Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
2225–50K
3850–75K
3375–100K
20100–150K
4150K+
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
What owners actually said
249 reports
1,000 miles · Dec 26, 2019
Engine
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BURNING OIL SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON AFTER EVERY 1000.00 MILES AND IT IS DOWN AT LEAST A QUART AND A HALF EACH TIME . I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES BUT I STILL HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IN BETWEEN. I ORDERED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP RT FROM THE FACTORY. THE OIL CONSUMPTION HA…
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I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BURNING OIL SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. MY OIL LIGHT COMES ON AFTER EVERY 1000.00 MILES AND IT IS DOWN AT LEAST A QUART AND A HALF EACH TIME . I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES BUT I STILL HAVE TO PUT OIL IN IN BETWEEN. I ORDERED THIS CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP RT FROM THE FACTORY. THE OIL CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS OVER 5-7 TIMES. THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM .
NHTSA ODI #11291332
100,000 miles · Dec 15, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR THROWS A P2138 CODE AND CAR GOES IN LIMP MODE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NON-RESPONSIVE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESET ECU TO GET BACK ON ROAD. HAVE REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE BODY, RELAY, AND ECM AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP. HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY STOCK AND COBB ACCESSPORT TUNED TO STAGE 1. HAPP…
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CAR THROWS A P2138 CODE AND CAR GOES IN LIMP MODE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NON-RESPONSIVE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESET ECU TO GET BACK ON ROAD. HAVE REPLACED ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THROTTLE BODY, RELAY, AND ECM AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP. HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES. CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY STOCK AND COBB ACCESSPORT TUNED TO STAGE 1. HAPPENS TUNED AND STOCK. HAPPENS SOMETIMES IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTUP AND OTHER TIMES WHILE MAINTAINING 70MPH LM THE HIGHWAY. HAPPENED WHEN I WAS OUT OF GEAR COASTING TO A STOP SIGN. RANDOM OCCURRENCE. SUBARU HAS NO SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11289191
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats
RECALL IN OTHER IMPREZA IN SAME YEAR MODEL, BUT NOT MINE SPECIFICALLY. SAME ISSUE OCCURS WITH AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH ANY AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG HOWEVER DOES NOT TURN ON. STAYS OFF WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. THIS WAS RECALLED IN MANY OTHER 2012-2014 IMPREZA. SUBARU C…
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RECALL IN OTHER IMPREZA IN SAME YEAR MODEL, BUT NOT MINE SPECIFICALLY. SAME ISSUE OCCURS WITH AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH ANY AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG HOWEVER DOES NOT TURN ON. STAYS OFF WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. THIS WAS RECALLED IN MANY OTHER 2012-2014 IMPREZA. SUBARU CONFIRMED THAT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY IN MY IMPREZA IS SAME PART AS OCCUPANY SENSOR RECALLED IN OTHER IMPREZA. I WAS SOLD THIS CAR BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WITH THIS ISSUE (NOT THE COMPANY LISTED ON THE RECEIPTS PROVIDED). HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED FOR INSPECTION. HAVE TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM, ALMOST $700 FOR SEAT ALONE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR. SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY GIVING ME $500 GOODWILL REPAIR CERTIFICATE, BUT NOT FULL PRICE OF REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11280743
8,500 miles · Nov 10, 2019
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING GOES OFF IF MORE THAN 1 POUND IS PLACED ON THE SEAT, ALL CONDITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11279284
90,000 miles · Nov 8, 2019
Air Bags
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISABLED BECAUSE THE UNDER SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY IN 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $154.95 JUST TO READ THE CODE TO EXPLAIN THE FAULT. CODES B1760 AND B1761 INDICATE THE "SENSOR MAT IS ABNORMAL." TECH RECOMMENDS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS COSTS $1181.85 TO REPLA…
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PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DISABLED BECAUSE THE UNDER SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY IN 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $154.95 JUST TO READ THE CODE TO EXPLAIN THE FAULT. CODES B1760 AND B1761 INDICATE THE "SENSOR MAT IS ABNORMAL." TECH RECOMMENDS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS COSTS $1181.85 TO REPLACE. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL BECAUSE MANY OF US ARE PUTTING OUR PASSENGERS AT UNREASONABLE RISK DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR INSTALLED BY SUBARU. THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS EXTORTIONATE. I LOVE MY CAR AND I HOPE THAT SUBARU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND HELP RESTORE MY TRUST IN THEIR SAFETY RECORD.
NHTSA ODI #11278887
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2019
EnginePower Train
THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED AND REOCCURRING ISSUES RELATED TO OIL CONSUMPTION AS WELL AS A FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION. SUBARU HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO ME. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXT…
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THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED AND REOCCURRING ISSUES RELATED TO OIL CONSUMPTION AS WELL AS A FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION. SUBARU HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO ME. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A SUBARU SERVICE CENTER TO TRY AND GET IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD 94,000 MILES AT THE TIME I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ON 6/22/18. SINCE 6/22/18-11/2/19, I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD REOCCURRING ISSUES WITH BOTH OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED ISSUES, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD RESOLVE OF ANY OF THEM. INSTEAD I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TOLD EACH ITEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. IF SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED, LIKE THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATING AFTER THE SHORT BLOCK REPLACEMENT, I BEEN GIVEN THE EXPLANATION THAT IT IS DUE TO SOFTWARE ISSUES THAT NEED UPDATING. THESE EXCUSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY OF THE PARTS IN QUESTION HAS THEN PASSED. THIS SAME THING HAS OCCURRED WITH THE SLIPPING CVT TRANSMISSION THAT I REPORTED ON 6/22/18, AND NOW I AM BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $8,000 OUT OF POCKET. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN VALUED AT $8,000 ANYMORE. I WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE RESEARCH INTO THESE FAULTY PARTS AND THE CONSUMER DECEIT THAT HAS OCCURRED TO MYSELF AND MILLIONS OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS. DECEIVING CONSUMERS UNTIL EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIODS PASS, AND REQUIRING CONSUMERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET SHOULD BE ILLEGAL. I SEE NOW WHY SUBARU OPTED FOR THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR BOTH OF THESE ISSUES RATHER THAN ADMITTING FAULT AND PROVIDING A RECALL. THIS ALLOWS THE DECEIT AND SUBARU TAKING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRS TO OCCUR BY LOOPING IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INTO THIS SCAM. DO NOT BUYSUBARU
NHTSA ODI #11277695
94,000 miles · Oct 27, 2019
Engine
2 BELTS CAME APART AT 65K MILES & WERE REPLACED ON 4/14/2018. THEN AGAIN NOT EVEN MONTH AFTER ON 5/19/2018 2 BELTS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT 66K MILES, AND 3RD TIME ON 8/18/2019 AT 94K SAME 2 BELTS CAME APART AND THIS TIME RUINED RADIATOR, ENGINE AND MANY OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE (VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN APART TO DETERMIN…
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2 BELTS CAME APART AT 65K MILES & WERE REPLACED ON 4/14/2018. THEN AGAIN NOT EVEN MONTH AFTER ON 5/19/2018 2 BELTS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT 66K MILES, AND 3RD TIME ON 8/18/2019 AT 94K SAME 2 BELTS CAME APART AND THIS TIME RUINED RADIATOR, ENGINE AND MANY OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE (VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN APART TO DETERMINE THE DAMAGES) WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM SUBARU'S ASKING TO FIX THE VEHICLE ST UBARUS EXPENSE.
NHTSA ODI #11271297
66,800 miles · Oct 20, 2019
EngineFire
FACTORY RECALL FOR A VALVE SPRING AND BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON SEPT.25, 2019. THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS PRESENT TO DOCUMENT AN…
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FACTORY RECALL FOR A VALVE SPRING AND BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON SEPT.25, 2019. THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS PRESENT TO DOCUMENT AND TAKE PHOTOS. MY CAR WAS TOWED. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO CARS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11269739
107,000 miles · Oct 18, 2019
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM HAS FAILED. WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG IS NOT ACTIVATED AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #11269316
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2019
Steering
2013 IMPREZA WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES HAS STEERING PROBLEMS. AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL TURNS LEFT ON ITS OWN. AT OTHER SPEEDS YOU HAVE TO HOLD WHEEL SO IT DOESN'T PULL LEFT. MUCH HARDER TO TURN RIGHT AT ANY SPEED. TOLD BY DEALER HAS LEAKING STEERING RACK.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2013 Subaru Impreza Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year