IllustrationLEASED FROM BIZZAROS THE CAR WAS INSPECTED WITH A BROKEN SEAT BELT THERE'S RECALLS THE CAR KEEPS EATING BEARINGS AND HUBS THE CAR IS SIMPLY NOT SAFE AND BIZZAROS TOLD ME NOTHINGNESS IS WRONG WITH IT THE POWER TRAIN BRAKES AND ROTORS AND TIRES WERE FILLED TO 69PSI WHEN GOT IT
2012 Subaru Impreza
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Impreza years
Owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Impreza are substantially higher than the model-year median of 56.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Impreza years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
600–25K
3925–50K
3550–75K
1675–100K
29100–150K
9150K+
188 reports with mileage · 55 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- 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
Wheels complaints
7 reportsWHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY FAILED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR HIGHWAY OPERATION. WHEN ATTEMPTING THE (SUBARU) RECOMMENDED REPAIR THE OEM PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE BY SUBSTITUTED BY AN ALTERNATIVE PART FOR THIS CRITICAL REPAIR. WE HAVE RETAINED THE ORIGINAL PART FOR INSPECTION.
ORDERED & PURCHASED CAR 2012 BEGAN SENDING COMPLAINTS TO DEALER & MANUFACTURE ABOUT THE VEHICLE WANDERING OVER THE ROAD, BRAKES GRABBING, TIRES LOSING AIR, POOR TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, BAD BATTERY AND MANY MORE. AFTER MY COMPLAINTS WERE NEGLECTED I HAD TO SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE FAULTY FACTORY YOKOHAMA AVID TIRES @ 24K MILES & …
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ORDERED & PURCHASED CAR 2012 BEGAN SENDING COMPLAINTS TO DEALER & MANUFACTURE ABOUT THE VEHICLE WANDERING OVER THE ROAD, BRAKES GRABBING, TIRES LOSING AIR, POOR TRANSMISSION RESPONSE, BAD BATTERY AND MANY MORE. AFTER MY COMPLAINTS WERE NEGLECTED I HAD TO SAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE FAULTY FACTORY YOKOHAMA AVID TIRES @ 24K MILES & PURCHASED WARRANTEE DIRECT EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ADDRESS COMPLICATIONS (LIKE STARTER) THIS CAR HAS WELL UNDER 40K MILES NOW BUT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY & THE CAR WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED. THIS CAR ALWAYS USES COOLANT & BRAKE FLUID, AS WELL AS A STRANGE ENGINE OIL SITUATION (PRESENTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE CLASS ACTION OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM). I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NON-RESPONSIVE TRANSMISSION & POOR ACCELERATION. I'M ALREADY DISABLED FROM JOB-RELATED SPINAL INJURIES & HAVE DONE MY DARNEDEST TO DRIVE AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID DRIVING DURING RUSH TRAFFIC, CHECK TIRE PRESSURES & OIL USE SO I KEEP MY PERFECT DRIVING RECORD FOR INSURANCE & HEALTH PURPOSE. I THOUGHT THAT BUYING A NEW CAR KEEPS ONE FROM MANY PURCHASES YET, I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY ON THIS NEW CAR THAN ANY USED CAR. WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF? WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHICH FILES ARE BEST TO SEND?
IN 2014 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT STARTED BLINKING THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. NOW 2016 SAME PROBLEM NOW TOLD ONE OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM SENSORS IS AGAIN DEFECTIVE BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY.
HAVING TROUBLE IGNITION TURNING OVER I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ALWAYS TOLD MY CAR WAS FINE THIS CAR HAS RECALLS I WASN'T AWARE I HAD TO REPLACE TIRE & SENSOR WASN'T WORKING WAS TOLD IT WAS CLIMATE RELATED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN......THIS IS MY SECOND SUBARU ..I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED W THIS CAR.....NOW MY ABS…
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HAVING TROUBLE IGNITION TURNING OVER I HAVE TAKEN BACK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES ALWAYS TOLD MY CAR WAS FINE THIS CAR HAS RECALLS I WASN'T AWARE I HAD TO REPLACE TIRE & SENSOR WASN'T WORKING WAS TOLD IT WAS CLIMATE RELATED WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN......THIS IS MY SECOND SUBARU ..I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED W THIS CAR.....NOW MY ABS,CHECK ENGINE, AN TIRE GAUGES ARE BLINKING WHEN I WAS PARKING I JUST TOOK IT TO DEALER A WEEK AGO....I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE.
IN A CRIME RIDDEN NEIGHBORHOOD I HAD A FLAT TIRE WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE. THIS WAS DUE TO MY SUBARU LABELED AND PACKAGED "MCGARD" WHEEL KEY WHICH CRACKED AND BECAME UNUSABLE. TIRE SALES AND REPAIR FACILITY SUMMONED FOR ASSISTANCE REPORTS THEY HAVE A "BUCKET" FULL OF THIS BRAND OF WHEEL LOCK "KEYS" WHICH CRACKED AND BECAME U…
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IN A CRIME RIDDEN NEIGHBORHOOD I HAD A FLAT TIRE WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE. THIS WAS DUE TO MY SUBARU LABELED AND PACKAGED "MCGARD" WHEEL KEY WHICH CRACKED AND BECAME UNUSABLE. TIRE SALES AND REPAIR FACILITY SUMMONED FOR ASSISTANCE REPORTS THEY HAVE A "BUCKET" FULL OF THIS BRAND OF WHEEL LOCK "KEYS" WHICH CRACKED AND BECAME UNUSABLE. AFTER MY FIRST MCGARD WHEEL LOCK KEY CRACKED, MCGARD SENT ME A FREE WHEEL LOCK "KEY" AND SAID THE ORIGINAL CRACKED, BECAUSE SOMEONE USED EXCESSIVE AIR-WRENCH TORQUE TO REMOVE LUG NUTS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE UNTRUE, BECAUSE TO ELIMINATE THIS POSSIBILITY, I PERSONALLY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE FOUR KEYED WHEEL LOCKS (WITH MY BRAND NEW WHEEL LOCK KEY) PRIOR TO A TIRE ROTATION AT A TIRE SALES FACILITY. THE BRAND NEW WHEEL LOCK KEY CRACKED AGAIN (AFTER THE THIRD MCGARD LUG), SIMPLY BY ME TRYING TO REMOVE THE KEYED LUGS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED SUBARU LUG NUT TORQUE HAD BEEN APPROXIMATELY 62' LBS., AND IT IS NOW APPROXIMATELY 85' LBS. PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINT REGARDING THE UNUSABLE SUBARU SUPPLIED LUG WRENCH. I BELIEVE THIS AFFECTS 2013 MODELS, AND VERY POSSIBLY MODEL YEARS PRIOR TO 2012. *TR
UNABLE TO CHANGE FLAT TIRE. THE WHEEL-NUT OR LUG-NUT TORQUE REQUIRED BY SUBARU IS 89FT LBS. THIS TORQUE WAS THE TORQUE ON MY WHEEL-NUTS, AS VERIFIED TWICE BY A NEW-TIRE SALES FACILITY. WITH SUBARU'S 11 1/2" WRENCH, MOST WOMEN AND MANY MEN (MYSELF INCLUDED) CANNOT LOOSEN THESE NUTS. MY WEIGHTLIFTING NEIGHBOR COULD NOT BELIEVE …
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UNABLE TO CHANGE FLAT TIRE. THE WHEEL-NUT OR LUG-NUT TORQUE REQUIRED BY SUBARU IS 89FT LBS. THIS TORQUE WAS THE TORQUE ON MY WHEEL-NUTS, AS VERIFIED TWICE BY A NEW-TIRE SALES FACILITY. WITH SUBARU'S 11 1/2" WRENCH, MOST WOMEN AND MANY MEN (MYSELF INCLUDED) CANNOT LOOSEN THESE NUTS. MY WEIGHTLIFTING NEIGHBOR COULD NOT BELIEVE HE COULD NOT LOOSEN THE LUG-NUTS WITH THE SUPPLIED WRENCH. THEY ARE THAT TIGHT! THE OWNER'S MANUAL CAUTIONS NOT TO STAND ON THE WRENCH. THIS CONDITION CAN LEAVE SOMEONE STRANDED, PERHAPS IN A DANGEROUS AREA, OR UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. SUBARU SHOULD VERIFY THIS PROBLEM, BY HAVING INDIVIDUALS TRY TO LOOSEN THE NUTS. ANYONE WITH THIS VEHICLE (DO OTHER MODELS ALSO HAVE THIS CONDITION?) IS ADVISED TO FIGURE A WAY TO REMOVE THESE NUTS BEFORE AN EMERGENCY OCCURS. *TR
Official recalls
619V149000 · 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
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: 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
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: 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.
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
1PE15012 · 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.