AI DamageSubaru Impreza: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Impreza across 11 model years: 699 owner complaints and 734 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 29% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 24% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 3% of all complaints
- Visibility: 200 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Exterior lighting: 168 complaints (24% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Electrical system: 75 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,728.
- Engine: 45 complaints (6% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 356.
- Service brakes: 40 complaints (6% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1993–1997
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2012–2026
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2002–2005
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1995–2001
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998–2027
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2004–2014
- automatic, 4-speed 1993–2011
- CVT 2012–2027named in 2 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1993–2023named in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2004–2014named in 1 complaints
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 699 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 200 | 1 | 14 |
| Exterior lighting | 168 | 2 | 52 |
| Electrical system | 75 | 3 | 1,728 |
| Engine | 45 | 4 | 356 |
| Service brakes | 40 | 9 | 44 |
| Powertrain | 35 | 2 | 288 |
| Air bags | 30 | 15 | 21 |
| Steering | 24 | 2 | 29 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 22 | 3 | 38 |
| Vehicle speed control | 19 | 7 | 1 |
| Structure | 17 | 1 | 78 |
| Suspension | 15 | 0 | 63 |
| Wheels | 15 | 1 | 30 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 3 | 145 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floor with no resistance. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle independently accelerated and rear-ended another vehicle, resulting in a multi-vehicle crash. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard.
The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace.
I got into an accident going 60 miles an hour I crash into a guardrail totaled the car but no airbags deployed I broke my wrist and dislocated my thumb
Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3.
head on collision/hit the side of another car head, 2024 subaru impreza was smoking before vehicle stopped moving after impact (was slung in the opposite direction), not even five minutes after exiting vehicle it caught flames starting a the front of the engine that spread to the hood
The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines
- This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles
- "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs
- This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and…
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a…
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
- This bulletin announces a repair procedure developed to address cases of the driver side mirror glass…
- "This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment…
- This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top…
- This bulletin announces design changes to the front seat bottom heat unit
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- THE TRUE COST OF REBUILDING AN IMPREZA IN 2025amount per author: £8,000
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.