SubaruWRX STI2018Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2018/base/

2018 Subaru WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 WRX STI.

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI calls for 4.5 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil, and its reliability record shows two owner complaints — primarily concerning air bags — with no recalls issued. Across the 2008‑2019 span, the model's complaint count peaked at three in 2008 and bottomed at one in 2010, placing the 2018 year's two complaints in the lower‑mid range of that history. This positioning, combined with zero recalls, indicates a comparatively clean profile for the 2018 STI within the generation's overall reliability trend.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/35R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3369 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidUse Subaru High Torque CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7-2.1
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub140.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap2458cc: .028-.031; 2498cc: .039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque2458cc: 15.5 ft-lbs; 2498cc: 13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.99-1.11 lbs.
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100

Service checks

Engine Compression152

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 54
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 54
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .709
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .709
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees +/-535 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees +/-535 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 12 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
270.1 ft. lbs.70.1 ft. lbs
3Loosen in reverse order of installation 180 degrees180 degrees
429.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
551 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
6In Order, loosen bolts 5, 4 and 1, 360 degrees360 degrees
7In Order, tighten bolts 1, 5 and 4 to 7.4 ft. lbs., next to 22 ft. lbs., then turn 98-102 degrees7.4 ft. lbs
8Turn Bolt 1123–127 degrees
9Loosen bolts in order360 degrees
10In Order Bolts 2, 6 and 37.4 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 96,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Subaru WRX STI recorded two complaints, zero recalls, and 190 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). These complaints involved Air Bags and Exterior Lighting, including one crash complaint, though the data does not specify the root causes. Across the provided record, the generation demonstrates a consistent trend of very low complaint volumes and a complete absence of recalls from 2015 onward. The 2018 model sits firmly within this stable arc, featuring fewer TSBs than both the 2015 (249) and 2019 (249) model years. Because it maintains a minimal complaint profile and zero recalls, this is a good year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
190
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Air Bags1
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 190 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific WRX STI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 WRX STI take?

4.5 qt of Synthetic 5W-30 API certification SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.