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2013 Subaru Impreza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Impreza years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Impreza are substantially higher than the model-year median of 56.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

154 reports with mileage · 95 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 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports7 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

74 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2018. JOHNSTONS SUBARU (243 DOLON AVE, MIDDLETOWN, NY 10940) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2018. JOHNSTONS SUBARU (243 DOLON AVE, MIDDLETOWN, NY 10940) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11180347

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2019
Engine

CANNOT GET DEALER (CARTER SUBARU IN BALLARD) TO SCHEDULE REPAIRS FOR RECALL WTY-84 (NHTSA ID 18V-772). A MONTH AGO THEY SAID THEY'D GET BACK TO ME IN A FEW DAYS. NOW THEY DON'T RESPOND TO VOICEMAIL OR EMAIL MESSAGES.

NHTSA ODI #11176244

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MORRIE'S MINNETONKA SUBARU (12520 WAYZATA BLVD, MINNETONKA, MN 55305, (612) 395-4199) …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MORRIE'S MINNETONKA SUBARU (12520 WAYZATA BLVD, MINNETONKA, MN 55305, (612) 395-4199) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY UNTIL AUGUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE INFORMATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FORM IS INCORRECT. DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL. DEALER DID NOT SCHEDULE THE REPAIR UNTIL AUGUST. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

NHTSA ODI #11173357

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2019
Engine

SUBARU - THE VALVE SPRINGS LOCATED INSIDE OF ENGINE. CALLED TWO WEEKS AGO FOR THE PARTS AND CALLED AGAIN IF THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP KNOWS WHEN THE PART WILL BE COMING IN. THEY HAD NO IDEA. CALLED SUBARU RECALL CENTER. THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE PARTS ARE HANDLED AND HOW MANY ARE READY TO SHIPPED OUT FOR THE REPAIR SHOPS.

NHTSA ODI #11172585

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HYMAN BROTHERS SUBARU (11960 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113, (804) 893-890…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HYMAN BROTHERS SUBARU (11960 MIDLOTHIAN TURNPIKE, MIDLOTHIAN, VA 23113, (804) 893-8900) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11172538

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE). METRIC SUBARU (1767 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743) AND COMPETITION OF SMITHTOWN (601 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY 11780) STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE). METRIC SUBARU (1767 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743) AND COMPETITION OF SMITHTOWN (601 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY 11780) STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11172502

83,805 miles · Jan 22, 2019
Engine

RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA ID 18V-722) INVOLVING RISK OF VALVE SPRING FAILURE THAT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING AND RISK OF CRASH. CALLED OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN, CO TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED. WAS TOLD THAT THE EARLIEST THAT THEY COULD GET TO IT WOULD BE MAY OF 2020 (15 MONTHS). "TOO MANY CA…

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RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA ID 18V-722) INVOLVING RISK OF VALVE SPRING FAILURE THAT COULD LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING AND RISK OF CRASH. CALLED OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN, CO TO HAVE THE ISSUE RESOLVED. WAS TOLD THAT THE EARLIEST THAT THEY COULD GET TO IT WOULD BE MAY OF 2020 (15 MONTHS). "TOO MANY CARS ARE BEING RECALLED AT THE SAME TIME. 150 AHEAD OF US IN THE QUEUE FOR THIS REPAIR." THIS TRANSLATES TO ONLY 10 RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED PER MONTH. SAID THAT THEY HOPE TO MOVE US EARLIER, BUT NO PROMISES WERE MADE. NO COMMENT ABOUT THEIR LIABILITY SHOULD THE FAILURE OCCUR DURING THIS OVER-ONE-YEAR TIMEFRAME WHILE WAITING FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL TO BE PERFORMED.

NHTSA ODI #11171363

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2019
Engine

I RECEIVED AN 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' NOTICE REGARDING MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. PER THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOTICE, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. DESPITE THE STRESSED IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THIS RECALL IN THE LETTER RECEIVED VIA MAIL, THE PERSON AT THE DEALE…

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I RECEIVED AN 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' NOTICE REGARDING MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. PER THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE NOTICE, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. DESPITE THE STRESSED IMPORTANCE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING THIS RECALL IN THE LETTER RECEIVED VIA MAIL, THE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP SEEMED TO HAVE NO REAL CONCERN OR CARE FOR MY VEHICLE'S OR PERSONAL SAFETY, AND TOLD ME I COULD GO ON A WAITLIST FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AS THEY WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN. I TRIED DISCUSSING MY DISSATISFACTION, WORRY, AND UPSET WITH THE PERSON AT SUBARU, BUT ALL SHE SAID WAS THAT I HAD TO WAIT. SO I ADDED MY NAME TO THE WAITLIST, AND CONTACTED SUBARU DIRECTLY, PER THE LETTER'S INSTRUCTIONS. SAME ANSWER FROM SUBARU, CLAIMING THAT THEY CANNOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE NOT ONE SINGLE DEALERSHIP HAS THE PARTS TO DO SO. I REITERATED THAT THIS MEAN I HAD TO HOPE MY CAR WOULDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE RESULTING IN MY PERSONAL SAFETY OR INJURY, AND THEY AGREED THAT YES, THAT'S ALL I CAN DO. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! IF THERE IS SOMETHING DANGEROUS ENOUGH ABOUT MY VEHICLE THAT THERE IS A NATIONWIDE RECALL, WHY IS IT THAT THERE IS NO RUSH TO GET THESE PARTS IN TO SERVICE THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED YOUR 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' WHICH STATES THAT 'YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR SUBARU RETAILER FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT REPAIR PREFORMED' AS IT IS IN REGARDS TO A 'DEFECT' IN THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE THAT TRANSPORTS ME AND MY FAMILY DAILY. ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY. GOOD ON SUBARU FOR NOTIFYING ME, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT OKAY TO HAVE US WAIT MONTHS FOR A REPAIR ON AN ENGINE DEFECT AND INSTRUCT US TO JUST 'HOPE NOTHING HAPPENS' IN THE MEANTIME.

NHTSA ODI #11166656

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NAPLETON'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS SUBARU (1555 EAST RAND RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004, 847-255-5700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NAPLETON'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS SUBARU (1555 EAST RAND RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004, 847-255-5700) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11166565

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NAPLETON'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS SUBARU (1555 E RAND RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. A LO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NAPLETON'S ARLINGTON HEIGHTS SUBARU (1555 E RAND RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004) STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS NOT OFFERED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11166543

Official recalls

4

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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.