2012 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Subaru Impreza has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Airbags are the top problem area, with 105 complaints (43% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 36,750, plus six recalls including an airbag occupant control unit replacement.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 243
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2012 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags105 (43%)
- Engine66 (27%)
- Electrical System33 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (11%)
- Structure & Body22 (9%)
- Brakes16 (7%)
- Other14 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (5%)
- Steering10 (4%)
- Fuel System7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Frontal airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, sometimes even when the vehicle is struck directly.
- Owners report airbag wiring problems discovered only after a crash where bags did not fire.
- Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle at low speed, leading to collisions where airbags also do not deploy.
- Some drivers describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking, with the engine revving high before impact.
- Electrical failures include a burned switch that knocked out the air conditioner and heater.
- Structural complaints describe the car surging forward unexpectedly and crashing into fixed objects.
2012 Subaru Impreza recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
- NHTSA 18V772000Nov 1, 2018Engine165,534 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
- NHTSA 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Electrical System100,127 vehicles
Electrical system
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
2012 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2012 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza a good year to buy?
- No. It carries an Avoid verdict, ranking 2nd worst out of 21 model years for this model based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 105 of 243 complaints (43%), with a median failure mileage of 36,750 and 7 related crashes.
- Does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Impreza, covering airbag occupant control units, engine valve springs, brake master cylinders, electrical components, and remote start key fobs. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Impreza compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 95 is close to the highest in the lineup (2019 at 100) and well above years like 2022 and 2025, which rate as Best with index scores of 10 and 5.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
- EPA rates it at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.