IllustrationPASSENGER AIR BAG TURNS OFF WHILE OCCUPANT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN I PLUG MY PHONE CHARGER INTO THE CAR. ALONG WITH AIR BAG LIGHT GOING OFF, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE CAR POWERED DOWN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY.
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
Air Bags complaints
105 reportsTHE AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DURING TRAVEL. THE PASSESGER AIRBAG DISPLAY IS ON AT THE START BUT THEN SWITCHES TO OFF WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, AFTER AROUND 20 MINUTES OR MORE OF DRIVING. SO FAR, RESTARTING THE CAR HAS PUT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BACK ON, BUT THIS REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO FIND A SAFE PLACE…
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THE AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECT THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DURING TRAVEL. THE PASSESGER AIRBAG DISPLAY IS ON AT THE START BUT THEN SWITCHES TO OFF WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, AFTER AROUND 20 MINUTES OR MORE OF DRIVING. SO FAR, RESTARTING THE CAR HAS PUT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BACK ON, BUT THIS REQUIRES THE DRIVER TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN JUNE, ONCE IN JULY, AND NOW TWICE THIS WEEK (BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER). IN JUNE AND JULY WE WERE ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70 MPH. THIS WEEK WE WERE DRIVING IN TOWN AT 40 MPH. THE CAR WAS MOVING STRAIGHT AT THE TIME. THE SEAT WAS NOT WET.
OCCUPANT DETECTION SUSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTION, DOES NOT ALWAYS RECOGNIZE PASSENGER. SOMETIME S IT STOPS WORKING IN MIDDLE OF TRIP. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND DOES NOT ALWAYS RESOLVE WITH RESTARTING CAR. HAS TO DO WITH CAPACITANCE DETECTION, BUT SO FAR SUBARU DEALERS I CONTACT ACT LIKE IT'S …
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OCCUPANT DETECTION SUSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE MALFUNCTION, DOES NOT ALWAYS RECOGNIZE PASSENGER. SOMETIME S IT STOPS WORKING IN MIDDLE OF TRIP. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND DOES NOT ALWAYS RESOLVE WITH RESTARTING CAR. HAS TO DO WITH CAPACITANCE DETECTION, BUT SO FAR SUBARU DEALERS I CONTACT ACT LIKE IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THOUGH EARLIER MODEL APPARENTLY HAS RECALL FOR EXACT ISSUE. AND NO THE PASSENGER ISN'T WET. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER A YEAR AND WE HAVE PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED CAR, BUT ON RECENT TRIP IT WAS MUCH WORSE. AND SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ANYWAY!
THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT RIGHT SEAT THE AIRBAG SIGN WILL SAY PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY.
PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S AIR BAGS WILL SHOW DISABLED WHENEVER AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE IS PRESENT ON THE PERSON IN THE SEAT. OCCURS IN ALL CONDITIONS. DOES NOT ENABLE AFTER REMOVING ELECTRONIC DEVICE FROM PERSON.
MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, WITH AN ACCOMPANYING LOUD TONE, AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT SENSES SOMETHING VERY LIGHT LIKE MY PHONE ON THE SEAT, SETS OFF THE WARNING, AND STOPS WHEN I REMOVE THE OBJECT. OTHER TIMES, WHEN THERE ACT…
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MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, WITH AN ACCOMPANYING LOUD TONE, AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT SENSES SOMETHING VERY LIGHT LIKE MY PHONE ON THE SEAT, SETS OFF THE WARNING, AND STOPS WHEN I REMOVE THE OBJECT. OTHER TIMES, WHEN THERE ACTUALLY IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, A DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON SAYING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS ON ITS OWN, ALSO RANDOMLY. I SELDOM HAVE PASSENGERS, SO IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM I HAVE IGNORED OVER THE YEARS. BUT WHEN I HAD A CAR SAVVY PASSENGER RECENTLY, HE SUGGESTED I FOLLOW UP ON WHAT COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR MY CAR'S MODEL YEAR. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED MICHAEL'S SUBARU IN BELLEVUE, WHERE I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER CARS IN THE RECALL HAD. PLEASE ADVISE.
THE PASSENGER SIZE OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAULTY, WHEN YOU HAVE A CELLPHONE IN YOUR HAND OR TOUCH THE METAL DOOR IT TURNS THE AIRBAG OFF AND THEN DOES NOT TURN IT BACK ON UNTIL A KEY CYCLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MICHAEL HOHL SUBARU (2910 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, NV 89701, (775-885-0400) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE OCCUPANT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CODE 'B16 50" APPEARED. THE DEALER ST…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MICHAEL HOHL SUBARU (2910 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, NV 89701, (775-885-0400) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE OCCUPANT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION CODE 'B16 50" APPEARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY IMMEDIATE ACTION, EXCEPT TO CONTACT THE DEALER IF THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
WE WERE BROADSIDED (T-BONED) IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WE WERE EASTBOUND GOING 25MPH & HAD JUST LEFT HOME. TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT AND BAM SHE HIT MY DRIVER SIDE. RECESSING MY FRONT TIRE 3 OR MORE INCHES IN TOWARDS MY ENGINE. SHE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE INTERSECTING …
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WE WERE BROADSIDED (T-BONED) IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WE WERE EASTBOUND GOING 25MPH & HAD JUST LEFT HOME. TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT AND BAM SHE HIT MY DRIVER SIDE. RECESSING MY FRONT TIRE 3 OR MORE INCHES IN TOWARDS MY ENGINE. SHE WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE INTERSECTING ROAD. SHE MUST HAVE BEEN TRAVELING 25 MPH OR MORE BECAUSE DAMAGE CONTINUED ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE (BOTH DOORS) FINISHING ON MY REAR TIRE WHERE IT BENT IT INWARDS AS IF IT WAS A STEERING TIRE MAKING A TURN. THE REAR TIRE HAS A LARGE GASH IN THE SIDE WALL. THE FOLLOWING WHERE MY WIFE'S INJURIES AS SHE WAS DRIVING: ACUTE CERVICAL MYOFASCIAL STRAIN, CERVICAL STRAIN, CLOSED HEAD INJURY, DYSARTHRIA, ELBOW CONTUSION, HEADACHE, MUSCLE TENSION HEADACHE, POST CONCUSSION SYNDROME, AND SHOULDER CONTUSION. SHE RECEIVED ALL THESE INJURIES BECAUSE THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH HAS TO BE A MAJOR MANUFACTURING FLAW OF SOME TYPE. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS TOTALED MY WIFE'S CAR. IT IS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA PREMIUM. I HAVE INCLUDED SOME DOCUMENTS/PHOTOS.
AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY WHEN I SET MY CELLPHONE ON THE EMPTY PASSENGER SEAT. IT ALSO ACTIVATED WHEN MY DAUGHTERS WERE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER ON APRIL 4, 2017.
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.