Total Complaints
2 filings
SUBARU WRX STI · model year
2018 SUBARU WRX STI
2 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018SUBARUWRX STI carries 2 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 WRX STI is exterior lighting with 1 filings, followed by air bags (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2018 WRX STI. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
2
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20191105CrashAIR BAGS
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 NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED YOUNG SUBARU (3920 RIVERDALE RD, OGDEN, UT 84405, (801) 528-9342) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-46604412545. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,028. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 28,028
20180613EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Mileage: 11,000
Compare 2018SUBARUWRX STI to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
PE19009Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
PE15012Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
PE11011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front suspension control arm failure
EA09007Engineering AnalysisClosed
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
PE09017Preliminary EvaluationClosed
FUEL LINE LEAK
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2018 SUBARU WRX STI have?▼
The 2018 SUBARU WRX STI has 2 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 SUBARU WRX STI?▼
The most-complained component for the 2018 SUBARU WRX STI is EXTERIOR LIGHTING with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS.
Is the 2018 SUBARU WRX STI safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.