Recalls
6campaigns
2 brake · 2 electrical · 1 engine
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
243filed
Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 4★ · Rollover 5★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
30mpg combined
$2,177/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· CVT
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
Brake Lights May Not Illuminate
Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
78.3% repairedof 1,303,530 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V149000
Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Valve Spring Failure may cause Engine Stall
Engine and engine cooling · engine
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
70.2% repairedof 165,534 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V772000
Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
Power Relay may Fail Allowing Air Pump to Overheat
Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
60.9% repairedof 100,127 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V738000
Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.
- Consequence
- If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.
67.6% repairedof 30,348 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V419000
Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
Remote Engine Starter Fob Malfunction
Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported47,419 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V061000
Listed for 2012 Subaru Impreza. Not checked against your VIN.
INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE
Service brakes, hydraulic · pedals and linkages
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence
- THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Repair progress not yet reported32,685 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V562000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (243)
243 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
4involved a fire
6injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 243 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 105 | 43.2% |
| Engine | 55 | 22.6% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 12.3% |
| Power train | 26 | 10.7% |
| Seats | 15 | 6.2% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 6.2% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 4.9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 4.5% |
| Steering | 10 | 4.1% |
| Wheels | 7 | 2.9% |
How 2012 compares with other Impreza years
Best and worst Impreza years →2008176
2009104
201046
201157
2012243
2013249
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 176 | 14 |
| 2009 | 104 | 14 |
| 2010 | 46 | 15 |
| 2011 | 57 | 14 |
| 2012 | 243 | 6 |
| 2013 | 249 | 4 |
| 2014 | 108 | 3 |
| 2015 | 77 | 2 |
| 2016 | 75 | 1 |
| 2017 | 125 | 7 |
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 3★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 3★★★★★☆
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 9.9%★★★★★
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Subaru Impreza 4 dr awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 30 mpg combined
30
mpg combined
27
city
35
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,250
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 296 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
$2,177per year
$181per month
500gallons a year
Miles ÷ 30 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 35 / 30 | $2,250 | 296 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Impreza for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Subaru Impreza FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 19V149000 (brake), 18V772000 (engine), 16V738000 (electrical), 15V419000 (air bag), 13V061000 (electrical), 11V562000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Subaru Impreza problems?
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (105), Engine (55), Electrical system (30) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 27 city, 35 highway and 30 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Subaru Impreza get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Subaru Impreza 4 dr awd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 4 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Impreza compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Subaru Impreza model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (46) and the 2013 the most (249). The 2012 drew 243. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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