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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
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2022
Electrical System

Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle u…

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Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or ignition until it decides to work. When my vehicle is stolen, will Subaru replace it? This is a problem for which Subaru should beheld responsible.

NHTSA ODI #11474096

77,000 miles · Jul 2, 2022
Steering

power steering fails and then begins working again, happened while driving and lost power steering while getting off the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11472091

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2022
Air Bags

Passenger side seat occupancy sensor failed to recognize the occupancy of the passenger seat. Sensor seams to have failed causing the airbag malfunction light to illuminate on the dash. After considerable research online this seems to be a consistent problem with these vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a recall for the same sensor …

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Passenger side seat occupancy sensor failed to recognize the occupancy of the passenger seat. Sensor seams to have failed causing the airbag malfunction light to illuminate on the dash. After considerable research online this seems to be a consistent problem with these vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a recall for the same sensor in 2012 Subaru Imprezas but not for the 2013 Subaru Imprezas.

NHTSA ODI #11460611

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2022
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the key would become stuck in the ignition switch. The failure would occur intermittently however it was progressively worsening. The contact contacted the dealer who stated that the CVT parking brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. …

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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the key would become stuck in the ignition switch. The failure would occur intermittently however it was progressively worsening. The contact contacted the dealer who stated that the CVT parking brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the extended warranty however they did not qualify due to the vehicle being a rebuilt vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11459000

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Got 2 codes on secondary air system p2440,p0410. Witch restricted me from passing safety inspection and have a check engine light. It seems to be an on going common problem.

NHTSA ODI #11457495

95,000 miles · Mar 16, 2022
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempt…

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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempted to drive forward when the vehicle revved up again and accelerated independently. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however they failed to respond. The vehicle came to a stop at the opposite of the road blocking traffic. The contact managed to park the vehicle and activate the emergency brakes. The contact sustained injuries to their knee and chest area. No medical attention was not needed. There was damage to their home. There was no police report filed. The contact's insurance had the vehicle towed to a repair shop who was not able to find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who was unable to identify the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #11456985

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Key gets stuck.

NHTSA ODI #11442626

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Air Bags

In humid weather SRS airbag warning light illuminates and passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in the front seat. Car is in motion (or can be stationary but running) when this happens. Does not occur on days when weather is cool and dry. I feel this should be considered a very serious issue.

NHTSA ODI #11438214

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2021
Air Bags

If a passenger with mildly damp pants or bathing suit sits in the car the airbag warning light will come on and the indicator for passenger airbag disabled will light. This happens consistently and does not require much moisture. It happens with a mildly damp bathing suit under shorts while sitting on a towel. It will not hap…

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If a passenger with mildly damp pants or bathing suit sits in the car the airbag warning light will come on and the indicator for passenger airbag disabled will light. This happens consistently and does not require much moisture. It happens with a mildly damp bathing suit under shorts while sitting on a towel. It will not happen (again, consistently) if the passenger sits on a plastic bag. The airbag should be more reliable than this. The dealer said there is no fix for this issue and it is known that moisture may cause the airbag to not work. The customer advocacy dept of Subaru of America deferred to the dealer and just said there are no recalls for the vehicle. This appears to be the same issue as the 2012 recall. Subaru would not explain to me how my problem is any different from the 2012 recall problem.

NHTSA ODI #11438113

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2021
Power Train

Three warning lights (ABS; Incline start assist; Traction control system) illuminate, while the AT Oil Temp warning light flashes. This happens sporadically and not every time the car is driven. The Subaru dealership mentioned it was some type of module that was tripping the codes. I'm reporting this issue, because I didn't see …

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Three warning lights (ABS; Incline start assist; Traction control system) illuminate, while the AT Oil Temp warning light flashes. This happens sporadically and not every time the car is driven. The Subaru dealership mentioned it was some type of module that was tripping the codes. I'm reporting this issue, because I didn't see a recall for it.

NHTSA ODI #11436951

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.