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2018 Subaru WRX STI
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
2 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 2 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Subaru WRX STI, plotted where owners report it happening.
Airbags
50%1 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 SUBARU WRX STI. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 5-10 MPH, A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR T-BONED HIS VEHICLE AND PUSHED IT 60 FEET. THERE WERE N…”
Lights
50%1 complaints
“THIS IS AN ISSUE REGARDING THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS PART OF IT SEEMS TO BE MELTING FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TO ME CAN BE A SAFETY OR EVEN FIRE HAZARD.”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 2 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking any seller before you hand over money:
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Subaru WRX STI beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every WRX STI model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Subaru WRX STI against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.