AI Damage2018 Subaru Impreza: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Subaru Impreza filed 151 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and visibility. The maker issued 381 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 151
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 381
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 42% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 26% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 4% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 2% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 64 complaints (42% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Visibility: 40 complaints (26% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 197.
- Engine: 11 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
- Structure: 6 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 151 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 64 | 1 | 12 |
| Visibility | 40 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 1 | 197 |
| Engine | 11 | 1 | 37 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 1 | 43 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
it is a case of sudden acceleration when parking the car in battery , goin forward very slowly, the subaru impreza accelerate , jump the curve and crash agaings a tree 5 ft away from the curve, the results extensive damage in the left front , airbags did not deploy
My car was involved in an accident and one headlight was smashed. I found out from my body shop that was my car was recalled and they have no way to fix my headlight. I called Subaru and they told me that the body shop could just put another head light in.
They were towing my car, and this vehicle only has one place to grab it, when the towing service was going to release my car this place to grab it broke and released, and ejected the car, if not for the handbrake it had happened a fatal accident, a car from 2018 that has these faults, I don't think so, now they must…
The side airbags did not deploy and 3 sensors where activated but because of the electrical problems it never went off.
I was involve to car accident, I was a passenger the seat belt was on me and, praporly lucked to the seat. The driver airbag deploey. He didnt get any damege to his body. And my iarbag did not deploey cause of that I have spine fracture lambar l3-l2. It happend in 08/23/2018.
Vehicle Information: 2018 Subaru ImprezaVIN: [XXX] Affected: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gear Box Assembly)Description of the Safety Defect:I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 Subaru Impreza.The Electronic Power Steering…
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed and needed to be redone. The vehicle was not repaired.
The low tire pressure warning remained on, my cell phone was no longer recognized or paired with the vehicle and would not charge, part of the clock display stopped illuminating, and then the vehicle suddenly began to shake. Within seconds, all dashboard warning lights turned on and the engine shut off entirely.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 422 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Impreza has 64 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 151, above average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- 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
DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 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…
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during…
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top…
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of surface rust accumulating in the top center retaining nut area of the front strut mounts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on…
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body
The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for…
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw…
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or…
NHTSA lists 381 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 151. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (3%), vibration (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA lists 381 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Subaru Impreza from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
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.