IllustrationAirbag occupancy sensors fail if driver or passenger are warm from exercise or damp. I have experienced this many times in the course of my ownership(2015-present). The dealership reports the system is functioning properly although 2012 Imprezas were recalled for a similar issue.
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
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 reportsThe passenger airbag occupancy sensor in my care is broken and has been since I purchased this vehicle in 2016. It is the same issue that caused the recall of 2012 Impreza models, however, my 2013 model is not covered under the recall despite having the same occupancy sensor for the airbags. If the passenger airbag sensor is ex…
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The passenger airbag occupancy sensor in my care is broken and has been since I purchased this vehicle in 2016. It is the same issue that caused the recall of 2012 Impreza models, however, my 2013 model is not covered under the recall despite having the same occupancy sensor for the airbags. If the passenger airbag sensor is exposed to moisture, whether from a wet seat, a sweaty bum, or even an excessively humid environment like Charleston SC in the summer or western Washington, the passenger airbag will switch off even when there is a passenger present. . The warning lamp on the driver dash lights up, and the passenger airbag display reads "OFF". The airbag will shut off at any point, even if the vehicle is already in motion, should the moisture levels reach a certain level in the environment. This is an expensive, cost prohibitive repair that I believe Subaru consumers shouldn't be responsible for. This malfunction puts passengers in my vehicle at risk should an accident occur when the airbag is shut off despite the presence of a passenger. I have documented this on MANY occasions- from 2016 to 2021. Subaru should step up and expand this recall to other models that use the same passenger occupancy sensor as the recalled sensors in their 2012 Impreza's.
The air bag light and “passenger airbag off” lights on dash come on sometimes when a passenger is in the car. I took my car to the Subaru dealer/service department and they charged me $140 to reset the lights and tell me the solution is to replace the passenger seat for $900.
When an adult passenger is sitting normally in the front passenger seat the passenger air bag regularly turns off. The warning light comes on indicating the air bag is off. This put the front passenger at risk if their air bag fails to deploy.
Check engine/break/ABS/traction control/ cruise control and AT OIL TEMP lights are all on. Now my back break lights are not working! Car jerks at times. Read on a few forms that this was an issue for Subaru Imprezas 2012 and up. There was also a recall on this issue on April 2019. Please have this recalled again.
Malfunction with my dashboard lights. ABS/ AT OIL TEMP/TRACKTION CONTROL/ HILL LIGHT and CRUISE CONTROL GAGE. Are all on car seems to run somewhat alright until car jerks then all of the mentioned issues comes on.
Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the Airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same…
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Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the Airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same system.
Was traveling normally and suddenly car abruptly stopped with engine running.
The seat bag indicator light in my 2013 Impreza (manual) goes on in humid weather -- all Fall, Winter, and Spring it's fine; as soon as humid summer weather comes... the light goes on. I assume that because the light is on the air bags won't work!!... This seems like a pretty bad problem to me; and from what I can see I am n…
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The seat bag indicator light in my 2013 Impreza (manual) goes on in humid weather -- all Fall, Winter, and Spring it's fine; as soon as humid summer weather comes... the light goes on. I assume that because the light is on the air bags won't work!!... This seems like a pretty bad problem to me; and from what I can see I am not the only one with this issue. Mileage if you need it is: 107005
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond causing a 3-feet stopping distance delay. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was vibrating and would rest on the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle was taken to th…
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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but hesitated to respond causing a 3-feet stopping distance delay. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was vibrating and would rest on the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front brake rotors, brake pads, and calipers needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The ABS warning light and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.
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.