007R / 315C	75/1001R / 6C	Subaru WRX
2022	66/1003R / 935C	73/1001R / 23C	Subaru WRX
2021	81/1003R / 118C	75/1001R / 12C	Honda Civic
2020	78/1008R / 405C	75/1001R / 17C	Honda Civic
2019	75/1002R / 356C	72/1002R / 27C	Honda Civic
2018	71/1004R / 605C	71/1002R / 40C	Tie
2026(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	Honda Civic

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Civic scored 84/100 and the 2024 Subaru WRX scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Civic vs the Subaru WRX?

If you prioritize low running costs and a slightly higher reliability score, the Honda Civic might be your best choice. With a reliability score of 76/100, the Civic offers an estimated annual repair cost of just $368 and a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year. Although it has had more recalls (37) compared to the Subaru WRX, the owner complaints are fewer at 4.8 per 10,000 sold, suggesting better overall satisfaction. On the other hand, if you’re drawn to performance and don't mind a higher potential for repair costs, consider the Subaru WRX. It has fewer recalls (8) but carries a higher estimated annual repair cost of $682 and a slightly higher major repair risk of 14%. If you can handle the additional cost and are willing to address potential issues like engine and power train concerns, the WRX might be worth it for its sporty appeal.

Honda Civic vs Subaru WRX: Common Questions

Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the Subaru WRX?: Based on our data, the Honda Civic is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?: The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) 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 Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.9 for the Subaru WRX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Subaru WRX?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $682/year for the Subaru WRX.
Is the Honda Civic or Subaru WRX safer?: Both the Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic 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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