Subaru Impreza Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Subaru Impreza years to avoid are 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 75-100 and heavy recall counts. 2022 and 2025 rate Best, with complaint indexes of 10 and 5. No single defect dominates; airbags, electrical systems, and engine issues top complaints across the model.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Best 2022Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,956
- Recall campaigns
- 45
- Crashes reported
- 117
- Fires reported
- 35
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Impreza Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru Impreza problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 30 | 75 | 10 | 1 | 6 | Fuel System | 20 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 15 | 56 | 3 | 0 | 10 | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 35 | 68 | 6 | 2 | 9 | Airbags | 21 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 85 | 176 | 9 | 4 | 14 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 55 | 103 | 2 | 3 | 14 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 25 | 46 | 3 | 1 | 15 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 40 | 57 | 5 | 2 | 14 | Airbags | 21.5 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 95 | 243 | 10 | 4 | 6 | Airbags | 24 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 90 | 249 | 13 | 7 | 4 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 60 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 45 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 125 | 10 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 75 | 151 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 194 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 70 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 28 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 20 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 ! | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 30 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 10 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 30 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 65 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | 5★ |
Impreza years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Subaru Impreza Index 100 · 194 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 Impreza has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, ranking 1st worst, with 194 complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 42%, median mileage 21,000, followed by visibility and wiper complaints at 31%, median mileage 10,300 — notably early failures. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, including the headlamp reflector issue, the fuel pump recall, and the ECM ignition coil recall shared with the 2017-2018 models.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 visibility & wipers problems →
2012 Subaru Impreza Index 95 · 243 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Impreza has a complaint index of 95 and 243 complaints, ranking 2nd worst overall. Airbags dominate at 43% of complaints, with owners reporting non-deployment in crashes at a median 36,750 miles. Engine complaints follow at 27%, median 40,421 miles, and electrical system issues make up 14%. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, covering brake light switches, engine valve springs, and a secondary air injection pump relay on turbocharged engines.
2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →
2013 Subaru Impreza Index 90 · 249 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2013 Impreza has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst, with 249 complaints. Engine problems lead at 35% of complaints, median 65,000 miles, followed by airbags at 32%, median 57,000 miles. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and sudden unexpected movement complaints tied to the engine. Electrical system issues account for 15%. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, including the same valve spring and brake light switch recalls affecting nearby years.
2013 engine problems →2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2008 Subaru Impreza Index 85 · 176 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2008 Impreza carries a complaint index of 85 and 176 complaints, ranked 4th worst of 21 model years. Transmission and powertrain issues make up 34% of complaints, with owners reporting failures around a median 69,000 miles. Airbag complaints account for 21% of the total, with a median mileage of just 750, suggesting early failures. Engine problems add another 19%. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for this year, including airbag inflator recalls covering multiple Subaru and Saab models.
2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 engine problems →
2017 Subaru Impreza Index 80 · 125 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2017 Impreza has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst, with 125 complaints. Electrical system problems dominate at 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 15,200. Owners describe headlight and ignition coil issues; visibility and wiper complaints add 20%. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns, including headlamp assemblies that fail to meet lighting standards and an Engine Control Module issue that could keep the ignition coil powered after shutoff.
2017 electrical system problems →2017 visibility & wipers problems →2017 engine problems →
2018 Subaru Impreza Index 75 · 151 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 Impreza has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst, with 151 complaints. Electrical system problems make up 49% of complaints, median mileage 14,444, including headlight and airbag sensor issues owners tie to electrical faults. Visibility and wiper complaints add 26%. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns, covering the same headlamp assembly issue, a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail, and the ECM ignition coil problem shared with the 2017 and 2019 models.
2018 electrical system problems →2018 visibility & wipers problems →
Most common Subaru Impreza problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System393 (20%)
- Airbags390 (20%)
- Engine378 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers260 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain224 (11%)
- Other219 (11%)
- Brakes169 (9%)
- Structure & Body143 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires108 (6%)
- Fuel System85 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Impreza. These years carry complaint indexes between 75 and 100, the highest of the 21 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Subaru Impreza?
- The 2022 and 2025 Impreza rate Best, with complaint indexes of 10 and 5, the lowest in the lineup. The 2005 and 2015 model years rate Good.
- Why is the 2019 Impreza rated worst?
- The 2019 Impreza has the highest complaint index of all years at 100, with 194 complaints. Electrical system problems make up 42% of those complaints, with a median failure mileage of 21,000.
- Does the Subaru Impreza have recall problems?
- Yes. Across 21 model years, NHTSA lists 45 recall campaigns for the Impreza, with some years like 2010 (15 recalls) and 2008 (14 recalls) capped to Caution or worse verdicts because of the number of campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- Is the 2017 or 2018 Impreza reliable?
- Both are rated Avoid relative to other Impreza years. The 2017 has a complaint index of 80 and the 2018 has 75, with electrical system issues making up 41% and 49% of their complaints respectively.