2013 Subaru Impreza electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 16V738000Oct 13, 2016100,127 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

  Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

• Recall 13V061000Feb 25, 201347,419 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · EQUIPMENT

  Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

  Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

  Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 12, 2024OHElectrical System

   In the morning of 7-11-2024, I started the engine to go to work as usual. I found the engine light on and noticed strange symptoms from the hood, such as unusual loud noise. Thereafter, I lifted the hood and confirmed loud noise coming from somewhere. Then, I immediately shut down the engine (no key in ignition), but still, the secondary air pump kept running. I thought it may be blowing up, so I immediately disconnected the battery. I touched the pump and almost burnt my…

   NHTSA complaint #11601451 · source
2. Filed Aug 21, 2023MAAirbagsElectrical System

   During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.

   NHTSA complaint #11539768 · source
3. Filed Aug 13, 2023MNFireElectrical System

   The wires that connect to the climate control have started an electrical fire and burned out my climate control twice. Upon reporting this to Subaru they advised the climate control randomly not working is a very common problem as it can melt due to high heat outside (90-100+ temperature). Now upon replacing the climate control unit, the wire connected was burned as there was an active electrical fire that was the cause of the climate control not working because it could not…

   NHTSA complaint #11538195 · source
4. Filed Jul 15, 2022MAElectrical System

   Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or…

   NHTSA complaint #11474096 · source
5. Filed Oct 6, 2021NYBrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   Check engine/break/ABS/traction control/ cruise control and AT OIL TEMP lights are all on. Now my back break lights are not working! Car jerks at times. Read on a few forms that this was an issue for Subaru Imprezas 2012 and up. There was also a recall on this issue on April 2019. Please have this recalled again.

   NHTSA complaint #11435695 · source
6. Filed Sep 24, 2021NYBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Malfunction with my dashboard lights. ABS/ AT OIL TEMP/TRACKTION CONTROL/ HILL LIGHT and CRUISE CONTROL GAGE. Are all on car seems to run somewhat alright until car jerks then all of the mentioned issues comes on.

   NHTSA complaint #11434303 · source
7. Filed Sep 21, 2021NJAirbagsElectrical System

   Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the Airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same system.

   NHTSA complaint #11433780 · source
8. Filed Aug 6, 2021OHElectrical System

   Key gets stuck in ignition and cannot be removed when in park. This is a know issue and documented in Service Bulletin 16-112-18R.

   NHTSA complaint #11428013 · source
9. Filed Apr 29, 2021107,000 miMAFireElectrical System

   Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru impreza. The contact stated while having the vehicle inspected at a local mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that the wiring harness between the fan motor and climate control fan speed switch burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.*dt

   NHTSA complaint #11414459 · source
10. Filed Apr 4, 2021135,000 miMIElectrical SystemLightingTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle has known defect where the oil control valves on front of engine fail and leak oil onto main wiring harness. The defect manifests itself in electrical shorts, lighting failure, engine not being able to be started, engine function failing while in use, battery failure due to short circuit created among other issues impacting starting, running, safe useage and potential dangerous failure while operating vehicle. Previous complaint logged, no evidence that problem is…

    NHTSA complaint #11406313 · source
11. Filed Dec 31, 202089,000 miWAAirbagsElectrical System

    My passenger airbag sensor never turns on. Even if i have a passenger in the seat, the light still remains off. I know that the 2012 models used the same occupancy sensor as the 2013 impreza but the 2013 models haven't been recalled. This doesn't make any sense because they're the same exact models so they should also be recalled so they can be fixed. The seat has never been wet and i haven't been in any accidents, so this is a faulty occupancy sensor. I don't know why i…

    NHTSA complaint #11385935 · source
12. Filed Nov 15, 202070,000 miPAAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

    Periodically the "passenger air bag off" sign illuminates even though someone is in the passenger seat. I bought the car from enterprise rental several years ago and brought to their attention. Somehow their mechanic got light to go off. Problem has persisted but didn't pay much attention until now. My daughter will be driving the car. Do not trust the airbag or seat sensor.on passenger side.

    NHTSA complaint #11374721 · source

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. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology