2013 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Subaru Impreza ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 249 complaints. Engine problems lead at 35% of complaints, followed by airbags at 32%, and the year carries 4 recalls including one for engine valve springs.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 249
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2013 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly while braking or shifting into reverse, leading to crashes.
- Side and frontal airbags failed to deploy in multiple reported crashes, including a highway collision at 60 to 65 mph.
- Owners describe brake pedal application not stopping the car as expected, sometimes rear-ending another vehicle.
- A brake sensor switch reportedly failed and disabled ABS, hill assist, and skid control at the same time.
- One owner reported an engine fire while driving shortly after the valve spring and brake lamp recall repair was completed.
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?
- Compared to other Impreza model years, the 2013 ranks poorly. NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 90, the third worst of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
- Engine issues make up 35% of complaints and airbag issues make up 32%, based on NHTSA data. Electrical system problems account for 15%.
- Does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 Impreza, covering the engine valve springs, secondary air injection pump relay, brake light switch, and remote engine starter key fobs.
- At what mileage do 2013 Impreza engine problems occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 65,000 miles for engine-related failures in the 2013 Impreza.
- How does the 2013 Impreza compare to the 2012 and 2014 Impreza?
- The 2012 Impreza has a slightly higher complaint index of 95 and is also rated Avoid, while the 2014 Impreza has a lower complaint index of 60 and is rated Caution.