2015 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2015 Subaru Impreza has 77 complaints, a complaint index of 45, and ranks 12th of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Impreza years. Electrical issues lead at 27% of complaints, with 2 recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 77
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2015 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System21 (27%)
- Engine16 (21%)
- Other14 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (14%)
- Airbags7 (9%)
- Steering6 (8%)
- Structure & Body5 (6%)
- Brakes4 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Drivers report acceleration lag of two to twenty seconds after pressing the pedal, sometimes right after a cold start.
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up instead of stopping after the brake pedal was applied.
- The EyeSight system reportedly triggered unexpected automatic braking when a lead vehicle turned off the driver's path, leading to a rear-end collision.
- Owners report the passenger air bag off light illuminating even with a passenger seated, tied to a passenger presence sensor malfunction that recurred after dealer repair.
- A transmission warning light came on at highway speed indicating the car had dropped out of sixth gear, later diagnosed as a clutch needing replacement.
- One owner reported the hood flying open unexpectedly while driving, later found to not be latched properly.
2015 Subaru Impreza recalls
2 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 15V366000Jun 12, 2015Collision Avoidance & Cameras71,710 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
Risk: If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
2015 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,225
- 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.
2015 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- Compared with other Impreza model years, the 2015 rates Good, with 77 complaints and a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th out of 21 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Impreza?
- Electrical system issues account for 27% of complaints (21 of 77), followed by engine problems at 21% and transmission/powertrain issues at 14%.
- Does the 2015 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2015 Impreza: one for a brake light switch electrical issue and one for reprogramming the driver assist (EyeSight) system.
- At what mileage do 2015 Impreza problems tend to show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: electrical issues at 38,000 miles, engine issues at 57,000 miles, and transmission issues at 47,000 miles, with an overall median of 36,000 miles.
- How does the 2015 Impreza compare to the worst Impreza years?
- The 2015 model's complaint index of 45 is well below the worst years, 2012, 2013, and 2019, which each carry an Avoid verdict with complaint indexes of 95, 90, and 100.