AI Damage2022 Subaru Impreza: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Impreza filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and visibility. The maker issued 250 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 250
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 21% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 159.
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 14 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 22 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 159 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 39 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The tires appear visibly in tact, but the bends cause damage over time by uneven wear and cause the vehicle to shake at highway speeds.
This issue posed a safety risk, as the compromised brake lines could rupture under braking pressure, potentially resulting in reduced or complete loss of braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash. To safely operate the vehicle, replacement of the rear brake lines was required.
We have a hesitation when hitting the gas with our Subaru Impreza. I took it to a mechanic who said there isn't officially an issue with the car, but it is consistent with a CRT transmition issue on other Subarus. The only way we are able to fix it is to take it to a Subaru dealership who insist there isn't an issue.
There were no signs of transmission failure car ran perfectly fine and had been serviced and new tires 7 days before. This could have caused a very serious accident.
On [XXX], my 2022 Subaru Impreza caught fire in Lincolnwood, IL. My sister in-law and nephew escaped the vehicle just before it was consumed by the fire. The Lincolnwood Fire Department Fire Inspector said the fire was caused by a defected car battery. The car was declared a total loss.
Driving between 40-50mph on streets, my tire burst and the rubber part completely shredded off. I just had my tires checked a couple weeks ago where they said everything was great. This tire completely disintegrated out of nowhere and nearly damaged my rim!
Another thing is the windows in the front doors (both front windows) when you put them up in the automatic faze they will go up but come back down to the center of the opening ,this happens a lot but not ??
All of a sudden the car would not move, all the warning lights came on, and we could smell a burning smell. The car was towed to the dealership where it was purchased. They discovered a rubber hose leading to the transmission had somehow gotten cut and all the transmission fluid leaked out.
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 1,374 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 35% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Impreza has 64 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 14, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 250 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 2022 Subaru Impreza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, visibility, steering. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (21%), transmission slipping (14%), warning lights, check engine (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA lists 250 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 2022 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 2022 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.