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 reports

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32,500 miles · May 11, 2015

Air Bags

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH, THE ALERTS INDICATING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OFF LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND CENTRAL CONSOLE IN OUR 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND WE HAD BEEN DRIVING CONTINUOUSLY FOR OVER AN HOUR ALREADY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WHEN WE LEFT TO RETURN HOME LATER THAT DAY, THE ALERTS WERE OFF WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON. HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF OF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY HUSBAND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE ALERTS INDICATING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OFF LIT UP AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10715637

55,672 miles · May 9, 2015

Air Bags

PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE AIR BAG WILL RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. OCCURS WITH BOTH LIGHT AND HEAVY PASSENGERS. SUBARU SERVICE RETRIEVED A CODE B1650 FROM COMPUTER. SUBARU ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE IS $300.00 FOR CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10715447

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2015

Air BagsSeats

THE SENSOR THAT DETERMINES WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER THE AIR BAGS SOMETIMES WON'T TURN ON. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713178

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2015

Air Bags

WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE AIRBAG DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE OFF SIGNAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712288

70,000 miles · Apr 14, 2015

Air BagsService BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS F…

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NHTSA ODI #10705583

20,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015

Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

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DRIVING DOWN MOUNTAIN AFTER DAY OF SKIING. ROADS WERE TREACHEROUS AND ICY. 20 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS TURNED ON, INDICATING THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF A COLLISION. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER I WAS WEARING A DAMP BATHING SUIT WHILE DRIVING AND THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, I WAS DRIVING ON A HOT DAY WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. I WAS SWEATING QUITE A BIT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY SUBARU IMPREZA TURNED ON YET AGAIN. THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SIMPLY RESET THE SENSOR, NOT SOLVING THE ISSUE OR COMPREHENDING THE SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE. THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR IN THE SEAT MUST HAVE FAULTED AND TURNED OFF THE AIRBAGS WHEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW/WATER/SWEAT ON MY REAR CAUSED A FAULT IN THE ELECROSTATIC SENSOR. THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR IS AN ELECTROSTATIC SENSOR THAT WILL FAULT WHEN IT SENSES AN ARBITRARY AMOUNT OF MOISTURE. AN INTERNAL MEMO IN AUGUST 2012 FROM SUBARU TO IT'S DEALERS IN NORTH AMERICA ACKNOWLEDGED, BUT NOT SOLVED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE SEAT IS WET. FROM SUBARU'S INTERNAL MEMO: "WHEN WATER OR ANYTHING WITH HIGH MOISTURE CONTENT IS SPILLED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION, THE AIRBAG IS DESIGNED TO REMAIN OFF UNTIL THE SEAT CUSHION IS DRY". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672345

6,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014

Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG RANDOMLY TURNS OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR. TOOK TO A DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T REPEAT. WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A WEIGHT ISSUE. IF THE AIRBAG DOESN'T GO OFF WITH A PASSENGER THERE IT COULD BE FATAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668512

25,000 miles · Dec 25, 2014

Air Bags

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH LIT AND AIRBAG LIGHT STATED PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF DESPITE SEAT BEING OCCUPIED..SUBARU STATES CANT FIND ISSUE BUT I HAVE A PIC OF THE WARNING LIGHT ON(LOOKS LIKE PREGNANT WOMEN!!). WORRIED CAR /AIRBAG UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668243

30,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014

Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE JUMPER CABLES UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATED RESULTED IN THE SENSOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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NHTSA ODI #10662987

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2014

Air Bags

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I HAVE A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA PREZ, AND AM CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAG MAY FAIL ON IMPACT. WHEN WILL THE RECALL MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS SO THEY MAY BE ABLE TO SERVICE MY, FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CARS TO MAKE THEM SAFE WITH FEAR-FREE DRIVING! THE COUNTRY WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR DEPARTMENTS RESPONSE TO OUR VALID CONCERN FOR SAFETY, AS I'M SURE ALL OF THE HUMANS WORKING IN THIS DEPARTMENT ARE CONCERNED FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND EFFORT TO REMEDY THIS MOST IMPORTANT CONCERN THE UNITED STATES POPULATION HAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650060

Official recalls

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.

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

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

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

PE15012 · 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.