2018 Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (59) · Visibility/Wiper (34) · Engine (7)
🧭 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
51 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-12 · campaign 22V624000 · 188,397 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2021-07-29 · campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Electrical System:software 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Electrical System:software 2019-10-18 · campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V744000 · 205,000 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Service bulletins (528)
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.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 528 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-23 · Power Train“component & availability: the lineartronic continuously variable transmission (cvt) system suffered internal mechanical/hydraulic failure (tr580 unit). the vehicle and transmission assembly remain intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. safety risk: the transmission experienced erratic downshifting, slipping, and failure of pro…”
2026-09-19 · Visibility/Wiper“spontaneous crack in passenger side of windshield 5 times in a row!!…”
2026-09-13 · Steering“vehicle information: 2018 subaru imprezavin: [xxx] affected: steering (electronic power steering / eps gear box assembly)description of the safety defect:i am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 subaru impreza.the electronic power steering (eps) gear box assembly experien…”
2026-05-06 · Unknown Or Other“i bought a new subaru impreza and there is a cam carrier leak that was reported last time i took it for service at the dealership two weeks ago. there are only 41k miles on the car, and there were no warning lights/messages. upon my research, this is a common problem with subarus due to the sealant that they use with a very high cost to fix (i was …”
2026-02-19 · Engine · 106,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 subaru impreza. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed and needed to be redone. the vehicle was not repair…”
2026-01-18 · Unknown Or Other“the problem started on towards the end of dec 2025. the primary latch that holds the hood down failed, and the safety latch kept the hood from flying off. i pulled the car over and shut it, and it seemed okay. because the hood hadn't been lifted for a few days ( since its last service ), i was at a loss as to what could be causing it. since th…”
2025-11-18 · Unknown Or Other“my vehicle has repeatedly displayed a “low tire pressure” warning despite having been serviced twice for this issue. in addition, there is an open case with subaru of america regarding ongoing performance concerns – fuel tank?! in addition, i have reported both verbally and in writing to the dealership that my car often loses power when driving uph…”
2025-11-10 · Unknown Or Other“this making model has become known for a parasitic drain of the dcm module. it’s all over the public forums that this module doesn’t shut down properly and causes a drain on the battery system. the remedy is to plug your car into a battery tender system.…”
2025-05-29 · Engine“engine oil leak. an engine oil leak could potentially cause a fire hazard by igniting when leaking into hot components. it could cause engine damage due to inadequate lubrication leading to overheating and severe engine damage. the leak can contaminate the environment including soil and water, and it can create slippery surfaces which would be a r…”
2024-11-24 · Exterior Lighting“on 8/9/24 i was involved in a fender bender minor collision with a parked car which damaged my right-hand headlamp assembly on my 2018 subaru impreza. on 8/23/24 i brought my car to subaru of ann arbor to have safety recall wrg-22 nhtsa id 22v-624 performed on it. both headlamp assemblies were under recall by subaru. i was told by the service man…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.