2013 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 Impreza years
The 2013 Subaru Impreza ranks worst of 16 model years, with 249 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup. Engine problems (35% of complaints) and airbag non-deployment (32%) are the top concerns, backed by 4 recalls.
- Complaints
- 249
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2013 Subaru Impreza problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine86 (35%)
- Airbags79 (32%)
- Electrical System38 (15%)
- Brakes27 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (9%)
- Other22 (9%)
- Structure & Body15 (6%)
- Steering14 (6%)
- Seat Belts6 (2%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners describe unintended acceleration or surging while braking, sometimes at low speed in reverse, leading to collisions with fixed objects.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in side-impact and frontal crashes, including at highway speeds around 60 to 65 mph.
- Brake pedal reportedly did not stop the vehicle promptly during hard braking or panic stops, resulting in rear-end or forward collisions.
- A brake sensor switch reportedly failed, disabling ABS, hill assist, and skid control, then locking the transmission in park.
- One owner reported an engine fire at a stoplight shortly after a factory recall repair for valve springs and brake lamp switch was completed.
- A transmission and clutch issue was reported that required replacement of the throttle bearing and eventually the whole transmission.
2013 Subaru Impreza recalls
4 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.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Impreza has the highest complaint index (100) of the 16 model years tracked, ranking it worst overall with an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
- Engine issues make up 35% of complaints (86 total) and airbag problems make up 32% (79 total), followed by electrical system issues at 15%.
- Does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Impreza, covering the brake light switch, engine valve springs, secondary air injection pump relay, and remote engine starter key fobs.
- How does the 2013 Impreza compare to other Impreza model years?
- The 2013 Impreza has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2012 (93), 2018 (80), and 2019 (87), making it the worst-ranked year, while 2021 and 2022 score much lower at 20 and 7.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
- EPA rates the 2013 Impreza at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100.