← New search

2015 Subaru Impreza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Subaru Impreza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 56.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

55 reports with mileage · 22 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2023
Engine

All of a sudden, with no reason whatsoever, my daughter's car has "rod knock" with less than 100,000 miles on it. Bought this Subaru for my daughter so she would have a car that would last a long time and she would be safe. Maintenance was kept up at our local mechanic religiously. I am saddened and disappointed in the mechani…

Read full complaint

All of a sudden, with no reason whatsoever, my daughter's car has "rod knock" with less than 100,000 miles on it. Bought this Subaru for my daughter so she would have a car that would last a long time and she would be safe. Maintenance was kept up at our local mechanic religiously. I am saddened and disappointed in the mechanical performance of this vehicle. Started with lights going out early in ownership when it was new, and now this. I have a Subaru Impreza as well and am strongly considering trading it in for a Honda. I have family that works for Subaru and I wanted to support family and bought 2 Impreza's based on belief that your brand was highly regarded for longevity and safety. Engine's in vehicles should last more than 100k miles, regardless of the manufacturer. This should be a recall based on internet research. My ask is that Subaru stands up to its marketing and its product and takes care of this repair at no cost.

NHTSA ODI #11537225

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I purchased a Subaru for reliability and safety reasons. This car has placed my family in some dangerous situations. Every time the outside temp is 90+ degrees F and it is driven on a road trip of 200+ miles, the car's acceleration shuts off. There is never any warning or check engine/trans lights until after this happens. Nate …

Read full complaint

I purchased a Subaru for reliability and safety reasons. This car has placed my family in some dangerous situations. Every time the outside temp is 90+ degrees F and it is driven on a road trip of 200+ miles, the car's acceleration shuts off. There is never any warning or check engine/trans lights until after this happens. Nate Wade Subaru in Salt Lake City cannot find any codes and does not know how to help. The car will not restart after being turned off, even after waiting up to an hour. We have had to tow it. The last incident taking place 7/30/2022 with our 19 year old son driving. The worst part is that twice it happened in the far left lane with no option to get over to the right side of the highway safely due to traffic. Cars/trucks from behind have narrowly missed hitting us because there was not enough shoulder to pull out of the way. This has happened both in UT and ID where posted speed limits were 70-80 mph and put us in real danger. I don't know what to do other than sell the car. But I don't feel right doing that without sharing this problem -which would then "kill" the sale. It is unacceptable to not have a fix for this issue or at least a warning light so we know when it might happen. 

NHTSA ODI #11477430

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

Yesterday, March 28, 2022 I stopped to run into a shop. Left my windows down because it was hot. My AC fan doesn’t work half the time. When I put my keys in the ignition, the key would not turn to accessories or ignite the car to start. The steering wheel was locked. The park gear shift wouldn’t move. I tried forcing these for a…

Read full complaint

Yesterday, March 28, 2022 I stopped to run into a shop. Left my windows down because it was hot. My AC fan doesn’t work half the time. When I put my keys in the ignition, the key would not turn to accessories or ignite the car to start. The steering wheel was locked. The park gear shift wouldn’t move. I tried forcing these for at least 15 minutes. I had my emergency key fob and tried it repeatedly,too, but still I don’t know why it turned finally. I took to Subaru today who had a technical bulletin about it, fixed it for no charge. Says letter has gone out but I hadn’t received it. Why? I live alone, am 73, and do not have anyone to call to help. It’s unsafe because one could be stuck in the car when bad weather is outside creating a dangerous situation. Subaru called this Park-Range repair.

NHTSA ODI #11458895

60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2021
Engine

A BAD OIL VALVE IN THE ENGINE TRIPPED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UPON STARTING THE CAR. THE BAD VALVE WAS POSSIBLY LETTING SLUDGE GET INTO THE ENGINE. AT ONLY 60K ANDWITH DOING RELIGIOUS OIL CHANGES ON TIME, THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART FOR WHICH A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11399583

31,500 miles · Jan 19, 2021
Engine

I HAVE A 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH 31,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTYDUE TO AGE). THECAR HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM CARRIER COVER (AKA VALVE COVER) ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE O2 SENSOR CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE THAT THEN ENTERS THE CABIN. SUBARU'S ESTIMATE $4973.87. READING SUBARU FORUMS I'VE COME TO DISCOVER THAT…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH 31,000 MILES (OUT OF WARRANTYDUE TO AGE). THECAR HAS DEVELOPED A SMALL OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM CARRIER COVER (AKA VALVE COVER) ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE O2 SENSOR CAUSING A LOT OF SMOKE THAT THEN ENTERS THE CABIN. SUBARU'S ESTIMATE $4973.87. READING SUBARU FORUMS I'VE COME TO DISCOVER THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM IN VEHICLES DATING BETWEEN 2012 AND 2017. DUE TO THE SMOKE IT CREATES IN THE CABIN, AND THE HEALTH RISKS THERE IN, AND THE SHORT LIFE OF THE PART IN QUESTION, I'D RECOMMEND A RECALL BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11388909

59,925 miles · Jan 10, 2020
Engine

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE CVT SELECT SHIFT MECHANISM THAT CAUSES THE KEY TO GET LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF PLATE GUIDE-B, PART NUMBER 35122FJ033. THIS ONGOING PROBLEM IS SUBJECT TO SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R DATED 03/15/2018 AND REVISED AS OF …

Read full complaint

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE CVT SELECT SHIFT MECHANISM THAT CAUSES THE KEY TO GET LOCKED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF PLATE GUIDE-B, PART NUMBER 35122FJ033. THIS ONGOING PROBLEM IS SUBJECT TO SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R DATED 03/15/2018 AND REVISED AS OF 02/20/2019. THIS SUBARU IDENTIFIED SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTS MULTIPLE MODELS. COST OF PART REPLACEMENT IS NOT OFFSET BY SUBARU WITH 100% OF THE COST REQUIRED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #11298451

71,000 miles · May 28, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING THE START BUTTON. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING THE START BUTTON. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KOLB JR. SUBARU (LOCATED AT 252 NY-303, ORANGEBURG, NY 10962, (845) 359-7777) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #11210392

28,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Engine

VEHICLE STATIONARY, ENGINE AT IDLE, AWAITING LEFT HAND TURN. TURN STEERING WHEEL LEFT, ATTEMPT TO ACCERERATE, ENGINE TEMPORARILY STALLS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OTHER DEFECTIVE RELAYS. IS THIS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP RELAY?

NHTSA ODI #10924229

200 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Engine

SOON AFTER DELIVERY, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE LAG ( 2-20 SECONDS) BETWEEN THE TIME THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AT TIMES THIS LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE ACCELERATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED ( NOT AT DEALER) AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOR A TIME, NOW THE SAME LA…

Read full complaint

SOON AFTER DELIVERY, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE LAG ( 2-20 SECONDS) BETWEEN THE TIME THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AT TIMES THIS LEAD TO DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE ACCELERATOR MODULE WAS REPLACED ( NOT AT DEALER) AND THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOR A TIME, NOW THE SAME LAG HAS BEGUN TO OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES, ESPECIALLY AFTER SLOWING TO LESS THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR. NOTE:-- THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR ONE OF TWO DRIVERS OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THE POSITION OF THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR MAKES THE DIFFERENCE. NEVER HAS THIS DRIVER HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES ( THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM, NOT A SINGLE OR ISOLATED EVENT.)

NHTSA ODI #10909314

10,000 miles · May 27, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CAR WILL HAVE A SLOW OR NON RESPONSIVE START FROM A STOP.. THERE WILL BE A COUPLE SECOND LAG FROM THE TIME I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA ODI #10871184

Official recalls

2

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.

15V366000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Jun 12, 2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.

Consequence: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.

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.