NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
108 reports77,794 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (CIOCCA SUBARU 4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103 (610) 395-3745) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED. THE ENGINE WAS DIS ASSEMBLED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (CIOCCA SUBARU 4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103 (610) 395-3745) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED. THE ENGINE WAS DIS ASSEMBLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FAULKNER SUBARU HARRISBURG 3233 PAXTON ST, HARRISBURG, PA 17111 (717) 564-4545), WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A FRACTURED VALVE SPRING IN CYLINDER NUMBER 3 WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CEASE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER AND PISTON. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CYLINDER WITH AN UPDATED CAM CARRIER, VALVE SPRINGS, FRONT COVER WITH UPDATED CAM SHAFT SENSORS DUE TO OIL CONTAMINATION, AND THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY OFFERED TO PAY $5,000 THEN AFTER NEGOTIATIONS STATED THEY OFFERED TO PAY EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR $600. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,794.
NHTSA ODI #11302850
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING IT MY CHECK ENGINE, HAZARDOUS ROADS AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A SENSOR, MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. OCV VALVES AND "MAINTENANCE" LIGHT. THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER TRULY BEEN RESOLVED AND NO ONE HAS BE…
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I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER OWNING IT MY CHECK ENGINE, HAZARDOUS ROADS AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A SENSOR, MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. OCV VALVES AND "MAINTENANCE" LIGHT. THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER TRULY BEEN RESOLVED AND NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN SERVICE WORKERS HAVE JUST CLEARED THE COMPUTER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY.
NHTSA ODI #11289189
40,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Steering
MY CAR HAS AN UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT. THE STEERING IS TIGHTER AND MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN DRIVING, WHILE TURNING RIGHT. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS CAR. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED 7/24/18, NUMBER: 04-21-18, SHOWING SEVERAL MODELS OF SUBARU'S HAVE THIS STEERING ISSUE. I HAVE ATTAC…
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MY CAR HAS AN UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT. THE STEERING IS TIGHTER AND MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN DRIVING, WHILE TURNING RIGHT. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS CAR. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED 7/24/18, NUMBER: 04-21-18, SHOWING SEVERAL MODELS OF SUBARU'S HAVE THIS STEERING ISSUE. I HAVE ATTACHED THE BULLETIN BELOW FOR YOUR REVIEW. THE BULLETIN SAYS, "IF A CRACK IS CONFIRMED, THE EPS STEERING GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED." THE WORD "MUST" TELLS ME IT IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS CAR, I RETURNED IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #11282879
73,450 miles · Nov 26, 2019
Power Train
MY SON OWNS A 2014 SUBARU WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON 25 NOV 2019 HE WAS DRIVING ON 501 TOWARDS LITITZ/LANCASTER PA WHEN HIS THIRD GEAR DECIDED TO DESTROY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING @ 45MPH. I HAVE READ ABOUT SO MA Y OF THESE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DESTROYING THEMSELVES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THAT CAR IS HIS PRIDE & J…
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MY SON OWNS A 2014 SUBARU WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON 25 NOV 2019 HE WAS DRIVING ON 501 TOWARDS LITITZ/LANCASTER PA WHEN HIS THIRD GEAR DECIDED TO DESTROY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING @ 45MPH. I HAVE READ ABOUT SO MA Y OF THESE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DESTROYING THEMSELVES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THAT CAR IS HIS PRIDE & JOY UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. HE PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARYLAND. WATCHING A REBUILD ON YOUTUBE AFTER HIS PHONE CALL IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN ANY HELICUT GEARS. LOUSY MATERIALS USED. BEING AROUND CARS, STREET & HI PERFORMANCE RIDES ALL MY LIFE I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A MANUAL TRANSMISSION DESTROY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL/HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EITHER SUBARU MANUFACTURES IT'S VEHICLES TO HAVE ISSUES SUCH A LOUSY GEAR BOX'S OR THEY ARE BUYING TRASH FROM LOUSY VENDORS. HIGH PERFORMANCE AMERICAN, GERMAN, FRENCH, ITALIAN & OTHER JAPANESE CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. SUBMIT A QUESTION TO ALL SUBARU OWNERS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS TO SEE HOW MA Y OF THEM LOST GEARS IN THEM. NO ACCIDENT HAD HAPPENED ONLY BECAUSE MY SON IS A LEVEL HEADED PERSON WITH GOOD COMMON SENSE FOR A 24 YEAR OLD THIS 3 DEC.
NHTSA ODI #11282483
51,000 miles · Nov 5, 2019
Air BagsSeats
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO WEST SUBARU (948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A NEW SE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO WEST SUBARU (948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A NEW SEAT NEEDED TO BE PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #11278218
42,500 miles · Aug 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
I ADUJSTED STEERING WHEEL AND TRIED TO START THE IGNITION AND NO CRANK, NO LIGHTS ON DASH AND CAR WINDOWS WONT WORK. THIS CAR IS WELL TAKING CARE OF AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP ONLY. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #11252607
98,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Air Bags
SINCE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I GOT THE CAR, THE PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM WILL TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WITH AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, OR JUST WON'T TURN IT ON AT STARTUP. IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS OFF AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER. IT WILL ACKNOWLEDGE A PASSENGER, IF ONE IS PRESENT, AS IT DINGS TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, BUT …
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SINCE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER I GOT THE CAR, THE PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM WILL TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WITH AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, OR JUST WON'T TURN IT ON AT STARTUP. IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS OFF AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER. IT WILL ACKNOWLEDGE A PASSENGER, IF ONE IS PRESENT, AS IT DINGS TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, BUT THE AIRBAG STAYS OFF. OR, IT WILL BE OFF, THEN DETECTS A PASSENGER AFTER A WHILE, AND TURN ON, ONLY TO TURN OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER.
NHTSA ODI #11243846
33,561 miles · Jul 29, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DEACTIVATES WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. HAS OCCURRED DURING IN-TOWN AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. DOES NOT ALWAYS CORRECT WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN STOPPED, RESTARTED, ETC. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED TELLING PASSENGERS TO REFRAIN FROM CELLPHONE/TECH USE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AS IF THAT IS A SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11240363
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2019
Electrical System
RECALL - UNABLE TO GET SERVICE IN REASONABLE TIME - HAVE CONTACTED DEALERS IN BOSTON AREA - ALL TO BUSY TO FIX THIS ISSUE SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 BRAKE LAMP SWITCH RECALL NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149 REGARDING VIN: JF1GPAD69E[XXX] DEAR [XXX], THIS NOTICE IS SENT TO YOU IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTO…
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RECALL - UNABLE TO GET SERVICE IN REASONABLE TIME - HAVE CONTACTED DEALERS IN BOSTON AREA - ALL TO BUSY TO FIX THIS ISSUE SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 BRAKE LAMP SWITCH RECALL NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149 REGARDING VIN: JF1GPAD69E[XXX] DEAR [XXX], THIS NOTICE IS SENT TO YOU IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT, WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2013-2017 MODEL YEAR CROSSTREK VEHICLES, 2014-2016 MODEL YEAR FORESTER VEHICLES, 2008-2016 MODEL YEAR IMPREZA (4-DOOR) VEHICLES, 2012-2016 MODEL YEAR IMPREZA (5-DOOR) VEHICLES, AND 2008-2014 MODEL YEAR WRX (4-DOOR) VEHICLES. YOU RECEIVED THIS NOTICE BECAUSE OUR RECORDS INDICATE THAT YOU CURRENTLY OWN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH IN YOUR VEHICLE, THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE AS INTENDED WHILE BRAKING. BRAKE LIGHTS THAT DO NOT ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WILL NOT ALERT OTHER DRIVERS THAT THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING OR STOPPING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. IN THE EVENT OF A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE, THE BRAKES ON YOUR VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
NHTSA ODI #11234379
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2019
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER HAS DAMP OR WET CLOTHES AND DOESN'T TURN BACK ON FOR OVER A DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11232640
Official recalls
3Feb 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.
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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗