FIRST AT 10,496 THEN AT APPROXIMATELY 17,163; 19,031; AND 21,182 MILES THE LOW OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN MY CAR. BETWEEN 19,031 AND 21,182 MILES I ADDED APPROXIMATELY 4.0 QUARTS OF OIL TO MY ENGINE. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. *TR
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 →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
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.
What owners actually said
249 reportsAFTER 3,000-5,000 MILES ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I ASKED SURPRISINGLY, " HOW CAN THIS BE?" " I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND IT'S A NEW CAR." AFTER ADDING A QUART (AND KEEPING AN EYE ON) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN 3,000 MILES AFTER MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THIS C…
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AFTER 3,000-5,000 MILES ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS DOWN 1 QUART OF OIL. I ASKED SURPRISINGLY, " HOW CAN THIS BE?" " I JUST HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND IT'S A NEW CAR." AFTER ADDING A QUART (AND KEEPING AN EYE ON) THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN 3,000 MILES AFTER MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT BURNS THAT MUCH OIL, UNLESS THERE IS A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE CASE, AND SUBARU IS COVERING THEIR TAIL BY STATING THAT ITS NORMAL FOR THE AUTOMOBILE TO "CONSUME" THAT AMOUNT OF OIL. " JUST LOOK IN YOUR USERS MANUAL." I DON'T BELIEVE SO. I THINK THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IF THEY ARE TO CONTINUE CLAIMING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I AM ONE WHO IS FAR FROM IT! *TR
DECEMBER 19, 2013, I PURCHASED A SUBARU IMPREZA FROM KOEPPEL SUBARU IN LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE CAR WAS "BRAND NEW" AND USED ONLY FOR TEST DRIVES. AFTER 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS TO START. PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR DOOR HAD TO BE OPE…
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DECEMBER 19, 2013, I PURCHASED A SUBARU IMPREZA FROM KOEPPEL SUBARU IN LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE CAR WAS "BRAND NEW" AND USED ONLY FOR TEST DRIVES. AFTER 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS TO START. PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT GO OFF REGARDLESS OF THE SEAT BEING EMPTY OR OCCUPIED. SOMEONE GAVE ME A "BOOST" WHICH STARTED THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND THEN PARKED THE CAR. I WENT ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE CAR BEING UNUSED FOR TWO WEEKS, AGAIN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS ADVISED BY THEM TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO ANY SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BAYRIDGE SUBARU WHICH EVALUATED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE CAR HAD A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY. SUBARU DEALERS WERE INFORMED IN APRIL OF 2013 THAT IMPREZA HAD A DEFECT WHICH CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE CAR LEADING TO THE BATTERY DYING AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. KOEPPEL SUBARU DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2013. THEY ALSO DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY CORPORATE OWNED. I BELIEVE THAT KOEPPEL SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME ABOUT THE RECALL AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT IT WAS USED AS A "LOANER" BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I BELIEVE KOEPPEL SUBARU COMMITTED CONSUMER FRAUD BY NOT INFORMING ME OF THE RECALL AND THE CAR'S HISTORY BEFORE PURCHASE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND SIMPLY WANT A REFUND OF MY DOWN PAYMENT ($5,000) AND CAR PAYMENTS MADE UP TO CURRENT DATE. KOEPELL SUBARU SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR THEIR PRACTICES IN SELLING USED CARS. I REFUSE TO PAY BAYRIDGE SUBARU $35/DAY FOR STORAGE OF THIS UNSAFE CAR. KOEPPEL SUBARU IS IN VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW.
THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHERE THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT ERRATICALLY COMES ON WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THEN THE RED DASH LIGHT LOOKING LIKE A BALLOON WILL COME ON. NEITHER THE WEIGHT/POSITIONING OF THE OCCUPANT NOR RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CHANGE WHETHER THE PASSENGER AIR BIG OFF LIGHT WI…
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THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE WHERE THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT ERRATICALLY COMES ON WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND THEN THE RED DASH LIGHT LOOKING LIKE A BALLOON WILL COME ON. NEITHER THE WEIGHT/POSITIONING OF THE OCCUPANT NOR RESTARTING THE VEHICLE CHANGE WHETHER THE PASSENGER AIR BIG OFF LIGHT WILL TURN ON OR OFF. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN I STARTED ENDURING MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR LOW OIL. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT MY OIL ISSUE IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT HAD TO BE TAKE TO THE DEALER AS MUCH AS MY SUBARU. I AM HAVING MY OIL CHANGES DONE EVERY 3-4 MONTHS …
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I HAVE HAD MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA FOR ABOUT A YEAR WHEN I STARTED ENDURING MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR LOW OIL. I AM BEING TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT MY OIL ISSUE IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT HAD TO BE TAKE TO THE DEALER AS MUCH AS MY SUBARU. I AM HAVING MY OIL CHANGES DONE EVERY 3-4 MONTHS AND HAVING TO TAKE IT IN 1-2 TIMES IN BETWEEN TO HAVE OIL ADDED. EVERY TIME I SHOW UP FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST I AM ABOUT 1-1/2 QTS LOW ON OIL. I PURCHASED A SUBARU BECAUSE THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE THEY ARE. NOW, I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST NEED TO CARRY OIL IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THIS WAS A USED CAR OFF OF A LOT, THIS WAS NOT. THIS HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST PAIN OF A CAR AND I WILL BE TRADING IT IN AND NEVER BUYING ANOTHER SUBARU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AS IT PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A BOULDER FOLLOWED BY A TREE. THE REAR BUMPER WAS DAMAGED HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AS IT PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A BOULDER FOLLOWED BY A TREE. THE REAR BUMPER WAS DAMAGED HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE, INITIALLY IN NOVEMBER 2013 AND AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2014 WHILE IN REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ILLUMINATED WITH AN OFF. IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON. THE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW WITH LESS THAN A YEAR DRIVING IT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ILLUMINATION LIGHT TURNS TO OFF. ITS REALLY SCARY TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPEN IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT DURING THE MALFUNCTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARA IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARA IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED COMING TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON,BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. RETURNED TO DEALER TO REPAIR. DEALER TOOK 2 DAYS TO REPAIR . AT WITCH IT LASTED TILL TODAY(12/30/2013). THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. VERY SCARY YOU WONDER IF THE CAR IS RELIABLE AND AL…
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BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED COMING TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON,BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. RETURNED TO DEALER TO REPAIR. DEALER TOOK 2 DAYS TO REPAIR . AT WITCH IT LASTED TILL TODAY(12/30/2013). THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. VERY SCARY YOU WONDER IF THE CAR IS RELIABLE AND ALWAYS AFRAID TO TRAVEL NOW. HAVE GRANDCHILDREN AND CANNOT TRUST THIS CAR. I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP. HAVE TO RETURN TO DEALER (AGAIN) TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT (AGAIN). WONDER IF THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK IN THE MORNING AND AS I ENTERED THE PARKING AREA I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT COME ON. I PARKED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL, AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE STICK. I HAD JUST CHANGED THE OIL LESS THAN 2000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS AND I WAS CONCERNED. I PROCEEDED TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. I TOOK…
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I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK IN THE MORNING AND AS I ENTERED THE PARKING AREA I NOTICED MY OIL LIGHT COME ON. I PARKED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE OIL, AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE STICK. I HAD JUST CHANGED THE OIL LESS THAN 2000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS AND I WAS CONCERNED. I PROCEEDED TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY ENGINE IS A QUART LOW ON MOTOR OIL (0W20), AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL BECAUSE 2.0I FB ENGINES BURN A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES AT THE MOST. THIS IS ABSURD, I AM A FORMER ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING I THOUGHT TO BE NORMAL. THIS CARS IS RATED TO GO 7500 MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, AND IF I AM BURNING A QRT OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILE THEN I AM ESSENTIALLY CHANGING THE OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. TO CALL THIS A COMMON/NORMAL OCCURRENCE IS LIKE SAYING THAT THEY CARE NOTHING ABOUT THERE CUSTOMERS. THE DEALER ESSENTIALLY TOPED OFF MY OIL, PUT A STICKER IN THE WINDOW AND SAID IN 1200 MILE COME BACK AND WE WILL START AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF THE DEALER OR SUBARU. THIS INITIAL COST WOULD BE CHARGED TO ME THE CUSTOMER AT A COST OF ALMOST $100.00 DOLLARS WHICH I FIND RIDICULOUS SINCE THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THIS IS A DIAGNOSTIC OF A FAILURE NOT A NORMAL OIL CHANGE. WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA I STILL GOT THE RUN AROUND, AND I FEEL AS IF THEY ARE HIDING THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A WHOLE FLEET OF VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD READY TO BLOW ENGINES AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING THEY DID IN THE PAST WITH THE 2.5 AND BLAME THE CUSTOMER. *TR
Official recalls
419V149000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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