Far fewer Too few recent reports to judgeNHTSA has received 151 owner complaints about the 2018 Subaru Impreza, or 17.2 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.43, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #31 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 53% lower; against other Compact cars it is 22% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2018-01-15 and 2026-09-19. Median delay from incident to filing: 15 days.
151Complaints
17.2Complaints per year on the road
0.43Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
4.0%Share involving a crash or fire
7Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 24.9 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 16 complaints, 81% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Lighting (39.1% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (29.1%) and Unspecified or other (10.6%). Lighting complaints are 25.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 6 reports (4.0%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 55 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (40% of incidents). 7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year.
Safety recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Campaign 22V624000 · 2022-08-12
Summary: 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."
Risk: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Campaign 21V587000 · 2021-07-29
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE Campaign 21V264000 · 2021-04-15
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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:SOFTWARE Campaign 19V743000 · 2019-10-18
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) Campaign 19V744000 · 2019-10-17
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
How to check whether your car has an open recall ›
