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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

3 reports

Clear category filter

22,406 miles · Dec 14, 2016

Fuel System, GasolineFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

DRIVING HOME ON 12/11/16, THE CHECK ENGINE, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY. CHECK ENGINE AND VDC INDICATORS WERE STEADY, BUT CRUISE CONTROL WAS BLINKING. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE SO I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO SUBARU TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY DISCOVERED CODE P1449: "EVAP SYSTEM CLUGGED CHECK & FOUND SPIDER WEBS IS EVAP DRAIN & VALVE ASSY. TECH RECOMMEND REPLACE EVAP DRAIN & VALVE ASSY." THEY REPLACED EVAP DRAIN & VALVE ASSEMBLY AND PERFORMED EVAP SYSTEM CLEAN REINSTALL WHICH FIXED THE ISSUE. TOTAL COST 617.28 (416.50 FOR 3.5 HOURS LABOR, 41.16 FOR VALVE AY DRA, 159.62 FOR VALVE AY ELC). WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR IN DEC 2011, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY (GOLD PLUS) WHICH COVERS 6 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES WITH $0 DEDUCTIBLE. BEFORE FIXING THE PROBLEM ABOVE, THEY ESTIMATED IT WOULD COST ME $600-$700 OUT OF POCKET SINCE THEY SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY A SPIDER AND NOT A PART DEFECT. I CALLED SUBARU'S WARRANTY DEPARTMENT WHICH SAID THE SAME THING. I MENTIONED THAT MAZDA, SUZUKI, HONDA, AND HYUNDAI ALL HAD THIS PROBLEM A FEW YEARS BACK AND THAT MAZDA AND SUZUKI HAD RECALLS, WHILE HONDA AND HYUNDAI WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SUBARU AGAIN STATED THAT THEY DO NOT COVER IT. AFTER THE FIX, A SERVICE CENTER ADVISOR SAID HE SEES THIS PROBLEM A LOT BUT UNFORTUNATELY SUBARU DOES NOT COVER IT. I ASKED HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND HE SAID TO SPRAY PEPPERMINT OIL OCCASIONALLY AROUND THE FUEL TANK AREA BELOW THE CAR SINCE THE SMELL DETERS PESTS. I PAID THE BILL TO GET MY CAR. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE A RECALL OF SOME SORT SHOULD BE ISSUED BY SUBARU TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN OR AT LEAST HAVE THE PROBLEM BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT TO YOU AND HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME RECOVER THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10935185

1,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2012 AND HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADDED 1 QUART +/- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1,200 MILES, MORE OFTEN AND INCREASED ADDED OIL VOLUME DURING EXTENDED DRIVING TIMES. I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH SUBARU DEALERS/SERVICE MANAGERS IN 3 DIFFERENT CALIFORNIA CITIES WHOM HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THIS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE AND HAVE CASUALLY EXPLAINED THE CONSUMPTION OF 3-5 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AS NORMAL. RESEARCH SEEMS TO SHOW THAT SOME SUBARU DEALERS HAVE BEGUN TO REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINES THAT ARE CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL, BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WITH DOCUMENTED OIL LOSS. THOSE PEOPLE THAT VISIT THE DEALER EXCLUSIVELY FOR THEIR SERVICE ARE LIKELY THE ONES WHO WILL HAVE THEIR ENGINES REPLACED WITHOUT COST, LEAVING THE REST OF US OUT TO DRY. SUBARU NEEDS TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM, NOT SWEEP THE ISSUE UNDER THE RUG AND FORCE THE SUBARU CUSTOMER BASE TO PAY TOO MUCH FOR AN ENGINE THAT WAS NOT MEANT TO LAST.

NHTSA ODI #10731342

21,500 miles · Mar 26, 2015

Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO FUEL THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL VENT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK OUT. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AW…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10701929

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.