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2018 Subaru Impreza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Impreza years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Subaru Impreza are substantially higher than the model-year median of 56.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

51 reports with mileage · 99 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 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 reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

after less than two years into my lease, the car was completely 'dead'. I could not start it or 'jump' it. It cost me out of pocket money to have it towed 50 miles to dealership. They replaced battery. They car was recalled a year or so. Took it into dealership for repair. After I noticed that automatic headlight dimmer would no…

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after less than two years into my lease, the car was completely 'dead'. I could not start it or 'jump' it. It cost me out of pocket money to have it towed 50 miles to dealership. They replaced battery. They car was recalled a year or so. Took it into dealership for repair. After I noticed that automatic headlight dimmer would not work.-Still doesn't. 2 weeks ago, car would not start. Was told again by dealer that car had to be brought in. Was referred to 'roadside service company' Was quoted an ' out of pocket' charge of $644 to tow vehicle to dealership. Since I could not do that, decided to order battery myself for $260. waiting for battery to arrive

NHTSA ODI #11474350

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2021
Unknown Or Other

This vehicle was sold to me with the recall not fixed and not disclosed to me. They also did not disclose that this vehicle is a salvage. (They being a dealership). It was sold at salvage/insurance auction with 14, 170 miles. It was then sold at a dealer auction with 14, 171 miles. When it was sold to me the mileage on the du…

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This vehicle was sold to me with the recall not fixed and not disclosed to me. They also did not disclose that this vehicle is a salvage. (They being a dealership). It was sold at salvage/insurance auction with 14, 170 miles. It was then sold at a dealer auction with 14, 171 miles. When it was sold to me the mileage on the duplicate title I was given showed actual mileage of 14,171. The odometer disclosure statement I received indicates mileage of 14, 172. Upon purchasing the vehicle which is financed through Chrysler Capital, I noticed the car while driving on the freeway at 70 mph would pull to the right. Without the multiple details this is a quick summary. This vehicle needs to be off the road and not sold again. I have documentation of all this and more.

NHTSA ODI #11431826

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

SINCE JANUARY 2021, THE SCREEN WITH THE REAR CAMERA GO TO BLACK, MANY TIMES AND YOU ONLY CAN SEE THE RED AND YELLOW LINES, SO AND OTHER WORDS WHEN ACTIVATE REVERSE THE SCREEN IS BLACK YOU CAN SEE NOTHING. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11414763

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE RUBBER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM END TO END IS NOT SECURE PROPERLY. I BOUGHT IT 2/8/2021. MY FIRST TIME WASHING IT WAS 4/12/2021 WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE RUBBER IS LOOSE

NHTSA ODI #11408233

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or OtherCrash

THEY WERE TOWING MY CAR, AND THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS ONE PLACE TO GRAB IT, WHEN THE TOWING SERVICE WAS GOING TO RELEASE MY CAR THIS PLACE TO GRAB IT BROKE AND RELEASED, AND EJECTED THE CAR, IF NOT FOR THE HANDBRAKE IT HAD HAPPENED A FATAL ACCIDENT, A CAR FROM 2018 THAT HAS THESE FAULTS, I DON'T THINK SO, NOW THEY MUST PAY FOR THE…

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THEY WERE TOWING MY CAR, AND THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS ONE PLACE TO GRAB IT, WHEN THE TOWING SERVICE WAS GOING TO RELEASE MY CAR THIS PLACE TO GRAB IT BROKE AND RELEASED, AND EJECTED THE CAR, IF NOT FOR THE HANDBRAKE IT HAD HAPPENED A FATAL ACCIDENT, A CAR FROM 2018 THAT HAS THESE FAULTS, I DON'T THINK SO, NOW THEY MUST PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE 2 VEHICLES, WHICH IS NOT WHAT IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THIS IS A FACTORY DAMAGE I'M SURE, I HAVE VIDEOS, PHOTOS, EVERYTHING, THIS WAS IN COLORADO AND IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER, IT COULD HAPPEN IN ANOTHER PLACE AND IT COULD ATTEMPT WITH SOMEONE'S LIFE

NHTSA ODI #11406169

4,000 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other

WEAK WINDSHIELD CRACKED LIKE EVERY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS I KNOW OF THIS GENERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11386846

20,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN I SET DOWN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AFTER CLEANING IT. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ODI #11376483

18,500 miles · Sep 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other

YESTERDAY WHEN I LEFT WORK THERE WAS A LONG CRACK STARTING FROM THE TOP AND MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, DOWN ABOUT 8 INCHES BEFORE IT TAKES A LARGE C SHAPED TURN ~24INCHES TOTAL. NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF IMPACT, NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING OR HEAR ANYTHING WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY WORK. THIS WAS NOT THERE WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND I PARK…

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YESTERDAY WHEN I LEFT WORK THERE WAS A LONG CRACK STARTING FROM THE TOP AND MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, DOWN ABOUT 8 INCHES BEFORE IT TAKES A LARGE C SHAPED TURN ~24INCHES TOTAL. NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF IMPACT, NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING OR HEAR ANYTHING WHILE I WAS DRIVING YESTERDAY WORK. THIS WAS NOT THERE WHEN I GOT TO WORK AND I PARK IN A PARKING LOT THAT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TRAFFIC SO NOBODY WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO DAMAGE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11360640

12,000 miles · Apr 2, 2020
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

SINCE THE END OF 2018, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE LEASE, I STARTED TO HEAR NOISES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THEY SOUNDED LIKE CREAKY NOISES YOU'D HEAR FROM A CAR THAT WAS 10+ YEARS OLD. AT FIRST, JIM BURKE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID NOT HEAR THE SOUND, THEN AFTER ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS WENT BY I DECIDED …

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SINCE THE END OF 2018, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER ACQUIRING THE VEHICLE LEASE, I STARTED TO HEAR NOISES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THEY SOUNDED LIKE CREAKY NOISES YOU'D HEAR FROM A CAR THAT WAS 10+ YEARS OLD. AT FIRST, JIM BURKE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DID NOT HEAR THE SOUND, THEN AFTER ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS WENT BY I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR IN AGAIN. IT WAS SO LOUD AT THAT POINT THAT THEY KEPT MY CAR TO WORK ON IT. OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR ABOUT 5+ TIMES, REPLACED THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM, REPLACED THE BALL JOINTS AND NOW HAVE LABELED IT AS A "SPOT WELD" ISSUE THAT MUST HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WAS MADE IN THE FACTORY. THIS SOUND OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AROUND TOWN BUT NOT OVER 45 MPH. IT IS MAINLY ON THE PASSANGERS SIDE BUT I HAVE HEARD IT PREVIOUSLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. SUBARU CORPORATE HAS OFFERED ME EITHER A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE CAR IF I CHOOSE TO KEEP IT OR A VOUCHER FOR $2,500 IF I WANTED TO TRADE IN THE CAR AT THE END OF MY LEASE. IN DECEMBER OF 2019 I AGREED TO THIS BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER A MONTHS TIME OF WORKING ON THE CAR THEY STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I THEN CONTACTED SUBARU CORPORATE AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY ARE "NOT OBLIGATED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE, ONLY REPAIR THE ISSUE". THE AMOUNT OF HOURS I HAVE SPENT TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NOW FEELING UNSURE OF THE STRENGTH OF THE BODY OF THE CAR OR THE INTEGRITY OF THE MANUFACTURED VEHICLE I AM STUCK WITH A $256 LEASE PAYMENT EVERY MONTH UNTIL SUMMER OF 2021. I AM PAYING FOR THE SAME AMOUNT SOMEONE ELSE IS PAYING FOR A NICE, WELL FUNCTIONING CAR. AT WHAT POINT IS SUBARU RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE VEHICLE? ALL REPAIRS AND DOCUMENTATION OF THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED THROUGH JIM BURKE SUBARU. I CAN PROVIDE DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS WOULD SUPPORT ANY REASON FOR INVESTIGATION.

NHTSA ODI #11320061

32,000 miles · Mar 23, 2020
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE GLASS CRACKED SEEMINGLY FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI #11319030

Official recalls

5

22V624000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 12, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.

21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

21V264000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Apr 15, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Electrical System:software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm):software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Electrical System:ignition

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

19V743000 · Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:software

Oct 18, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Electrical System:ignition

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Oct 17, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

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.