YearToAvoid

2013 Subaru Impreza Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Subaru Impreza, 9% of the 249 total complaints filed for that year. Median mileage at failure is 94,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this component on this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
23
9% of 249
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
94,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the clutch popping loudly or failing outright, sometimes as early as low mileage, with dealers blaming driver error before replacing the clutch or entire transmission.
  • CVT-equipped cars reportedly buck, thump, or accelerate unevenly, an issue that in some cases stayed intermittent for years before becoming constant.
  • Several owners report the automatic or CVT transmission locking up or failing completely while driving at highway speed, including one case where the pedal became unresponsive at 65 mph.
  • A recurring complaint involves a whirring or grinding noise from the transmission with no warning light, later diagnosed by a dealer as needing a full transmission replacement.
  • Some owners report a check engine light tied to a transmission control valve body or solenoid fault, described as a known CVT issue that Subaru covered under an extended warranty in some cases.
  • One owner reports the transmission was replaced once under extended warranty, then seized again on the highway about a week later.

When 2013 Subaru Impreza transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 14, 2013, latest Jan 28, 2025.

2013 Subaru Impreza transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jun 2013Jul 2017Aug 2018Sep 2019Apr 2020Apr 2021Oct 2021Jan 2025
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2013 to Jan 2025; peak Jan 2025 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2013 Subaru Impreza

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Impreza model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20055 (7%)
  2. 20067 (13%)
  3. 20078 (12%)
  4. 200859 (34%)
  5. 200930 (29%)
  6. 20105 (11%)
  7. 20116 (11%)
  8. 201226 (11%)
  9. 201323 (9%)
  10. 20149 (8%)
  11. 201511 (14%)
  12. 201613 (17%)
  13. 20175 (4%)
  14. 20184 (3%)
  15. 20194 (2%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20211 (7%)
  18. 20224 (31%)
  19. 20230 (0%)
  20. 20242 (6%)
  21. 20252 (40%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Impreza, which is 9% of the 249 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
No related recalls are listed in this data for the Transmission & Powertrain component on the 2013 Impreza.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2013 Impreza?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2013 Impreza is 94,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
What kind of transmission problems do owners report on the 2013 Impreza?
Owners report clutch popping and failure, CVT bucking or lockup at highway speed, unusual whirring noises, and check engine lights tied to a transmission control valve body fault.
Did any 2013 Impreza transmission complaints involve a crash?
NHTSA records 1 crash and 0 fires among the 23 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2013 Impreza, with 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.