SubaruWRX2018Overview/subaru/wrx/2018/base/

2018 Subaru WRX

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Subaru WRX is a performance passenger car built on Subaru's platform and powered by a turbocharged flat-four engine, requiring 5.4 quarts of 5W-30 API-certified motor oil for service. In terms of reliability, the 2018 model year recorded 42 owner complaints with the Engine listed as the primary concern, along with two issued recalls. Compared to the model's complaint history spanning 2002 to 2025, where complaints peaked at 426 in 2002 and reached a low of just 1 in 2010, the 2018 WRX falls toward the lower end of the historical range—suggesting relatively fewer issues than many prior years, though not as trouble-free as the model's best-performing years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 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 sizeP235/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 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 weight3402 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the WRX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.1–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2018 STI Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.10 sec13.50 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.30 sec13.80 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.40 sec13.90 sec310 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.50 sec14.20 sec268 hpAWD
2018Premium Sedan 2.0L Turbo F-45.60 sec14.10 sec268 hpAWD
2018STI Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.10 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.00 sec310 hpAWD
2018STI Type RA Sedan 2.5L Turbo F-45.70 sec14.00 sec310 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 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.

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 Capacity8.8

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70.0 ft-lbs, MT: 63.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031; Turbo: .020-.022 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression152

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .591; Rear: .335
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages
126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
326.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
4Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
513.0 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
660.0

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)
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 sits in the latter half of the current generation’s federal record, carrying 42 complaints, 2 recalls, and 338 TSBs. Compared with the immediately preceding 2017 (53 complaints, 1 recall, 379 TSBs), 2018 shows a modest improvement in complaints and TSBs, while matching 2019’s recall count and continuing a downward trend into 2020 (17 complaints, 1 recall). The broader arc from 2015 onward reflects elevated owner reporting relative to the 2008–2014 period—2015 logged 52 complaints and 407 TSBs, with 2016 peaking at 419 TSBs—before complaint and TSB volumes gradually tapered. Within 2018, reported concerns cluster around engine (7), powertrain (5), unknown/other (4), and electrical (4), with 5 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its lower complaint and TSB counts than 2015–2017, low recall exposure, and no federal investigations, the 2018 WRX appears to be a comparatively stable year within its generation and a reasonable used-car candidate, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the specific complaints have been addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
338
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
42
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 42 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine7
Power Train5
Unknown Or Other4
Electrical System4
Visibility/Wiper3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may… Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at…

22V522000Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:SwitchReported 21/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 338 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
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…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

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. 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 take?

5.4 qt of Synthetic 5W-30 API certified., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 WRX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.