YearToAvoid

2015 Subaru Impreza Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2015 Subaru Impreza, 21% of the 77 total complaints filed for that model year. Three of these complaints involved crashes and none involved fires or injuries. The median mileage at failure was 57,000 miles, and no recalls are tied to this engine issue set.

Engine complaints
16
21% of 77
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
57,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Some owners describe unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up on its own and did not respond to the brake pedal, in some cases ending in a crash.
  • Others report a noticeable lag of several seconds between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle actually responding.
  • A few owners describe the engine stalling briefly while stationary or turning, such as when idling before a left turn.
  • Some describe the CVT shift mechanism intermittently causing the ignition key to become locked in the switch when the car is in park, tied to a specific plate guide part.
  • Several owners report an oil leak from the cam carrier (valve) cover that dripped onto the exhaust manifold and oxygen sensor, producing smoke that entered the cabin.
  • One complaint describes a faulty oil valve that tripped the check engine light and may have allowed sludge into the engine at a relatively low mileage.

When 2015 Subaru Impreza engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 24, 2015, latest Jun 4, 2024.

2015 Subaru Impreza engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2015Sep 2016Nov 2018Nov 2019Jan 2021Sep 2021Aug 2022Jun 2024
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2015 to Jun 2024; peak Mar 2021 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2015 Subaru Impreza

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Impreza model year

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

  1. 201015 (33%)
  2. 20118 (14%)
  3. 201266 (27%)
  4. 201386 (35%)
  5. 201427 (25%)
  6. 201516 (21%)
  7. 201611 (15%)
  8. 201716 (13%)
  9. 201812 (8%)
  10. 201911 (6%)
  11. 20203 (4%)
  12. 20212 (14%)
  13. 20221 (8%)
  14. 20231 (25%)
  15. 20242 (6%)
  16. 20251 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2015 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 16 engine-related complaints for the 2015 Impreza, which is 21% of the 77 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Subaru Impreza engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area on the 2015 Impreza.
At what mileage do these engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints for the 2015 Impreza is 57,000 miles.
Are the 2015 Impreza engine complaints linked to crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 0 injuries tied to complaints in this engine complaint area, with no fires reported.
What kinds of engine issues do owners report on the 2015 Impreza?
Owners describe unintended acceleration, hesitation or lag on acceleration, brief stalling, an ignition-lock issue tied to the CVT shift mechanism, and oil leaks from the cam carrier cover.

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.