NHTSA has received 194 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Impreza, or 25.3 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.60, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #34 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 36% lower; against other Compact cars it is 10% higher.
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 2019-01-05 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
194Complaints
25.3Complaints per year on the road
0.6Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls
3.6%Share involving a crash or fire
9Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 17.2 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 12.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 38 complaints, 53% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Lighting (32.0% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (30.4%) and Electrical (8.8%). Lighting complaints are 20.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Lighting reports, owners most often mention “notification exterior”, “lighting recall”, “exterior lighting”, “confirms available” and “tool confirms”. 7 reports (3.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 41 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (37% of incidents). In the last 12 months 9 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 42% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.6
vs. other Subaru models0.64
vs. other 2019 models0.55
vs. other Compact cars1.1
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (38)0.47
In the middle of the night I attempted to make a left turn into a parking lot (with headlights on). I was unable to see the ground in the front/left portion of my car.
Lighting · 2023-10-14 · ODI 11549944 · Crash
While slowly pulling into a parking slot in a Wal-Mart parking lot, the car experienced an abrupt acceleration causing it to lurch forward at full throttle and it struck a parked vehicle in the next space. The accelerator pedal was not depressed.
Other · 2023-02-08 · ODI 11506328 · Crash
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.
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761222
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.
Brakes · 2026-08-04 · ODI 11754703
The cowl is the newest cowl on my 2019 subaru impreza and it still bowed like the original. Mine wasn't on the original recall and it bowed.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-25 · ODI 11752823
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
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.
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.
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Risk: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Subaru Impreza?
194 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Impreza, or about 25.3 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Subaru Impreza?
The most common category is Lighting, accounting for 32.0% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Subaru Impreza still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 9 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
How does the 2019 Subaru Impreza compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 194 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Impreza, or 25.3 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.60, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #34 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 36% lower; against other Compact cars it is 10% higher.