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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

13 reports
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95,000 miles · Mar 16, 2022
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempt…

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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempted to drive forward when the vehicle revved up again and accelerated independently. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however they failed to respond. The vehicle came to a stop at the opposite of the road blocking traffic. The contact managed to park the vehicle and activate the emergency brakes. The contact sustained injuries to their knee and chest area. No medical attention was not needed. There was damage to their home. There was no police report filed. The contact's insurance had the vehicle towed to a repair shop who was not able to find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who was unable to identify the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11456985

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2021
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

Slowing down to pull into a parking space when I put my foot on the brake to shift into park, the car lurched forward and accelerated over a parking barrier and into a brick wall. Unexplained acceleration. This was not driver error. I felt a few unexplained accelerations previously but thought it was a mistake on my end. In this…

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Slowing down to pull into a parking space when I put my foot on the brake to shift into park, the car lurched forward and accelerated over a parking barrier and into a brick wall. Unexplained acceleration. This was not driver error. I felt a few unexplained accelerations previously but thought it was a mistake on my end. In this instance, my foot was nowhere near the acceleration pedal. It was very very frightening. I am now waiting for the insurance adjusters. My car was damaged. I damaged the building and another car tat was parked inside the building. This is a significant safety issue. Consumer stated insurance provider stated it is a total loss and wants to take possession of the car.

NHTSA ODI #11422728

61,521 miles · Mar 7, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control

ON (3) SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION). EACH TIME (SHORTLY AFTER), I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN GLEN MILLS, PA FOR INSPECTION. THOSE DATES ARE: 6/25/16, 1/16/20, 2/27/21. EACH TIME THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT…

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ON (3) SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION). EACH TIME (SHORTLY AFTER), I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN GLEN MILLS, PA FOR INSPECTION. THOSE DATES ARE: 6/25/16, 1/16/20, 2/27/21. EACH TIME THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT (2016), I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (WITHIN 3 MINUTES OF HOME). THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR. I PANICKED (HIT THE ACCELERATOR HARDER), BUT WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE SECOND INCIDENT (2020) , I HAD JUST LEFT WORK, WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AS BEFORE. AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR BY BRAKING LIKE NORMAL. THE THIRD TIME (2021), I WAS ABOUT HALFWAY HOME (FROM WORK) TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE LIKE NORMAL AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. EACH INCIDENT WAS SIMILAR IN THE SENSE THAT IT "FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS POSSESSED". IT REMINDED ME OF A CAR WASH WHEN THE CAR FIRST MOVES ON ITS OWN. IT FELT DIFFERENT FROM SIMPLY "TRAVELING FASTER". I ALSO MENTIONED TO THE MECHANIC THAT MY CAR SOMETIMES "LUNGES" AT A RED LIGHT. THIS OCCASIONALLY OCCURS WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR. A FEW TIMES I NEEDED TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE SO IT DIDN'T ADVANCE FORWARD AND HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR. AS A RESULT, I TRY TO "WARM UP" MY CAR A SHORT WHILE BEFORE DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW IF THE "LUNGING" RELATES TO THE OTHER INCIDENTS. I AM ATTACHING THE PAPERWORK FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ALL (3) REPORTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE SINGLE PDF. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE DETAIL OR HAVE QUESTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11399638

71,747 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

CAR WAS PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, IT SHOT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A TRAILER AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE. THE IMPACT FROM THE TRAILER BROKE A HOLE IN THE GARAGE WALL. TOTAL DISTANCE …

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CAR WAS PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, IT SHOT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A TRAILER AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE. THE IMPACT FROM THE TRAILER BROKE A HOLE IN THE GARAGE WALL. TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ABOUT 25'.

NHTSA ODI #11388673

100,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

CAR THROWS A P2138 CODE AND CAR GOES IN LIMP MODE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NON-RESPONSIVE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESET ECU TO GET BACK ON ROAD. HAVE REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE BODY, RELAY, AND ECM AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP. HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY STOCK AND COBB ACCESSPORT TUNED TO STAGE 1. HAPP…

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CAR THROWS A P2138 CODE AND CAR GOES IN LIMP MODE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NON-RESPONSIVE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESET ECU TO GET BACK ON ROAD. HAVE REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE BODY, RELAY, AND ECM AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP. HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY STOCK AND COBB ACCESSPORT TUNED TO STAGE 1. HAPPENS TUNED AND STOCK. HAPPENS SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTUP AND OTHER TIMES WHILE MAINTAINING 70MPH LM THE HIGHWAY. HAPPENED WHEN I WAS OUT OF GEAR COASTING TO A STOP SIGN. RANDOM OCCURRENCE. SUBARU HAS NO SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11289191

78,095 miles · Aug 10, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

ON 07/08/2019 I TOOK MY SUBARU IMPREZA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALLS WUE90 AND WTY84 COMPETED. IT NOW SEEMS THAT WHATEVER WORK WAS DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALLS HAS BEEN CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON 07/09, AND I PICKED IT UP THAT DAY. BEGINNING ON 07/10, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE A…

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ON 07/08/2019 I TOOK MY SUBARU IMPREZA TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALLS WUE90 AND WTY84 COMPETED. IT NOW SEEMS THAT WHATEVER WORK WAS DONE TO SATISFY THE RECALLS HAS BEEN CAUSING THE CAR TO MALFUNCTION. THE RECALL SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON 07/09, AND I PICKED IT UP THAT DAY. BEGINNING ON 07/10, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. SO FAR, THESE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE DISPLAYED FOR A PORTION, OR FOR THE ENTIRETY, OF 22 OF THE PAST 32 DAYS. BOTH LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE AND VDC) HAVE DISPLAYED TOGETHER EVERY TIME, AND ARE USUALLY ON OR OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION AND I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT (-21.6%) DECREASE FROM MY AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE. ON FOUR OCCASIONS THAT I AM ABLE TO RECALL, THE WARNING LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON UNDER BRAKING (I.E. THEY WERE OFF WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND THEN TURNED ON AT SOME POINT DURING MY TRIP WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES). WHETHER THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON OR OFF, I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHAT ISN'T WORKING (OTHER THAN THE CRUISE CONTROL AS I MENTIONED). I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO SUBARU TWICE TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE: FIRST ON 07/10 AND THEN ON 08/07. THEY SCANNED THE CODES, DID SOME WORK ON IT, AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME, CLAIMING THAT IT WAS FIXED. THE ONE THING THEY ARE FAILING TO CONSIDER IS THAT THE PROBLEM MAY ACTUALLY BE RELATED TO THE SERVICE PERFORMED TO COMPLETE THE RECALLS BECAUSE I'VE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE VDC SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON DURING THAT PERIOD EITHER. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. ATTACHMENT: PHOTO OF WARNING LIGHTS AFTER LEAVING THE CAMELBACK SUBARU (PHOENIX, AZ) SERVICE SHOP ON 08/07/2019.

NHTSA ODI #11242937

73,723 miles · Apr 24, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed ControlWheels

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/ZUJIGGDQQ5E

NHTSA ODI #11203294

2,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES IN 2013. FOR BOTH CRASHES, WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED IN BOTH CASES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES IN 2013. FOR BOTH CRASHES, WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED IN BOTH CASES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN EITHER CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND TOWED AFTER THE FIRST CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT SHE WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2013. THE CONTACT FOUND OUT THAT SOMEONE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED IT PRIOR TO IT BEING PURCHASED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTONATION SUBARU WEST (16351 W COLFAX AVE, GOLDEN, CO 80401, (303) 578-6120). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #11182394

10 miles · Feb 18, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING IN THE 95 NORTH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOCK OUT! MY SON BROUGHT THE CAR TO GARAVEL SUBARU GARAGE IN NORWALK CT. WHERE DIEGO WHO IS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT GARAVEL SUBARU TOOK CARE OF IT, THAT WAS ON NOVEMBER 18/2017 UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 11/28 OR 29 2017! WHEN HE PICK UP THE CAR AT GRAVEL SUBARU, THE CAR THE THE…

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WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING IN THE 95 NORTH SUDDENLY THE CAR LOCK OUT! MY SON BROUGHT THE CAR TO GARAVEL SUBARU GARAGE IN NORWALK CT. WHERE DIEGO WHO IS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT GARAVEL SUBARU TOOK CARE OF IT, THAT WAS ON NOVEMBER 18/2017 UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 11/28 OR 29 2017! WHEN HE PICK UP THE CAR AT GRAVEL SUBARU, THE CAR THE THE SAME THING WITH THE CLUTCH AGAIN! MY SOME BROUGHT AGAIN THE CAR TO THE GARAGE ON DECEMBER 23/2017- UNTIL JANUARY 4/2018,WHO WAS CHECK AGAIN AND THE COME UP THAT THE CAR DOESN'T HAVE ANY THING WRONG. MY SON CAME BACK WITH THE CAR, WITH THE MIND SET THE EVERYTHING WAS OK. AN HE WAS RISK HE LIFE AND OTHER LIFE WITH THE DEFECTIVE CAR.! STILL. AND THE CLUTCH DID AGAIN, LOCK OUT!!! HE BROUGHT THE CAR AGAIN ON JANUARY 28 ON OR ABOUT 2018 AND CURRENTLY THERE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE!

NHTSA ODI #11073499

27,000 miles · Dec 26, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

DRIVING UP A SLIGHT GRADE INTO HOME GARAGE I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR VERY SLIGHTLY . THE CAR SHOT SUDDENLY FORWARD AND FOOTBRAKE DID NOT RESPOND. CAR SIDESWIPED OTHER CAR AND BROKE THRU REAR PANEL OF GARAGE BEFORE I COULD STOP IT WITH HANDBRAKE. MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11056599

Official recalls

4

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.