AI Damage2020 Subaru Impreza: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Subaru Impreza filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about visibility and service brakes. The maker issued 378 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 85
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 378
What fails most often
- 1 Visibility 66% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 4% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 1% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 1% of all complaints
- Visibility: 56 complaints (66% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (5% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 221.
- Engine: 3 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
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 85 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 | 56 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 221 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 40 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 129 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 33 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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
I believe this article describes the cause of the issue. Thankfully the vehicle was parked in my driveway, and did not roll into the street or harm any people, but it could have. 2020 Subaru Impreza Wrx Service Brakes related problems [link]
The car stopped running as the fire caught- I ( the driver ) had to push the vehicle physically away from the building and cars and got away only one minute before it entirely exploded. Whether or not the problem has been confirmed or reproduced elsewhere is UNKNOWN.
NOTHING TO DO WITH EYESIGHT THAT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHENEVER THERE IS A WARNING LIGHT ON." The modulator is a safety critical component which undergoes extensive life time testing, one out of 4 pressure sensors should not fail during vehicle life time.
White smoke mechanic claims oil mixed with the antifreeze. And stated that the engine needed to be replaced.
Both rear doors will intermittently not open when unlocked from both the inside or the outside. I am unsure if this is electrical or related to the door components itself.
Are they making these windows with inferior materials or thinner? I hate to think that an inferior window will not hold up or perform as designed in a major accident, possibly causing greater injury or death.
The windows were up and the car was not running. I was sitting in passenger side went to light my cigarette and with no warning at all KABOOM!!! Car exploded catching my hair on fire as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on hands and 1st and 2nd degree burns on face.
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 635 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Impreza has 64 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 85, above average.
What to check before buying
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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 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 378 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 2020 Subaru Impreza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: visibility, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 85. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (4%), windows, sunroof (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA lists 378 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 2020 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 2020 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.