Air Bags. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

105 reports

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109,000 miles · Jan 21, 2020

Air Bags

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I VERY RARELY DETAIL MY VEHICLE. ONLY ONCE WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN 2013 AND AGAIN RECENTLY. BOTH TIMES, THE SEATS WERE STILL WET FROM THE DETAILING PROCESS WHEN I PICKED IT UP. BOTH TIMES, WHILE SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE IT WAS STILL SLIGHTLY WET, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT ON. IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THE CAR WAS MOVING OR STATIONARY. ONCE THE SEAT DRIED, THE AIRBAG APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE ATTACHED PICTURE WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #11300882

5 miles · Dec 11, 2019

Air Bags

WHEN DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER THE AIR BAG FOR THE PASSENGER WILL NOT TURN ON AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL COME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11288490

52,000 miles · Oct 14, 2019

Air Bags

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THE SEAT GETS WET WHEN SOMETHING IS SPILLED, OR WHEN THE PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT WITH DAMP/WET CLOTHES BECAUSE THEY GOT WET BECAUSE IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WORKS PROPERLY WHEN THE SEAT DRIES OUT IN A FEW DAYS. THIS HAS HAPPENE…

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NHTSA ODI #11268343

86,000 miles · Aug 23, 2019

Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHILE THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT JOHN HOWARD SUBARU IN MORGANTOWN, WV. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES TO ME AS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO PICTURES OF THE LIGHTS WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WASN'T WETTH…

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NHTSA ODI #11245971

110,000 miles · Aug 15, 2019

Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. SEAT IS NOT WET. MY 2012 IMPREZA WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS THIS SENSOR FAILS QUITE OFTEN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE …

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NHTSA ODI #11244215

79,000 miles · May 18, 2019

Air Bags

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THE AIRBAG SYMBOL TURNS ON AT ALMOST RANDOM TIMES, INDICATING THAT THERE IS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME I DRIVE, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON DURING MY DRIVE, WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. SOMETIMES IF I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF - BUT THERE IS NO CONSISTENT PATTERN. TODAY THE LIGHT CAME ON, I PARKED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI #11208472

40,000 miles · Apr 8, 2019

Air Bags

MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERTKC19 - NHTSA RECALL NUMBER19V009000. VARIOUS SUBARU DEALERSHIPS ARE BOOKED THROUGH OCTOBER '19, AND JANUARY '20 IN THE MA AREA. THIS IS FORCING PEOPLE TO DRIVE WITH DEFECTIVE VEHICLES FOR FAR TO LONG. THE ONLY INFORMATION I COULD GET OUT OF THE PHONE REPS WAS THAT THEY ARE LIMITED TO HOW MANY OF THESE …

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NHTSA ODI #11194648

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2019

Air BagsSeatsUnknown Or Other

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THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR (ODS) CANNOT DETECT A PERSON WHEN SEATED IN THE PASSENGER. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THE ENGINE ON AND OFF; WHILE IN MOTION AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASH REMAINS ILLUMINATED "OFF" ALSO, THE AIRBAG SYMBOL TURNS ON AT ALMOST RANDOM TIMES, INDICATING THAT THERE IS AN ERROR WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME I DRIVE, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON DURING MY DRIVE, WHETHER I AM DRIVING ALONE OR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. SOMETIMES IF I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN IT BACK ON, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF - BUT THERE IS NO CONSISTENT PATTERN.

NHTSA ODI #11181995

102,000 miles · Nov 2, 2018

Air Bags

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V419000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF CORVALLIS (LOCATED AT 800 NW 5TH ST, CORVALLIS, OR 97330, (541) 754-1515) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #11144997

130,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018

Air BagsSeats

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SHOWS PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED WHILE A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR STOPPED. CAR IS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA 5-DOOR WAGON, BUILT 10/2011. I SEE 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THOSE, BUT MY CAR IS A 5-DOOR WAGON AND…

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NHTSA ODI #11141154

Official recalls

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 28, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 1, 2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

16V738000 · Electrical System

Oct 13, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

15V419000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jul 1, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.

13V061000 · Electrical System; Equipment

Feb 25, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

Consequence: 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.

Electrical System

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.

11V562000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Nov 29, 2011

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE15012 · Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression

Opened Apr 10, 2015 · Closed Jul 15, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on April 10, 2015 based on 26 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports involving the passenger frontal air bag in MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles.These vehicles use a capacitive type Occupant Detection System (ODS), which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full sized, small stature, a child seat, or other object.The reports alleged that the ODS failed to operate properly and incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied.In a frontal crash sufficient to warranty deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On June 25, 2015, Subaru of America, Inc. submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) advising NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the ODS in 32,400 MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles equipped with a capacitance type ODS for the front passenger's seat.The DIR notes that the WRX/STI models are excluded from this recall as they are equipped with a different type (weight-recognition based) ODS for the front passenger's seat. ODI is closing this investigation based on Subaru's recall action.The ODI reports cited above can be viewed at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues under the following ID numbers:10668512, 10668243, 10662987, 10641835, 10640574, 10626384, 10622234, 10621456, 10619273, 10605789, 10604506, 10575908, 10559081, 10557856, 10556661, 10545059, 10538562, 10532118, 10481308, 10478660, 10473662, 10472608, 10470865, 10468157, 10463432, 10672345, 10712288, 10713178, 10731645.