NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
243 reports8,000 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Engine
OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRASTIC DAMAGE AND INJURY ALONG WITH GREATER WEAR. I HAVE BEEN MITIGATING IT WITH KEEPING OIL IN THE TRUNK BUT NO GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HA…
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OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRASTIC DAMAGE AND INJURY ALONG WITH GREATER WEAR. I HAVE BEEN MITIGATING IT WITH KEEPING OIL IN THE TRUNK BUT NO GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE IT. THE OIL ALSO RUINED MY TRUNK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668509
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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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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #10662987
46,500 miles · Nov 22, 2014
Steering
CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A GROCERY STORE AND WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION ACCOMPANIED BY AN EPAS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT EXTINGUISHED AFTER TWO RESTARTS, BUT RE-LIT UPON SLIGHT MOVEMENT OF …
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CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A GROCERY STORE AND WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION ACCOMPANIED BY AN EPAS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT EXTINGUISHED AFTER TWO RESTARTS, BUT RE-LIT UPON SLIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MOMENTARY VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. WE DROVE THE CAR .7 MILE TO THE SUBARU DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. A SERVICE ADVISER STARTED THE CAR MINUTES LATER AND THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WITH NO MALFUNCTION LIGHT DISPLAYED. THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO LOOK FOR A STORED CODE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEG F. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER ASSIST AT LOWER SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660224
26,586 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Engine
2012 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS BEEN NEEDING AN AVERAGE OF 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE MAY OF 2013. OIL CONSUMPTION TEXT STARTED AT NORTH COUNTRY SUBARU IN QUEENSBURY, NY ON AUGUST 5, 2014 WHEN THE CAR HAD 26586 MILES ON IT. NEW OIL FLOAT SWITCH WAS PUT INTO THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 AT 28654 MILES. CAR CONT…
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2012 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS BEEN NEEDING AN AVERAGE OF 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES DRIVEN SINCE MAY OF 2013. OIL CONSUMPTION TEXT STARTED AT NORTH COUNTRY SUBARU IN QUEENSBURY, NY ON AUGUST 5, 2014 WHEN THE CAR HAD 26586 MILES ON IT. NEW OIL FLOAT SWITCH WAS PUT INTO THE CAR ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 AT 28654 MILES. CAR CONTINUES TO NEED 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655287
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2014
Air Bags
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 T…
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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
58,000 miles · Oct 22, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10649225
40,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Air BagsSeats
AT ANY SPEED, WHILE CARRYING A PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON LIGHT WILL TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED WHILE PASSENGER IS IN VEHICLE AT ANY GIVEN SPEED RANDOMLY. COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE SEVERE INJURY/DEATH IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE OWNED MULTIPLE 2012+ IMPREZAS WITH THIS EXACT ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641835
3,000 miles · Oct 1, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BIG LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BIG LIGHT SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT, UPDATED 04/30/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10640574
22,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA ODI #10626384
Official recalls
6Feb 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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