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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 · Mar 7, 2020
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE SOMETIMES SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG ON" INAPPROPRIATELY (NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT). ALSO IT SOMETIMES SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" IF SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM NERVOUS IF I GET IN A CRASH MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NO PROTECT MY PASSE…

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE SOMETIMES SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG ON" INAPPROPRIATELY (NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT). ALSO IT SOMETIMES SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" IF SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I AM NERVOUS IF I GET IN A CRASH MY AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NO PROTECT MY PASSENGER. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ISSUED FOR 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA AIRBAG SYSTEMS, AND THE SAME SYSTEM IS USED IN THE 2013 MODEL, SO I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS IS NOT BEING FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11316774

50,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020
Electrical System

WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO PARK THE KEY CANNON BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT'S AN ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND SUBARU SHOULD PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES NOW. CAR CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11315972

120,000 miles · Jan 20, 2020
Electrical System

SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING TRANSMISSION INTO PARK IN ORDER TO GET KEY OUT. KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11300394

17,450 miles · Jan 12, 2020
Steering

WHILE I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I BECAME AWARE THE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY SECOND CAR TO A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. UPON RETURNING HOME I MOVED THE SUBARU IMPREZA TO THE FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT STILL DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. I CALLED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER…

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WHILE I WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I BECAME AWARE THE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY SECOND CAR TO A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. UPON RETURNING HOME I MOVED THE SUBARU IMPREZA TO THE FRONT OF THE DRIVEWAY. IT STILL DIDN'T HAVE POWER STEERING. I CALLED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY 1/8/2020 AND LEFT THE CAR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALERSHIP IS APPROXIMATELY 2.3 MILES FROM MY HOME. I WOKE UP AT 5:30 AM TO AVOID TRAFFIC AND I CAREFULLY (SLOWLY) DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON LOCAL STREETS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED SO I OPTED TO LEAVE THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $839.95. THE CAR IS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH ONLY 17,450 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE CAR REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR TWO DAYS AND I PICKED IT UP ON 1/10/2020. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I RESEARCHED VARIOUS WEBSITES TO DETERMINE WHETHER OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. MY INTERNET SEARCH PROVED TO BE ENLIGHTENING. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE/WERE ENUMERABLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING SUBARU IMPREZA POWER STEERING FAILURES. GO TO THE AUTO RECALL FOR CONSUMERS WEBSITE (ARFC) FOR CONFIRMATION OF MY ASSERTION. THE COMPLAINTS GO BACK TO 2009, 2010, 2011,....EVERY YEAR THROUGH 2019, THERE ARE ENUMERABLE COMPLAINTS RECOUNTING POWER STEERING FAILURES FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA. I ALSO CAME ACROSS A SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 04-21-18 DATED 07/24/18 SUBJECT UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT. I CAN'T FATHOM HOW THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FAILURE HAS NOT RESULTED IN A NATIONAL RECALL BY THE NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI #11298879

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2020
Electrical System

LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT (MAIN HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS) WITH FREQUENCY (EVERY 6 MONTHS). MOREOVER, ONCE ONE BURNS OUT, THE SECOND LIGHT TENDS TO BURN OUT THE NEXT DAY. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 5 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, EVEN BUYING HIGH QUALITY REPLACEMENT BULBS.

NHTSA ODI #11298255

66,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Air BagsEngineStructureCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I-10 ON 11/27/2019 AT 2 PM. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60- TO 65 MPH AND HIT A SUV THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ( PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. I RECEIVED CONTUSIONS FROM MY RIGHT HIP TO MY LEFT CLAVIC…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I-10 ON 11/27/2019 AT 2 PM. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60- TO 65 MPH AND HIT A SUV THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ( PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. I RECEIVED CONTUSIONS FROM MY RIGHT HIP TO MY LEFT CLAVICLE BUT NO BROKEN BONES.

NHTSA ODI #11297758

100,015 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Air Bags

THE FRONT AIRBAG PASSENGER SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS. IT TURNS THE AIRBAG OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. RESTARTING THE CAR AND REPOSITIONING THE SEAT DOES NOT RELIABLY TURN THE SEATBELT BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS DRY.

NHTSA ODI #11297482

127,000 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Engine

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM CALIFORNIA TO COLORADO LAST SATURDAY, AND OUR CAR STOPPED RUNNING HALFWAY ACROSS UTAH. A VALVE SPRING BLEW A HOLE IN OUR IGNITION AND WE HAD TO GET OUR VEHICLE TOWED 50 MILES TO THE NEAREST CAR SHOP. MY WIFE LATER FOUND OUT THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THAT EXACT SAME ISSUE. I CONTAC…

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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM CALIFORNIA TO COLORADO LAST SATURDAY, AND OUR CAR STOPPED RUNNING HALFWAY ACROSS UTAH. A VALVE SPRING BLEW A HOLE IN OUR IGNITION AND WE HAD TO GET OUR VEHICLE TOWED 50 MILES TO THE NEAREST CAR SHOP. MY WIFE LATER FOUND OUT THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THAT EXACT SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED SUBARU THIS MORNING ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO GET ASSISTANCE. MOREOVER THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE OF MY HIGH MILAGE IT WILL DEPEND WHETHER OR NOT THEY PROVIDE SOME COVERAGE FOR THE DAMAGES. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR FROM HEUBERGER MOTORS, AND WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STILL BEING HELD BY THE TOWING COMPANY IN UTAH, FURTHERMORE I'M CURRENTLY STATIONED IN FORT CARSON COLORADO ABOUT 600 MILES AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11297327

40,000 miles · Jan 5, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER ADULT HUMAN MALE, GETS TRIPPED IF CELL PHON E IS IN PROXIMITY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT AIRBAG IS THEREFORE OFF AND WILL NOT GO OFF IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS IF THE FRONT PASSENGER HAS A LAPTOP OR CELLPHONE. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT T…

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SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER ADULT HUMAN MALE, GETS TRIPPED IF CELL PHON E IS IN PROXIMITY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT AIRBAG IS THEREFORE OFF AND WILL NOT GO OFF IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS IF THE FRONT PASSENGER HAS A LAPTOP OR CELLPHONE. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR IS BROKEN BUT DUE TO WATER DAMAGE WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED - IF A DAMP USER IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO SENSOR I BELIEVE SUBARU IS PURPOSEFULLY RELEASING POORLY DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED PARTS. THIS ISSUES FIRST APPEARED IN 2017 AND WAS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOT OCCURRING EVERY TIME A PASSENGER RIDES WITH ME.

NHTSA ODI #11297171

97,000 miles · Jan 3, 2020
Power Train

WHILE GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, GAS PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM THANKFUL THAT A CAR WAS NOT TAILING BEHIND ME AND THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING DURING COMMUTE HOURS. TRACTION ASSIST, HILL ASSIST, AND CHECK ENGINE AT OIL TEMP LIGHT CAME …

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WHILE GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, GAS PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I AM THANKFUL THAT A CAR WAS NOT TAILING BEHIND ME AND THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING DURING COMMUTE HOURS. TRACTION ASSIST, HILL ASSIST, AND CHECK ENGINE AT OIL TEMP LIGHT CAME ON. AT 97,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR BODILY HARM AND HARM TO PROPERTY, THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED AS A UNIT. FOR A CAR THAT HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT HAS NOT DRIVEN IN SEVERE CONDITIONS, IT WAS SURPRISING THAT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE SHOULD OCCUR AT THIS MILEAGE. WHILE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM SUBARU SHOWS GOOD FAITH, IT DOES VERY LITTLE TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF SUBARU DRIVERS. IT IS RECKLESS AND ABHORRENT FOR SUBARU TO BE AWARE OF THE SAFETY PROBLEM AND TO DO NOTHING TO MITIGATE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11297032

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.