Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 494 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls for the Subaru Impreza. That averages 9.5 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.23 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #3 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 494 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls for the Subaru Impreza, averaging 9.5 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.23 against all tracked vehicles. While the 2019 model year shows the highest rate with 25.3 complaints per year and the 2024 model generated the most recent reports totaling 15, later years like 2022 and 2024 run significantly below earlier models. The most common problem area is Body & structure at 34.4% of complaints, followed by Lighting at 25.1%, with recurring terms including "windshield", "notification exterior", "lighting recall", "exterior lighting" and "crack". Owners report 11 injuries and 1 death across all model years, while half of all reported incidents occur within 35 months of the model year's start.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2022 and 2024 models run 46% below the 2018 and 2019 models (12 early complaints per model year versus 27).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (25.3 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (1.1). Model years 2018 and 2019 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2021, 2022 and 2023 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (34.4% of complaints), followed by Lighting (25.1%) and Interior & equipment (10.1%). Body & structure complaints are 3.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “notification exterior”, “lighting recall”, “exterior lighting” and “crack”. 24 complaints (4.9%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 11 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 42 complaints versus 37 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2024 model year generated the most recent reports (15). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 35 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (4), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda Mazda3 and Toyota Prius; Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 149 | 17.2 | 0.41 | 16 | 0.18 | 5 | 5 | Lighting | View › |
| 2019 Years to research carefully | 194 | 25.3 | 0.6 | 38 | 0.47 | 9 | 5 | Lighting | View › |
| 2020 | 85 | 12.7 | 0.3 | 52 | 0.91 | 5 | 1 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 14 | 2.5 | 0.06 | 11 | 0.18 | 0 | 2 ⚠ | Driver-assist systems | View › |
| 2022 | 12 | 2.6 | 0.06 | 6 | 0.08 | 2 | 1 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 4 | 1.1 | 0.03 | 2 | 0.02 | 2 | 2 | Wheels, tires & suspension | View › |
| 2024 | 31 | 11.6 | 0.28 | 19 | 0.27 | 15 | 2 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2025 | 5 | 3.0 | 0.07 | — | — | 4 | 0 | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 42 · Previous 12 months: 37 Steady
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
170 · 34.4% · 3.75 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- windshield153
- crack95
- bottom23
- spontaneously20
Lighting ›
124 · 25.1% · 16.06 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- notification exterior73
- lighting recall70
- exterior lighting74
- confirms available73
Interior & equipment ›
50 · 10.1% · 1.13 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- windshield29
- cracked17
- glass10
- small rock5
Electrical
34 · 6.9% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- battery15
- batteries4
- parasitic3
- dying3
Engine
30 · 6.1% · 0.27 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- engine19
- hood5
- damage5
- hot3
Brakes
22 · 4.5% · 0.73 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- caliper6
- brake15
- rotors6
- pads5
Wheels, tires & suspension
15 · 3.0% · 1.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire13
- yokohama3
- rim4
- dot4
Steering
15 · 3.0% · 0.47 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering9
- strut3
- alignment4
- feel5
Transmission / powertrain
12 · 2.4% · 0.21 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- wear4
- transmission6
- seems4
- aware3
Airbags & seat belts
10 · 2.0% · 0.53 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- airbag5
- accident7
- deploy4
- impact4
Driver-assist systems
8 · 1.6% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- windshield3
- front3
Fuel system
3 · 0.6% · 0.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
1 · 0.2% · 0.11 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- windshield188
- notification exterior73
- lighting recall70
- exterior lighting74
- crack114
- confirms available73
- tool confirms73
- exceeded reasonable75
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 35 months
What owners report
The contact owned a 2024 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended.
The electrical system failed and battery then exploded. The vehicle is behind held at a tow yard and has been inspected by allied insurance CPI of tower federal credit union. It is available to be inspected for the time being but will be scrapped soon.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was jerking, shaking, and failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The failure nearly caused a crash.
On three separate occasions between August 2025 and June 2026, my car engine revved continuously and noisily, and acceleration was sluggish at best.
Front right caliper seized less than 3k miles following dealer service including brake fluid flush. Replaced calipers, pads, and rotors at my own expense. Suspect internal degradation of rubber brake lines. Service bulletin exists for year prior model.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact cars
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda Mazda3 | 318 | 6.6 | 0.16 | Improving | Falling | 15 | Electrical |
| 2 | Toyota Prius | 250 | 7.0 | 0.17 | Stable | Rising | 11 | Electrical |
| 3 | Subaru Impreza | 494 | 9.5 | 0.23 | Improving | Steady | 13 | Body & structure |
| 4 | Kia Forte | 534 | 12.7 | 0.3 | Improving | Rising | 10 | Engine |
| 5 | Volkswagen Jetta | 843 | 18.0 | 0.43 | Improving | Steady | 22 | Engine |
| 6 | Nissan Sentra | 904 | 19.5 | 0.46 | Improving | Steady | 14 | Electrical |
| 7 | Toyota Corolla | 1,128 | 27.0 | 0.64 | Stable | Steady | 15 | Engine |
| 8 | Hyundai Elantra | 1,404 | 32.0 | 0.76 | Worsening | Steady | 19 | Engine |
| 9 | Honda Civic | 2,937 | 73.3 | 1.74 | Worsening | Falling | 14 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 13
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 1
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (5) · 2019 (5) · 2020 (1) · 2021 (2) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (2) · 2025 (0)
Investigations
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Impreza model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (25.3 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (1.1).
Is the Subaru Impreza getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2022 and 2024 models run 46% below the 2018 and 2019 models (12 early complaints per model year versus 27). In the last 12 months owners filed 42 complaints versus 37 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Subaru Impreza problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (34.4% of complaints), followed by Lighting (25.1%) and Interior & equipment (10.1%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “notification exterior”, “lighting recall”, “exterior lighting” and “crack”.
How does the Subaru Impreza compare with other Compact cars?
Within the Compact cars segment it ranks #3 of 9 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 23.0. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda Mazda3 and Toyota Prius; Kia Forte, Volkswagen Jetta, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla have more.
Does the Subaru Impreza have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (4), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. No NHTSA defect investigation covers the tracked model years.