AI Damage2019 Subaru Impreza: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Impreza filed 194 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and visibility. The maker issued 427 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 194
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 427
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 32% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 31% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 2% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 63 complaints (32% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Visibility: 60 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 19 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 239.
- Engine: 8 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 194 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 | 63 | 1 | 10 |
| Visibility | 60 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 0 | 239 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 41 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 21 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 38 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 41 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
In the middle of the night I attempted to make a left turn into a parking lot (with headlights on). I was unable to see the ground in the front/left portion of my car.
While slowly pulling into a parking slot in a Wal-Mart parking lot, the car experienced an abrupt acceleration causing it to lurch forward at full throttle and it struck a parked vehicle in the next space. The accelerator pedal was not depressed.
On May 8th of this year, my fiancé were involved in a rear end collision. That morning, the Hyundai Tucson in front of us stopped short and we ran into the back of it doing around 35 an hour, and ended up with our vehicle (Subaru Impreza) being totaled.
I was driving in stop and go traffic on the highway for several minutes. Everything worked fine until one moment when I went to press the brake pedal down and the pedal would not move. I used all my strength to push it down for several seconds. It was locked in position. I could not move it all.
Air bags did not deploy on unit 2. Unit 2 was declared a total loss. With all damage on the front end of unit 2. Time of accident was monday, 7/27/2020. Driver of unit #2 suffered ankle, leg, shoulder injuries along with a concussion. All of these symptoms appeared within 24 hours after the accident.
The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was jerking, shaking, and failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The failure nearly caused a crash.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle rolled to a stop and stalled in hot and cold temperatures. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by Roadside Assistance. The contact purchased a trickle charger.
No warning light warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic where the diagnosed the coil pack was melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed the coil pack had a shortage.
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 339 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Impreza has 64 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 194, 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.
- In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc
(SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years to (8) eight years / 150,000 miles to cover certain qualifying repairs to the…
- 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.
NHTSA lists 427 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 2019 Subaru Impreza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, visibility, electrical system. Total complaints: 194. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (11%), warning lights, check engine (5%), battery drain (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA lists 427 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 2019 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 2019 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.