YearToAvoid

2022 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2022 Subaru Impreza ranks 19th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 10, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 13 complaints, 1 recall, and 2 fire reports, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 31% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Impreza years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
13
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2025
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 35 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2022 Subaru Impreza problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain4 (31%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers3 (23%)
  3. Brakes2 (15%)
  4. Electrical System2 (15%)
  5. Other2 (15%)
  6. Steering2 (15%)
  7. Engine1 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (8%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report windshields cracking spontaneously in a clean arch without any impact, sometimes spreading afterward.
  • Owners describe the transmission suddenly failing to engage at a stoplight or locking up at highway speed, in one case with a burning smell.
  • One owner reported the steering feeling disconnected or overly sensitive, described by a dealer test drive as the car 'wandering'.
  • A tire reportedly burst and shredded apart at highway speed despite a recent inspection showing no problems.
  • One owner reported the car catching fire, attributed by a fire department inspector to a defective battery.
  • An owner found ballooning in both rear brake lines during routine pad and rotor service, raising concern about possible rupture.
2022 Subaru Impreza complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2021May 2022Jan 2023Dec 2024Jun 2025Mar 2026
13 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2025 (2).

2022 Subaru Impreza recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V712000Sep 22, 2022Visibility & Wipers42 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

    Risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.

2022 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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.

2022 compared with other Impreza years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Caution7085128
2021Caution20142 !30
2022Best1013130
2023No verdict04230
2024Caution6532229.5

All Subaru Impreza years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, yes relative to other Impreza years. It has a complaint index of 10, the second-lowest of 21 model years, and carries a Best verdict.
Does the 2022 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2022 Impreza, covering incorrect paint clearcoat that can leave the windshield insufficiently bonded. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Subaru Impreza?
Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, making up 31% of the 13 NHTSA complaints, followed by Visibility & Wipers issues at 23%.
How does the 2022 Impreza compare to other model years?
The 2022 Impreza ranks 19th worst out of 21 years, well below higher-complaint years like 2019 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 95).
Did any 2022 Impreza owners report fires?
NHTSA lists 2 fire reports for the 2022 Impreza, including one where the vehicle was declared a total loss after a reported battery defect.

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.