2010 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Subaru Impreza has a Complaint Index of 25 with 46 complaints and 15 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict that is capped due to the high recall count. Engine problems are the top complaint area, at 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 69,500.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 46
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2010 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (33%)
- Other9 (20%)
- Brakes7 (15%)
- Airbags6 (13%)
- Fuel System6 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (13%)
- Electrical System5 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (11%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine failures reported include sudden loud bangs or explosions from the engine bay followed by smoke, loss of power, or unexpected acceleration.
- Some owners describe engine piston ring failures accompanied by white smoke from the tailpipe and hesitation at very low mileage.
- One owner reported complete loss of oil pressure leading to engine failure.
- Rear brake pads and rotors reportedly wore down to metal-on-metal contact prematurely, requiring dealer replacement.
- The front passenger airbag off indicator reportedly illuminated regardless of occupant weight, triggered at low speed.
- Owners describe a clutch pedal bracket working loose from cracked firewall spot welds, making the pedal creak and eventually the vehicle undrivable.
2010 Subaru Impreza recalls
15 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2010 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 25 for the 2010 Impreza, ranking 16th among 21 model years with data. Its verdict is Caution, capped from a lower rating because of 15 recall campaigns.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, making up 33% of complaints (15 of 46), with crashes, a fire, and a median failure mileage of 69,500.
- Does the 2010 Subaru Impreza have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2010 Impreza, including several airbag inflator replacement recalls and an electrical system recall for the ignition switch and brake light switch.
- How does the 2010 Impreza compare to other Impreza years?
- With a Complaint Index of 25, the 2010 model is less complaint-heavy than years like 2019 (index 100) or 2013 (index 90), but its 15 recalls capped its verdict at Caution rather than a better rating.