IllustrationWHEN DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER THE AIR BAG FOR THE PASSENGER WILL NOT TURN ON AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL COME ON.
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
What owners actually said
243 reportsDRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND AFTER OPENING THE ENGINE THE FINAL DIAGNOSE WAS THAT THE VALVE SPRING FAILED
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THE SEAT GETS WET WHEN SOMETHING IS SPILLED, OR WHEN THE PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT WITH DAMP/WET CLOTHES BECAUSE THEY GOT WET BECAUSE IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WORKS PROPERLY WHEN THE SEAT DRIES OUT IN A FEW DAYS. THIS HAS HAPPENE…
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PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THE SEAT GETS WET WHEN SOMETHING IS SPILLED, OR WHEN THE PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT WITH DAMP/WET CLOTHES BECAUSE THEY GOT WET BECAUSE IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WORKS PROPERLY WHEN THE SEAT DRIES OUT IN A FEW DAYS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES , MOST RECENTLY BEING A FEW WEEKS AGO. THE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STOPPED.
2012 IMPREZA SPORT WITH 71,000 MILES, ONE OWNER, ALL MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. MECHANIC NOTICED INCREASED NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DOING TEST DRIVE AFTER PERFORMING MAINTENANCE. REPORTED REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AFTER INSPECTION REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF BEARINGS.
BENT FRAME: 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT, AWD W/PZEV, ORDERED 03/2012 NEW FROM JOSEPH SUBARU, FLORENCE, KY, W/42228 TO DATE 09/27/19. ORIGINAL COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED TO DEALER AND MANUFACTURE INCLUDE: *WHEN ORDERING THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A HIGHER ROAD CLEARANCE FOR RURAL DRIVING FROM PICTURES ON INTERNET, *DRIVING CAR IT WANDERS OVER T…
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BENT FRAME: 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT, AWD W/PZEV, ORDERED 03/2012 NEW FROM JOSEPH SUBARU, FLORENCE, KY, W/42228 TO DATE 09/27/19. ORIGINAL COMPLAINTS DESCRIBED TO DEALER AND MANUFACTURE INCLUDE: *WHEN ORDERING THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A HIGHER ROAD CLEARANCE FOR RURAL DRIVING FROM PICTURES ON INTERNET, *DRIVING CAR IT WANDERS OVER THE ROAD, *TIRES DEFLATE (WORE OUT BEFORE 20,000 MI., SAVED TO REPLACE @ SEARS, MI 23850 IN 04/2016), SOME *PAINT CHIPPED OFF, W/*SLUGGISH 'TRANSMISSION' & 'BRAKING SYSTEM,' & BELT OR SCREECH NOISE UPON START-UP (NO ASSISTANCE FROM MANUFACTURER & DEALERS WHO DENIED PROBLEMS). WITH UNRESPONSIVE JOSEPH SUBARU DEALER/SERVICE BEING 75 MILES DRIVE 1-WAY, SO BY 6/12/12 TOOK CAR TO DEALER NEIL HUFFMAN SERVICE (NHS), LOUISVILLE, KY, ~22.4 MI 1-WAY, FOR SERVICE & HOPED FOR HELP W/ORIGINAL COMPLAINTS: NEW COMPLAINTS; *MASTERS CYLINDER & *COOLANT ARE TOPPED-OFF W/MOST OIL CHANGES AS FLUIDS SEEM TO EVAPORATE, *WINDSHIELD FOGS-UP UNLESS A WINDOW IS OPEN, ENGINE OVERHEATED & LOST OIL AFTER 3RD OIL CHANGE (SEEMINGLY DUE TO VALVOLINE OW20 SYNTHETIC OIL OF 08/07/2013, SO REPLACED W/SYNTHETIC OIL STABILIZER), WINDSHIELD WIPER FELL OFF & PIECE OF BODY-PART BUMPER COVER WAS FALLING OFF; PLUS HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY & ALTERNATOR @ 22767 MI. HAD TO TAKE CAR TO A LOCAL/REPUTABLE REPAIR SERVICE (MORTON'S) TO GET REIMBURSED FROM SEARS TIRE/AUTO CENTER FOR NHS, REPORTING, ON 01/2019, THE SEARS TIRES HAD BEEN MOUNTED IMPROPERLY, ALSO SHOWED REAR-BRAKES NEED REPLACED, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF MAINTENANCE NEEDED DONE & THE CAR HAS 2 RECALLS. HOWEVER, AFTER MORTON'S FIXED THE IMPROPERLY MOUNTED TIRES, ASKED IF I HAD TROUBLE W/THE ALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE (Y) OR IF IT HAD BEEN IN A ACCIDENT (N), THEN INFORMED THE CAR HAS A *'BENT FRAME.' MY VERTIGO GOT WORSE, SO I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK TO KY FOR THE RECALLS, & CONFUSED & BUMMED-OUT ABOUT THE BENT-FRAME. WHAT CAN I DO?
CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON HIGHWAY
PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHILE THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT JOHN HOWARD SUBARU IN MORGANTOWN, WV. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES TO ME AS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO PICTURES OF THE LIGHTS WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WASN'T WETTH…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHILE THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AT JOHN HOWARD SUBARU IN MORGANTOWN, WV. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES TO ME AS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I HAVE ATTACHED TWO PICTURES OF THE LIGHTS WHILE I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WASN'T WETTHE INVOICE FROM THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED IS ATTACHED AS WELL. THE LAST OCCURRENCE OF THIS WAS JULY 14, 2019. THANKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. REDDING SUBARU (481 E CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. REDDING SUBARU (481 E CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. SEAT IS NOT WET. MY 2012 IMPREZA WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS THIS SENSOR FAILS QUITE OFTEN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE …
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PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. SEAT IS NOT WET. MY 2012 IMPREZA WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE AS THIS SENSOR FAILS QUITE OFTEN AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, A FEW OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT, ENGINE OIL, ABS, AT, MIL, VEHICLE DYNAMICS. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL REVEALED A P0700 AND P2764 CODES. UNFORTUNATELY THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE ISSUE BECAUSE IS OVER 100000 MILES. THE ISSUE AS PER MY RESEARCH IS WELL KNOWN TO SUBARU. NOW THE REPAI…
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WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, A FEW OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS LIT, ENGINE OIL, ABS, AT, MIL, VEHICLE DYNAMICS. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME, THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL REVEALED A P0700 AND P2764 CODES. UNFORTUNATELY THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE ISSUE BECAUSE IS OVER 100000 MILES. THE ISSUE AS PER MY RESEARCH IS WELL KNOWN TO SUBARU. NOW THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST ME $2500.00
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.