IllustrationTHE VALVE SPRINGS RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED SINCE 10/31 WITH NO REMEDY. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY HARMFUL THING! WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE OR AT LEAST GET MY CAR FIXED
2013 Subaru Impreza
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Impreza years
Owner complaints for the 2013 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
370–25K
2225–50K
3850–75K
3375–100K
20100–150K
4150K+
154 reports with mileage · 95 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 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports7 fire reports3 injury reports
Engine complaints
74 reportsHIGH RPM WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP RPMS RETURN TO NORMAL. CHOKE ISSUE? IT'S BEEN THIS WAY SINCE NEW.
OIL IN CAR BECOMES LOW BETWEEN OIL CHANGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.
OIL DRIPS FROM GASKET ON TOO HOT PART OF ENGINE CAUSING A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE YET BUT WE WERE INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF NOT REPAIRED HAVE ANY INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE ON SUBARUS BEEN RECORDED TO THIS DAY?
VECHILE BURNING OIL AT A RATE OF A QUART EVERY 1500 MILES,SUBARU STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL, MECHANICS TOLD ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL..I HAVE HAD OLD CLUNKERS WITH HIGH MILLAGE THAT DID NOT BURN THIS MUCH OIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT STARTED TO CONSUME AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF OIL, MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER EVERY 1,200 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 5,500 MILES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT STARTED TO CONSUME AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF OIL, MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER EVERY 1,200 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 5,500 MILES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND A TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED AT 30,000 MILES. PER THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN EVERY 1,200 MILES FOR AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. AFTER THE SEVENTH TEST, IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEALER THAT THE SMALL BLOCK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
CAR CONSUMES OIL EXCESSIVELY. EVERY 3000 MILES I NEED A QUART OF OIL. IT'S RIDICULOUS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
FIRST AT 10,496 THEN AT APPROXIMATELY 17,163; 19,031; AND 21,182 MILES THE LOW OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN MY CAR. BETWEEN 19,031 AND 21,182 MILES I ADDED APPROXIMATELY 4.0 QUARTS OF OIL TO MY ENGINE. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. *TR
AFTER 3,000-5,000 MILES ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I ASKED SURPRISINGLY, " HOW CAN THIS BE?" " I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND IT'S A NEW CAR." AFTER ADDING A QUART (AND KEEPING AN EYE ON) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN 3,000 MILES AFTER MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THIS C…
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AFTER 3,000-5,000 MILES ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I ASKED SURPRISINGLY, " HOW CAN THIS BE?" " I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND IT'S A NEW CAR." AFTER ADDING A QUART (AND KEEPING AN EYE ON) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN 3,000 MILES AFTER MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT BURNS THAT MUCH OIL, UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE CASE, AND SUBARU IS COVERING THEIR TAIL BY STATING THAT ITS NORMAL FOR THE AUTOMOBILE TO "CONSUME" THAT AMOUNT OF OIL. " JUST LOOK IN YOUR USERS MANUAL." I DON'T BELIEVE SO. I THINK THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IF THEY ARE TO CONTINUE CLAIMING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I AM ONE WHO IS FAR FROM IT! *TR
Official recalls
419V149000 · 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.
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.