Which Years Of Used Subaru WRXs Are Most Reliable?
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There’s not much market for rally-bred sports cars, but that didn’t stop Subaru from releasing the WRX. Based on the Subaru Impreza, the WRX is a standalone model that’s quite popular with driving enthusiasts. If you love rally-inspired cars, the WRX is undoubtedly worth looking into for its potent engines and exceptional handling.
Buying a used WRX means you’ll have to consider its long-term reliability. So which is the most reliable Subaru WRX year?
According to RepairPal, the Subaru WRX has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, with a rank of 32nd out of 36 compact cars. Therefore, one can argue that the WRX isn’t the most reliable compact car. However, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically an unreliable sedan.
So for today’s post, we walk you through all the many different WRX models so far and determine which years are reliable and which ones are not. Let’s take a look.
The Most Reliable Subaru WRX Year
Debuting in 1992, there are only a few WRX models available so far. Thus, you have slim pickings if you plan to buy a used WRX.
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2015 Subaru WRX
The 2015 Subaru WRX offers plenty of good stuff for performance car enthusiasts, including top-notch handling, a tenacious cornering grip, and a potent engine. With that said, the 2015 WRX is a relatively popular used compact car. It’s an excellent option for people looking for a fun-to-drive sedan that beats many of its segment competitors. However, the WRX lags behind the competition regarding fuel economy, cargo capacity, and, ultimately, reliability.
The 2015 Subaru WRX has questionable long-term reliability. In fact, the 2015 model is one of our picks for the worst WRX years to avoid. In CarComplaints.com, the 2015 WRX had the most number of complaints and three recalls. Meanwhile, J.D. Power gave the 2015 Subaru WRX a Quality & Reliability score of 64⁄100, a Fair rating.
Overall, the 2015 WRX delivers in terms of driving experience but not reliability. Unfortunately, a used 2015 WRX will cost you around $15,100 - $22,700, no thanks to Subaru’s high resale value.
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2016 Subaru WRX
The 2016 Subaru WRX offers a thrilling ride with plenty of tech features and high safety ratings. Furthermore, the standard all-wheel drive makes it an attractive package for those who don’t exactly want an SUV or truck. Unfortunately, the 2016 Subaru is held back by high ownership costs and below-average reliability.
While it’s better than the 2015 model, the 2016 WRX had some reliability woes that prospective buyers should know about. One of the main complaints about this model is its bad clutch, which according to owners, tends to fail, slip, and reportedly give off a smoking smell. This can be a dealbreaker for those who prefer to drive a stick.
As per U.S. News, the 2016 WRX leaves much to be desired based on reliability. On the other hand, J.D. Power gave the sedan a Quality & Reliability score of 70⁄100, which is rated as Average.
THE SUBARU WRX YEARS TO AVOID
At CoPilot, we want to ensure you know which model to get when looking for a used WRX. This post will provide information on the Subaru WRX years to avoid and the best ones to buy.
2017 Subaru WRX
The 2017 Subaru WRX is a solid option for a used vehicle, and it’s a top pick for the most reliable Subaru WRX year. It offers agile handling, potent engines, and standard all-wheel drive. Regarding performance, the 2017 WRX stands above most of its compact car counterparts.
With only 65 NHTSA complaints and one recall, the 2017 Subaru WRX has fewer known issues.
Unfortunately, it still received complaints about premature clutch failure, which is obviously an issue if you drive a stick. Furthermore, the 2017 WRX received subpar reliability scores from sites like the U.S. News and J.D. Power. Overall, this model year offers a great value proposition for fans of rally-inspired cars.
2018 Subaru WRX
The 2018 Subaru WRX brings the same performance energy to the table as the previous versions – punchy turbocharged engines, nimble handling, and standard AWD, to name a few. It’s also our pick as one of the more reliable WRX models.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2018 WRX received 53 complaints and two recalls. Many of its reliability woes, such as a faulty radio and rack and pinion seal leak, are relatively minor. Nevertheless, this model year has its fair share of drawbacks like mediocre trunk space, poor fuel economy, and high projected cost of ownership.
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2019 Subaru WRX
At this point, Subaru knows the winning formula for the WRX sedan. It offers two potent engine options, a roomier cabin (thankfully), and dynamic drive quality. It’s also another pick for our most reliable Subaru WRX year.
According to the U.S. News, the 2019 WRX has a poor predicted reliability rating. Plus, it has a high cost of ownership, which can be a sore spot for many buyers. Heading over to CarComplaints, the 2019 WRX only has 33 NHTSA complaints, and two recalls under its belt. Other than that, the complaints were mainly no big deal. Apparently, the radio issue made a comeback with this particular model year.
2020 Subaru WRX
The 2020 Subaru WRX marked a giant leap for the sporty sedan, especially regarding reliability. Like clockwork, the 2020 WRX delivers top-notch handling, powerful engines, and high safety ratings.
Complaints about the 2020 WRX are few in between. With only 14 complaints so far, many drivers seem to be happy with the 2020 WRX’s reliability. However, with it being a newer model, it remains to be seen if its reliability will hold up in the future. Meanwhile, J.D. Power rated the 2020 WRX highly with 77⁄100 in Quality & Reliability – it even made it to the #1 Compact Sporty Car category.
Overall, the 2020 Subaru WRX is one of the most reliable models for this compact car. However, it’s a newer model, so prepare to pay for near-retail prices, especially when Subaru cars tend to hold their value over time.
That wraps up our rundown of each WRX model you can buy as used. In summary, the 2015 and 2016 models are worth skipping, and the rest should be fair game when it comes to reliability.
FAQs: Subaru WRX’s Reliability
Q: Which years of the Subaru WRX are known for their stellar reliability?
A: If you’re hunting for a Subaru WRX with top-notch reliability, set your sights on the 2017 to 2020 models. These years impress with their robust performance with minimal fuss and fewer gripes from owners.
Q: What issues tend to trouble the WRX models that are less reliable?
A: The 2015 and 2016 WRX models have a bit of a dark side, especially with their clutch systems acting up. The 2016 WRX, for instance, has a penchant for clutch failures, complete with a distressing smoking scent.
Q: Compared to its compact car rivals, how does the WRX stack up in reliability?
A: The WRX, with a reliability score of 3.5 out of 5, finds itself in the 32nd spot out of 36 in the compact car arena, as per RepairPal’s rankings. While it might not be the front-runner in the reliability race, remember that it doesn’t fall into the “unreliable” category by default.
Q: What should be on my checklist when shopping for a used WRX?
A: When you’re in the market for a pre-owned WRX model, zero in on the 2017-2020 years for a smoother ride on the road and with ownership. Meanwhile, keep a wary eye on the 2015 and 2016 models due to their spotty track record.
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