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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5,000 miles · Aug 11, 2015

Air Bags

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THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SUBURBAN ROAD WITH A PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS ON FOR THE FIRST ~20 MINUTES OF THE TRIP, THEN RANDOMLY TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WENT ON AGAIN, BUT THEN WENT BACK OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS AIRBAG ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SPORADICALLY SINCE THEN, BOTH ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY/SUBURBAN ROADS, AND AFTER 15 MINUTES-2 HOURS OF DRIVING. ALL PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN OVER 130 POUNDS AND HAVE BEEN SITTING UP STRAIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10747754

30,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015

Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES WHEN A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONTAL DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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NHTSA ODI #10735831

13,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015

Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER. FIRST 10 MILES HAD NO PROBLEM, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE LAST HALF MILE OF THE TRIP IT WENT ON. I DROPPED THE PASSENGER OFF AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON ANOTHER 2 MILES AS I REACHED MY DESTINATION. SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE LIGHT WAS NO…

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NHTSA ODI #10735679

22,120 miles · Jul 16, 2015

Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHILE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. IT WILL TURN ON FOR APPROX. 10-15 MINUTES THAN DEACTIVATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE OCCUPANT IS STILL SEATED CAUSING THE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON THE DASH. HAS HAPPENED CONSISTENTLY WHILE ON DRIVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. PASSANGER AIRBAG SYSTEM TURNS OFF WHILE PASSANGE…

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NHTSA ODI #10734520

65,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2012 AND REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…

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NHTSA ODI #10733643

52,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015

Air Bags

WHEN A PASSENGER SITS ON PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON INDICATING AIR BAG ENGAGED. I AM FEARFUL THAT IF I DID HAVE A CRASH THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY AND PASSSENGER GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE.

NHTSA ODI #10731645

33,600 miles · Jun 20, 2015

Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WITH ADULT IN PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHING 260 LBS

NHTSA ODI #10726358

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2015

Air BagsSeats

MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T REGISTER THE PASSENGER AND DISABLES THE AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI #10722026

4,554 miles · May 21, 2015

Air Bags

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DASHBOARD LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY INDICATE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED WHILE I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. ISSUE WOULD RESOLVE UPON TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, BUT IT RECURRED FREQUENTLY. THE ISSUE WAS DETERMINED TO BE CAUSED BY A FAULTY OCCUPANCY SENSOR, WHICH USED A NEW CAPACITIVE TECHNOLOGY RATHER THAN THE OLDER STYLE WEIGHT SENSORS. OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN SEPTEMBER 2012. FOLLOWING THE REPAIR, THE NEW OCCUPANCY SENSOR DETECTS A PASSENGER AND ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS IF I PLACE A SMALL ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUCH AS A CELL PHONE ON THE SEAT, OR EVEN JUST REST MY HAND ON IT. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS NEW ISSUE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI #10717768

65,000 miles · May 20, 2015

Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT WENT OFF WHILE OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT CAPACITIVE SENSOR HAS FAILED AND HAS ORDERED A NEW SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO YOUR NEWLY OPENED INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE15012 DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: APR 10, 2015. I WILL …

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NHTSA ODI #10717562

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.