Subaru Impreza problems by model year

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 878 owner complaints and 43 recalls on file for the Subaru Impreza (2005–2026). The 2019 Impreza has the most serious complaints, most often about lighting.

Complaints: 878
Recalls: 43
Model years: 22
Worst year: 2019

Complaints by model year

NHTSA complaints per Subaru Impreza model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Subaru Impreza years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

2019 Subaru Impreza — 182 complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Lighting
2018 Subaru Impreza — 135 complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Lighting
2013 Subaru Impreza — 90 complaints, 5 crashes, 6 fires; top problem: Airbags
2017 Subaru Impreza — 81 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Lighting
2020 Subaru Impreza — 84 complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Visibility & Wipers

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (4 complaints).

Every Subaru Impreza model year

Year	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Recalls	Top problem
2026 Impreza	1	0	0	0	0	Wheels & Tires
2025 Impreza	5	1	0	0	0	Transmission & Drivetrain
2024 Impreza	32	3	2	3	2	Visibility & Wipers
2023 Impreza	4	0	0	0	2	Wheels & Tires
2022 Impreza	13	0	2	0	1	Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 Impreza	14	1	0	1	2	Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2020 Impreza	84	2	2	2	1	Visibility & Wipers
2019 Impreza	182	6	1	5	5	Lighting
2018 Impreza	135	3	1	0	5	Lighting
2017 Impreza	81	4	2	4	7	Lighting
2016 Impreza	41	2	0	1	1	Electrical System
2015 Impreza	37	1	0	0	2	Electrical System
2014 Impreza	51	5	0	2	3	Airbags
2013 Impreza	90	5	6	3	4	Airbags
2012 Impreza	50	0	2	0	6	Electrical System
2011 Impreza	9	0	1	0	14	Electrical System
2010 Impreza	11	0	1	0	15	Acceleration & Cruise Control
2009 Impreza	15	0	0	0	14	Transmission & Drivetrain
2008 Impreza	7	0	1	0	13	Transmission & Drivetrain
2007 Impreza	4	0	0	0	9	Brakes
2006 Impreza	6	0	0	0	9	Brakes
2005 Impreza	6	1	0	0	6	Suspension

Most common Subaru Impreza problem areas (all years)

Visibility & Wipers
187 complaints
Lighting
170 complaints
Electrical System
118 complaints
Engine
85 complaints
Airbags
75 complaints
Transmission & Drivetrain
61 complaints
Brakes
59 complaints
Steering
33 complaints
Wheels & Tires
31 complaints
Body & Structure
29 complaints

Complaint trend

Complaints about the Subaru Impreza received by NHTSA each month.

Subaru Impreza recalls

Recall 23V754000Nov 9, 20234,701 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V647000Sep 21, 20234,311 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V551000Aug 4, 202335,357 vehiclesModel years 2024
Risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V292000Apr 25, 20234,030 vehiclesModel years 2023
Risk: An unintentional brake light illumination can fail to alert other motorists of actual brake application. A vehicle that shifts out of the park position unexpectedly can allow the vehicle to rollaway. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 23V076000Feb 13, 2023130 vehiclesModel years 2005
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Recall 22V712000Sep 22, 202242 vehiclesModel years 2022
Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 22V624000Aug 12, 2022188,397 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V675000Aug 30, 2021802 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2021
Risk: A separated control arm may cause the tire to contact the wheel well, resulting in a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V587000Jul 29, 2021175,968 vehiclesModel years 2018–2020
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V264000Apr 15, 2021466,205 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 21V024000Jan 26, 2021383 vehiclesModel years 2021
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Recall 20V218000Apr 16, 2020188,207 vehiclesModel years 2019
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 20V001000Jan 2, 2020258,813 vehiclesModel years 2005–2011
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V003000Jan 2, 2020111,562 vehiclesModel years 2005–2011
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 20V002000Jan 2, 2020127,547 vehiclesModel years 2005–2011
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V743000Oct 18, 2019466,205 vehiclesModel years 2017–2019
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V745000Oct 17, 2019251 vehiclesModel years 2017
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V744000Oct 17, 2019205,000 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 19V297000Apr 11, 2019511 vehiclesModel years 2008–2011
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Recall 19V149000Feb 28, 20191,303,530 vehiclesModel years 2008–2016
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Recall 19V008000Jan 9, 2019330,120 vehiclesModel years 2010–2011
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V007000Jan 9, 201943,394 vehiclesModel years 2010–2011
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 19V009000Jan 9, 2019452,630 vehiclesModel years 2010–2011
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Recall 18V772000Nov 1, 2018165,534 vehiclesModel years 2012–2014
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Recall 18V014000Jan 9, 201872,150 vehiclesModel years 2009
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Other Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology