Subaru Impreza reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,480 complaints about the Subaru Impreza with NHTSA since 2010, most often about airbags and engine. Subaru has filed 8 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns for it, and there are 36 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Subaru Impreza? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Impreza a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,480
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 8
- Filed by Subaru
- Service campaigns
- 4
- Filed by Subaru
- Safety recalls
- 36
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Impreza with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | Wheels (100%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | Other or unspecified (40%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 32 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (19%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 4 | Tires (50%) | 2 | 1 |
| 2022 | 13 | Transmission and drivetrain (31%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 14 | Visibility and wipers (21%) | 2 | 1 |
| 2020 | 85 | Visibility and wipers (61%) | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 | 194 | Exterior lights (32%) | 5 | 4 |
| 2018 | 151 | Exterior lights (42%) | 5 | 7 |
| 2017 | 125 | Exterior lights (26%) | 7 | 5 |
| 2016 | 75 | Other or unspecified (25%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2015 | 77 | Electrical system (26%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2014 | 108 | Airbags (35%) | 3 | 1 |
| 2013 | 249 | Airbags (32%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2012 | 243 | Airbags (43%) | 6 | 1 |
| 2011 | 58 | Airbags (29%) | 14 | 1 |
| 2010 | 46 | Other or unspecified (20%) | 15 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Impreza model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Subaru
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Subaru filed with NHTSA for the Impreza, in its own words. A warranty extension means Subaru pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJan 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2017–2020
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2016–2018
T16 VoLTE Warranty Extension (15-318-24R) Frequently Asked Questions.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign/voluntary emissions recall for certain 2015-2016 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles. This campaign will involve replacement of the front exhaust pipe containing the catalytic converter.
- Warranty extensionOct 2016· Engine· model years 2012–2015
2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.5L FB Engines - 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 FB Engines - 2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek…
- Warranty extensionApr 2016· Electrical system· model years 2015
2.0L engines. Revised TSB. Reprogramming File Availability for Extended Engine Cranking (Delayed Starting) and Engine Oil Level Detection Improvement This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to address customer concerns of extended cranking time before the…
- Service campaignMay 2020· Brakes· model years 2017–2018
This Service Information Bulletin is intended to clarify the proper ordering procedure to use in the rare case when an individual brake hose component of the WUR-03R Service Campaign kit is needed.
- Service campaignNov 2019· Brakes· model years 2017–2018
Owner notification schedule: WUR-03 Impreza & Crosstrek Brake Hose Swelling Customer Satisfaction Program.
- Service campaignJun 2011· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
ECM reprogramming procedure. 2006-2010 Legacy/outback/forester/impreza. *rm updated 9/26/11.
- Service campaignAug 2010· Electrical system· model years 2011
Engine control module (ECM) reprogramming. A modification to the engine control module (ECM) software logic has been developed to improve the performance of the emission control system.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Impreza model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Airbags274 (19%)
- Engine205 (14%)
- Other or unspecified189 (13%)
- Electrical system186 (13%)
- Visibility and wipers184 (12%)
- Exterior lights161 (11%)
- Transmission and drivetrain109 (7%)
- Brakes84 (6%)
Safety recalls
36 recalls cover at least one Impreza model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal.
The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle.
The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.
The left-front lower control arm weld may fail, allowing the control arm to separate from the crossmember.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
And 21 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE15012Preliminary evaluation· opened Apr 2015, closed Jul 2015· Airbags· model years 2012
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Led to recall 15V419000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Subaru Impreza has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 1,480 owner complaints, 8 warranty extensions and 4 service campaigns Subaru filed, and 36 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2013 (249), 2012 (243), 2019 (194). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Subaru Impreza?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name airbags (19%), engine (14%), other or unspecified (13%). Subaru has filed 8 warranty extensions covering the Impreza, listed on this page.
Which Impreza model years have the most complaints?
2013 (249), 2012 (243), 2019 (194). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Impreza with each other rather than with other models.
Has Subaru extended the warranty on the Impreza?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2019–2023); fuel and propulsion (model years 2018–2020); fuel and propulsion (model years 2018–2020), and 5 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Impreza?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 36 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.