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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.

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

What owners actually said

249 reports
64,000 miles · Aug 29, 2017
Air Bags

I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION,…

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I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHETHER ON A HIGHWAY OR ON A SIDE STREET, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL COME ON- MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FLUKE SO I TOOK THE WAIT AND SEE APPROACH. THIS PAST SPRING, THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING MORE, SO I'VE SINCE STARTED DOCUMENTING THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DAMP, WHETHER IT IS BECAUSE I'M DRIVING IN A HOT AND HUMID LOCATION, OR PASSENGER HAS DAMP CLOTHES DUE TO COMING BACK FROM THE BEACH OR RIVER, EXERCISING, OR JUST BEING PLAIN WARM & SWEATY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2012 IMPREZAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MY CAR, WHICH I BELIEVE HAS THE SAME SENSORS AS THE RECALLED ONES FOR THE 2012 IMPREZA, IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11020345

66,909 miles · Aug 29, 2017
Air Bags

I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHE…

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I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHETHER ON A HIGHWAY OR ON A SIDE STREET, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL COME ON- MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FLUKE SO I TOOK THE WAIT AND SEE APPROACH. THIS PAST SPRING, THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING MORE, SO I'VE SINCE STARTED DOCUMENTING THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DAMP, WHETHER IT IS BECAUSE I'M DRIVING IN A HOT AND HUMID LOCATION, OR PASSENGER HAS DAMP CLOTHES DUE TO COMING BACK FROM THE BEACH OR RIVER, EXERCISING, OR JUST BEING PLAIN WARM & SWEATY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2012 IMPREZAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MY CAR, WHICH I BELIEVE HAS THE SAME SENSORS AS THE RECALLED ONES FOR THE 2012 IMPREZA, IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11020344

66,895 miles · Aug 29, 2017
Air Bags

I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, W…

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I PURCHASED MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WITH ~54,000 MILES ON IT IN AUGUST 2016. OVER THE LAST YEAR, I'VE NOTICED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES, WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, WHETHER ON A HIGHWAY OR ON A SIDE STREET, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL COME ON- MEANING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FLUKE SO I TOOK THE WAIT AND SEE APPROACH. THIS PAST SPRING, THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING MORE, SO I'VE SINCE STARTED DOCUMENTING THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. I NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS DAMP, WHETHER IT IS BECAUSE I'M DRIVING IN A HOT AND HUMID LOCATION, OR PASSENGER HAS DAMP CLOTHES DUE TO COMING BACK FROM THE BEACH OR RIVER, EXERCISING, OR JUST BEING PLAIN WARM & SWEATY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2012 IMPREZAS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MY CAR, WHICH I BELIEVE HAS THE SAME SENSORS AS THE RECALLED ONES FOR THE 2012 IMPREZA, IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR OF SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN, WIDESPREAD ISSUE AMONG SUBARU IMPREZAS. I THINK THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS PROBLEM IS ALARMING, GIVEN THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11020340

32,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR SWITCHED FROM ON TO OFF. I HAD ALREADY DRIVEN PROBABLY 35 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH) AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. I WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME, CHANGING LANES AS I PREPARED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE W…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A PASSENGER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR SWITCHED FROM ON TO OFF. I HAD ALREADY DRIVEN PROBABLY 35 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH) AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. I WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME, CHANGING LANES AS I PREPARED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE LIGHTS BEHAVED AS EXPECTED BUT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11020078

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2017
Air Bags

I RECEIVED A LEGAL NOTICE FROM AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT ABOUT TAKATA RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR AND I SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS BY A LOCAL RETAILER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11019957

93,000 miles · Aug 15, 2017
Air Bags

THE SRS SENSOR WAS LIGHTING UP AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN TO SWITCH TO OFF EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE SWITCH HAS GONE BACK AND NEEDS REPLACED. LUCKILY THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I AM ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE $100 WARRANTY DEDUCTIB…

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THE SRS SENSOR WAS LIGHTING UP AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN TO SWITCH TO OFF EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THE SWITCH HAS GONE BACK AND NEEDS REPLACED. LUCKILY THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO I AM ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE $100 WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS THE SAME SRS SWITCH USED IN THE 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11015598

70,207 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Engine

OIL DRIPS FROM GASKET ON TOO HOT PART OF ENGINE CAUSING A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO OUR VEHICLE YET BUT WE WERE INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF NOT REPAIRED HAVE ANY INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE ON SUBARUS BEEN RECORDED TO THIS DAY?

NHTSA ODI #11011974

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2017
Engine

VECHILE BURNING OIL AT A RATE OF A QUART EVERY 1500 MILES,SUBARU STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL, MECHANICS TOLD ME THIS IS NOT NORMAL..I HAVE HAD OLD CLUNKERS WITH HIGH MILLAGE THAT DID NOT BURN THIS MUCH OIL.

NHTSA ODI #11010706

30,000 miles · Jul 20, 2017
Power TrainStructure

HELLO, IT HAS COME TIME WHERE MY LOYAL SUBARU HAS HAD IT'S FIREWALL SPOT WELDS SNAP OFF AND MY FIREWALL MOVES ABOUT 3 INCHES EVERYTIME I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH OR BRAKES. I REACHED OUT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WHERE THEY HAD ME GET AN ESTIMATE OF 1750 DOLLARS. WHEN I SENT THEM THE INVOICE THE BEST THEY WOULD COVER IS 750 DOLLARS OF IT.…

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HELLO, IT HAS COME TIME WHERE MY LOYAL SUBARU HAS HAD IT'S FIREWALL SPOT WELDS SNAP OFF AND MY FIREWALL MOVES ABOUT 3 INCHES EVERYTIME I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH OR BRAKES. I REACHED OUT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WHERE THEY HAD ME GET AN ESTIMATE OF 1750 DOLLARS. WHEN I SENT THEM THE INVOICE THE BEST THEY WOULD COVER IS 750 DOLLARS OF IT. THIS ISSUE IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN ON BEHALF OF MY LIFE AND THE COMPANY ACTED IN BAD FAITH TOWARDS IT'S CUSTOMER. THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN BEAT ON OR ABUSED AND FROM JUST SIMPLY DRIVING THE CAR ON A NORMAL BASIS CREATED THIS ISSUE. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED I WASN'T AWARE OF THE WHAT WAS AT STAKE. I RESEARCHED THE NUMEROUS PEOPLE FILING CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS SINCE MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE PRODUCTION THIRD GEN WRXS WERE PROBED TO THIS FAULTY FIREWALL WELDS. SUBARU HAS BEEN WELL AWARE OF THIS AND KNEW THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN OR WHEN I EMAILED THEY WOULD HAVE ARGUED AGAINST IT BUT JUST INSTANTLY OFFERED A PORTION OF IT. IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MY SAFETY I FEEL IT'S NECESSARY FOR SUBARU TO PAY THE ENTIRE PORTION OF THE BILL TO ENSURE MY LIFE WILL BE SAFE IN THEIR CAR. IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU COULD DO TO HELP ME THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, JEREMY.

NHTSA ODI #11006592

61,660 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Air Bags

WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT, WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED, THE AIRBAG SIGN ILLUMINATES OFF. OCCASIONALLY THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AT TIMES THE SENSOR WILL SENSE THE SMALLEST THINGS, SUCH AS A SMALL BOX OF TISSUES, AND THE AIRBAG WILL TURN ON WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST…

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WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT, WHEN DRIVING OR PARKED, THE AIRBAG SIGN ILLUMINATES OFF. OCCASIONALLY THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. AT TIMES THE SENSOR WILL SENSE THE SMALLEST THINGS, SUCH AS A SMALL BOX OF TISSUES, AND THE AIRBAG WILL TURN ON WITHOUT A PASSENGER. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3-4 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11006160

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.