2012 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Impreza years
The 2012 Subaru Impreza ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 243 NHTSA complaints, mostly airbags (43%) and engine (27%). Six recalls apply, including an airbag Occupant Control Unit replacement. It is rated Avoid relative to other Impreza years.
- Complaints
- 243
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2012 Subaru Impreza problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Frontal airbags fail to deploy in low- to moderate-speed crashes, including t-bone and rear-end collisions around 25-35 mph.
- Vehicles reportedly accelerate on their own at low speed while parking, striking walls or structures without driver input.
- Brake pedal application reportedly fails to stop the vehicle in time, leading to collisions at low speeds.
- Electrical switches, such as the HVAC control, reportedly burn out and stop functioning.
- Owners report the car surging forward unexpectedly and crashing into stationary objects like houses or parked vehicles.
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 reliable?
- Compared with other Impreza model years, the 2012 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 93 and 243 NHTSA complaints. Its verdict is Avoid relative to other Impreza years.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
- NHTSA complaints show Airbags as the top problem area at 43% of complaints, followed by Engine at 27% and Electrical System at 14%. Airbag-related complaints involved 7 crashes.
- Does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Impreza, covering airbags, engine valve springs, brakes, electrical components, and remote engine starter key fobs. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
- EPA rates the 2012 Impreza at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.
- How does the 2012 Impreza compare to the 2013 Impreza?
- The 2013 Impreza has a higher Complaint Index of 100 with 249 complaints, versus 93 and 243 complaints for 2012. Both years carry an Avoid verdict relative to other Impreza years.