Subaru WRX: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
980 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru WRX, model years 2002 to 2026. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2008 (transmission 4.8×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2016, 2009. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 WRX | 427 | — | 2 | |
| 2003 WRXFEW REPORTS | 60 | — | 2 | |
| 2004 WRXFEW REPORTS | 42 | quiet: 4 of 10 | 5 | |
| 2005 WRXFEW REPORTS | 19 | — | 5 | |
| 2006 WRXFEW REPORTS | 14 | — | 4 | |
| 2008 WRXFEW REPORTS | 65 | transmission 4.8× | 7 | |
| 2009 WRXFEW REPORTS | 41 | quiet: 3 of 10 | 10 | |
| 2010 WRXFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 12 | |
| 2011 WRXFEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 11 | |
| 2012 WRXFEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 12 | |
| 2013 WRXFEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 11 | |
| 2014 WRXFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 10 | |
| 2015 WRXFEW REPORTS | 52 | — | 3 | |
| 2016 WRXFEW REPORTS | 31 | quiet: 2 of 10 | 3 | |
| 2017 WRXFEW REPORTS | 53 | — | 1 | |
| 2018 WRXFEW REPORTS | 43 | — | 2 | |
| 2019 WRXFEW REPORTS | 30 | quiet: 1 of 10 | 2 | |
| 2020 WRXFEW REPORTS | 18 | — | 1 | |
| 2021 WRXFEW REPORTS | 13 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 WRXFEW REPORTS | 25 | — | 1 | |
| 2023 WRXFEW REPORTS | 9 | — | 1 | |
| 2024 WRXFEW REPORTS | 14 | — | 0 | |
| 2025 WRXFEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 0 | |
| 2026 WRXFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Subaru models
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Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2002