Subaru Impreza Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2019 Subaru Impreza, which carry the highest complaint indexes (93, 100, 80, and 87) among 16 model years covered. The 2021, 2022, and 2025 Impreza rank as the best years, each with a low complaint index (20, 7, and 13).
Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Best 2021Best 2022Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,478
- Recall campaigns
- 36
- Crashes reported
- 87
- Fires reported
- 25
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Good | 27 | 46 | 3 | 1 | 15 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 33 | 57 | 5 | 2 | 14 | Airbags | 21.5 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 243 | 10 | 4 | 6 | Airbags | 24 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 249 | 13 | 7 | 4 | Engine | 24 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 60 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 24 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 47 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 67 | 125 | 10 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 80 | 151 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 87 | 194 | 6 | 1 | 5 | Electrical System | 28.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 28 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 20 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 ! | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 30 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 7 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | 5★ |
| 2023 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 30 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 73 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 29.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | 5★ |
Impreza years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Subaru Impreza Index 100 · 249 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2013 Impreza has the highest complaint index of any year in this dataset, at 100. Engine problems lead at 35% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 65,000, followed by airbags at 32% (median mileage 57,000). Owners describe engines behaving unexpectedly and airbags not deploying during collisions. This year has 4 recall campaigns, including engine valve spring and electrical system brake light switch recalls.
2013 engine problems →2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →
2012 Subaru Impreza Index 93 · 243 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2012 Impreza has a complaint index of 93, the second-highest of all years covered. Airbags are the top problem area, making up 43% of complaints for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 36,750 miles; owners report airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Engine complaints follow at 27% (median mileage 40,421.5). The year carries 6 recall campaigns, including ones covering the electrical system, engine valve springs, and secondary air injection pump relay.
2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →
2019 Subaru Impreza Index 87 · 194 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 Impreza has a complaint index of 87. Electrical system problems lead at 42% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 21,000 miles, followed by visibility and wiper issues at 31% (median mileage 10,300). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and one reported engine fire. This year shares 5 recall campaigns with 2018, covering headlamp reflectors, fuel pumps, and the engine control module/ignition coil issue.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 visibility & wipers problems →
2018 Subaru Impreza Index 80 · 151 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 Impreza has a complaint index of 80. Electrical system issues dominate, accounting for 49% of complaints with a median mileage at failure of 14,444 miles. Visibility and wiper problems make up another 26% (median mileage 25,250). Owners report headlight and airbag-related electrical failures. This year has 5 recall campaigns, including a headlamp reflector recall, a fuel pump recall, and an engine control module recall tied to ignition coil issues after shutoff.
2018 electrical system problems →2018 visibility & wipers problems →
Most common Subaru Impreza problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System361 (24%)
- Airbags282 (19%)
- Engine278 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers227 (15%)
- Other194 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain115 (8%)
- Brakes108 (7%)
- Structure & Body84 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires66 (4%)
- Steering59 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
- The 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2019 Impreza are flagged as Avoid, with complaint indexes of 93, 100, 80, and 87 respectively, the highest among the 16 model years covered by NHTSA data.
- What is the best year for the Subaru Impreza?
- The 2021, 2022, and 2025 Impreza rank as Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 7, and 13, the lowest in the dataset.
- What is the biggest problem area for the Subaru Impreza overall?
- Across all years, the Electrical System is the top problem area with 361 complaints (24% of the total), followed by Airbags (282 complaints, 19%) and Engine (278 complaints, 19%).
- Does the 2012 or 2013 Impreza have airbag problems?
- Yes. Airbags make up 43% of complaints for the 2012 Impreza and 32% for the 2013 Impreza, with owners reporting airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
- How many recalls has the Subaru Impreza had overall?
- Across the 2010-2025 model years covered, NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns for the Subaru Impreza.