IllustrationON DECEMBER 13, WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IT STARTED AT THE TOP CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND HAS GROWN SINCE. THERE IS NO IMPACT POINT OR REASON FOR THE CRACK.
2018 Subaru Impreza
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Impreza years
Owner complaints for the 2018 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
300–25K
1825–50K
150–75K
175–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
51 reports with mileage · 99 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.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
150 reportsTHE FRONT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED
WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR ONLY HAS 35K MILES ON IT.
WHEN STARTING THE SUBARU RELEASES DARK GREY SMOKE IN HIGH QUANTITIES, AND HAS BEEN LOOSING POWER WHEN SPEEDING UP.
ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 2020, WE FOUND THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2018 IMPREZA TO HAVE CRACKED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF IMPACTS. THE CRACK ORIGINATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE BOTTOM WHERE THE WIPER BLADE LOCATES, BUT HAS SPREAD QUICKLY IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS ' NOW REACHING ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE, AS SHOWN B…
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ON THE MORNING OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 2020, WE FOUND THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2018 IMPREZA TO HAVE CRACKED OVERNIGHT WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF IMPACTS. THE CRACK ORIGINATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE BOTTOM WHERE THE WIPER BLADE LOCATES, BUT HAS SPREAD QUICKLY IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS ' NOW REACHING ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE, AS SHOWN BY THE PHOTOS. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND REQUESTED A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. WE ARE AWAITING FOR A RESOLUTION.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. PARKED AT WORK IN MORNING, WHEN I RETURNED IN THE AFTERNOON ABOUT A 12 INCH CRACK ACROSS PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. NO CHIPS OR CRACKS WERE THERE BEFORE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN I SET DOWN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AFTER CLEANING IT. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.
I BEGAN THE LEASE OF MY 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON IN MARCH OF 2018. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019, I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. MY BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE, AND CONSIDERING THAT MY MILEAGE WAS 20,527, I FOUND THIS TO BE ODD. DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR UNTIL 10/5/19, AND HAD TO BRING IN A NEW TECH TO REMED…
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I BEGAN THE LEASE OF MY 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON IN MARCH OF 2018. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019, I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR BRAKE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. MY BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE, AND CONSIDERING THAT MY MILEAGE WAS 20,527, I FOUND THIS TO BE ODD. DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR UNTIL 10/5/19, AND HAD TO BRING IN A NEW TECH TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, AND THAT MY CAR WOULD BE THE "GUINEA PIG" TO FIGURE OUT THE SOLUTION. BROUGHT MY CAR IN AGAIN ON 2/26/20 FOR AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE BRAKE HOSES SWELLING. REPLACEMENT HAPPENED THEN. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 25,908. LESS THAN 5,000 MILES LATER, I BRING MY CAR IN AGAIN TO HAVE THE BRAKES LOOKED AT, AS THEY WERE SQUEALING. 9/19/2020, MILEAGE 30,770. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE BRAKES THEN, AND SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN AFTER LEAVING, AS THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE, AND HAD STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. I EMAILED VIDEOS OF THE NOISE ON 9/25, AND 9/30. I CALLED AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN ON 10/6/2020, THOUGH THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT IT THEN. THE BRAKES ALSO STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE BRAKING AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WAS QUITE STRONG. WENT IN ON 10/17/2020, AND HAD MY CAR UNTIL 10/22/2020. MILEAGE IN WAS 31,908, MILEAGE OUT WAS 32,044. INSPECTION BY THE TECH FOUND THAT THE ROTORS WERE HOT SPOTTED AND PADS WERE DISCOLORED. REPLACED FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. ON 10/27/2020 I EMAILED AGAIN WITH MORE VIDEOS OF THE BRAKES CONTINUING TO SQUEAL. I WAS ASKED IF I COULD BRING THE CAR IN, AND I DID AGAIN, SAME DAY. MILEAGE WAS 32,482. I WAS THEN TOLD AT PICKUP ON 11/4/2020 THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THE NOISE WAS BEING CAUSED BY A "SLAG GREASE BUILDUP ON THE CALIPER PINS." I WAS TOLD THAT SHOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ON THE DRIVE ON 11/4/2020, THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL AGAIN. CONTINUES TO SQUEAL DAILY ON ALL DRIVE TERRAINS.
WINDSHIELD CRACKING WITH ONLY LIGHT IMPACT. HAVE SEVERAL CRACKS FROM THESE IMPACTS. DID NOT HEAR IMPACT, NOTICED CRACK AFTER BEING IN SUN FOR A FEW HOURS. HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A WEAK WINDSHIELD.
DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOTICED THE MORNING OF JULY 12,2020 WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED OVERNIGHT FROM 6PM TO 8AM AT A RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT. THE DAMAGE APPEARED IN A SMALL "U" SHAPE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND QUICKLY INCREASED IN SIZE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
Official recalls
522V624000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Aug 12, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Jul 29, 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
21V264000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Apr 15, 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Electrical System:software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Electrical System:ignition
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
19V743000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software
Oct 18, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Electrical System:ignition
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Oct 17, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
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.