← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2025
EngineExterior LightingService BrakesFire

Vehicle Fire Summary – Arvada, CO On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], the Arvada Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire on [XXX] . The vehicle involved was a 2013 gray Subaru Impreza WRX. The driver reported noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment before pulling over to the shoulder. Within minutes, fla…

Read full complaint

Vehicle Fire Summary – Arvada, CO On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], the Arvada Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire on [XXX] . The vehicle involved was a 2013 gray Subaru Impreza WRX. The driver reported noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment before pulling over to the shoulder. Within minutes, flames became visible. Fire crews arrived promptly and extinguished the fire. Both the driver and one passenger were able to evacuate the vehicle safely, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle sustained a total loss due to fire damage. Preliminary findings suggest a possible mechanical or electrical malfunction, though the exact cause remains under investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11684703

135,000 miles · Apr 4, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

VEHICLE HAS KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE OIL CONTROL VALVES ON FRONT OF ENGINE FAIL AND LEAK OIL ONTO MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE DEFECT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS, LIGHTING FAILURE, ENGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE STARTED, ENGINE FUNCTION FAILING WHILE IN USE, BATTERY FAILURE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT CREATED AMONG OTHER ISSUES IMPACT…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE HAS KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE OIL CONTROL VALVES ON FRONT OF ENGINE FAIL AND LEAK OIL ONTO MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE DEFECT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS, LIGHTING FAILURE, ENGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE STARTED, ENGINE FUNCTION FAILING WHILE IN USE, BATTERY FAILURE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT CREATED AMONG OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING STARTING, RUNNING, SAFE USEAGE AND POTENTIAL DANGEROUS FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. PREVIOUS COMPLAINT LOGGED, NO EVIDENCE THAT PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED - ALTHOUGH MANUFACTURER HAS ACKNOWLEGED KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUE BY ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN.

NHTSA ODI #11406313

78,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

TAIL LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON , FIRST TIME THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS BURNED OUT , DEALER CHANGED THE WHOLE THING , THIS IS SECOND TIME TAIL LIGHTING IS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON , I AM AFRAID IT WILL BURN OUT THE WHOLE HARNESS AGAIN !

NHTSA ODI #11338578

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. TIMMONS SUBARU (3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. TIMMONS SUBARU (3950 CHERRY AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90807, (888) 496-9707) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11221320

70,215 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EngineExterior LightingStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED IN OCTOBER OF 2018. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 489-1301) WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD MAJOR DAMAGE THAT WAS COVERED UP TO RESELL THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER RESEARCHED THE VEHICLE IN THEIR SYSTEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGE TITLE. THE DEALER FURTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE CONTACT MAY HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (AUTO SALES CT, 1320 WOLCOTT RD, WOLCOTT, CT 06716, (203) 441-4911) DID NOT DISCLOSE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,215.

NHTSA ODI #11219450

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STAR SUBARU (206-26 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 1136…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STAR SUBARU (206-26 NORTHERN BLVD, BAYSIDE, NY 11361, (833) 271-0487) 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 #11192378

61,402 miles · Mar 8, 2019
EngineExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A RUMBLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS NEEDE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A RUMBLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 18V772000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED HEUBERGER SUBARU AT (719) 475-1920 (LOCATED AT 1080 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,402. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V772000.

NHTSA ODI #11185441

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.