2013 Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (56) · Air Bags (49) · Electrical System (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Impreza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
154 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2018-11-01 · campaign 18V772000 · 165,534 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System 2016-10-13 · campaign 16V738000 · 100,127 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2013-02-25 · campaign 13V061000 · 47,419 vehicles
Defect: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 201
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Service bulletins (509)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a design change made to the cvt control valve body. the updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 509 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Electrical System“there is a plug on wiring harness that fits into speed control for the environmental system. the control is part of this piece 72311fj050. the connection overheated and and burned the plug and the speed control switch the blower motor is now broken. in [xxx] a car without defrosters is mostly useless. i had 2 different mechanics at 2 different repa…”
2026-10-15 · Engine“i took my car to mccurley subaru on wed, [xxx] to have recalls repaired. they were unable to repair the recall due to rusted out brackets and bolts. mccurley contacted subaru of america and opened a case trying to seek an alternate remedy to this issue. subaru refused to offer alternate solutions so i am stuck driving an unsafe vehicle with a feder…”
2026-08-08 · Service Brakes“the brakes failed due to a leak in the brake lines (pedal to the floor). location of the leak is just after a union on the passenger side rear (just in front of the rear tire). location is not well protected from corrosion similar to other recalls for the wrx and sti version of the impreza. image shows the corroded area, and is taken after the p…”
2026-04-11 · Engine“subaru stutters stalls, torque converter malfunction…”
2025-11-27 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. no warning lights were on at the time. just passed inspection a month a month ago. …”
2025-10-14 · Steering“a crack appeared in the area noted as the electronic power steering (eps) gear box housing assembly. the dealership said it was in fact dangerous as it could affect the steering. my car has a distinct 'pull to the left' when the steering wheel is turned slightly left. the system is available for inspection upon request and i do have pictures of the…”
2025-09-08 · Steering“my steering is randomly lurching left. it has happened off and on intermittently since it started in early september 2025. it happens at various speeds, but currently only when turning the steering wheel slightly to the left.…”
2025-09-03 · Service Brakes · 🔥 fire“vehicle fire summary – arvada, co on [xxx] at approximately [xxx], the arvada fire department responded to a report of a vehicle fire on [xxx] . the vehicle involved was a 2013 gray subaru impreza wrx. the driver reported noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment before pulling over to the shoulder. within minutes, flames became visible. …”
2025-01-28 · Power Train · 156,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 subaru impreza. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 80 mph. in addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift as intended and sever…”
2025-01-06 · Power Train“last month, my 2013 subaru impreza sport with only 67k that i bought brand new had a blinking at (automatic transmission) oil temp light and three other lights were lit on the panel. i contacted groove subaru and they told me that i had a malfunctioning valve body and needs to be replaced. i was told that this is a common issue with subarus with cv…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.