Short answer
Among Subaru WRX model years through 2024, 2024 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2010 and 2012 have the most (12). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Subaru WRX: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 25 (2002–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 23
- Fewest recalls
- 2024 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2010 and 2012 (12)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (59)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2020, 2021, 2022 and 4 more years
Subaru WRX Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2024 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2023 | 1 | 5 stars | Power train |
| 2022 | 1 | 5 stars | Equipment |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 stars | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2018 | 2 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 1 | Not rated | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 3 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Forward collision avoidance |
| 2015 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting |
| 2014 | 10 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2013 | 11 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2012 | 12 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2011 | 11 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2010 | 12 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2009 | 10 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2008 | 7 | Not rated | Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2007 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2006 | 3 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2005 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2004 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2003 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2002 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20260 recalls
- 20250 recalls
- 20240 recalls
- 20231 recall
- 20221 recall
- 20211 recall
- 20201 recall
- 20192 recalls
- 20182 recalls
- 20171 recall
- 20163 recalls
- 20153 recalls
- 201410 recalls
- 201311 recalls
- 201212 recalls
- 201111 recalls
- 201012 recalls
- 200910 recalls
- 20087 recalls
- 20073 recalls
- 20063 recalls
- 20054 recalls
- 20044 recalls
- 20031 recall
- 20021 recall
Subaru WRX: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Subaru WRX recalls are air bags (59), exterior lighting (14), service brakes, hydraulic (14), electrical system (8) and fuel system, gasoline (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 7 of these 25 model years, and 2020, 2021, 2022 and 4 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Subaru WRX Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Subaru WRX?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Subaru WRX model years have the most recalls?
2010 and 2012 have the most, with 12 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "WRX", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy