Subaru Impreza years to avoid (and the best years)
1,468 NHTSA owner complaints and 34 recalls across 14 model years, 2010 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 1,468complaints
- 34recalls
- 85reported crashes
- 25reported fires
- 45reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Subaru Impreza years to avoid are 2013 and 2012. The typical Subaru Impreza year has 81 complaints on file.
- 2013: 249 complaints, 3.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (32% of complaints) and the engine (30% of complaints).
- 2012: 243 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (43% of complaints) and the engine (23% of complaints).
What are the best Subaru Impreza years?
The Subaru Impreza years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (13), 2021 (14) and 2010 (46). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 | 0.4× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2022 | 13 | 0.2× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2021 | 14 | 0.2× | 2 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2020 | 85 | 1.0× | 1 | 2 | 2 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2019 | 194 | 2.4× | 5 | 6 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 | 151 | 1.9× | 5 | 5 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 | 125 | 1.5× | 7 | 10 | 7 | Some concerns to check | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 | 75 | 0.9× | 1 | 7 | 2 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 77 | 1.0× | 2 | 5 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 108 | 1.3× | 3 | 16 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2013 | 249 | 3.1× | 4 | 13 | 4 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2012 | 243 | 3.0× | 6 | 10 | 6 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2011 | 57 | 0.7× | 14 | 5 | 5 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2010 | 46 | 0.6× | 15 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 249 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body99 (40%)
- Engine & powertrain51 (20%)
- Airbags & seat belts29 (12%)
- Steering, suspension & tires23 (9%)
- Brakes22 (9%)
Recalls (34)
Transmission · 23V754000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2024
A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 23V551000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 22V712000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2022
An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 22V624000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 21V675000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V587000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V264000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 21V024000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2021
A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Fuel system · 20V218000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2019
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V001000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V003000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V002000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 19V743000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V744000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2017, 2018
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V745000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2017
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V297000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2010, 2011
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 19V149000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Airbags · 19V007000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V008000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V009000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Engine · 18V772000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V012000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V013000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fuel system · 17V216000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V132000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2017
A rearview camera display that does not function as designed can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 17V014000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 16V738000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V358000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 15V419000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2012
If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Safety · 15V366000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2015
If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V830000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V311000 · Jun 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 13V061000 · Feb 2013 · model years 2012, 2013
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Brakes · 11V562000 · Nov 2011 · model year 2012
THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.