Subaru Impreza Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Impreza model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (14) and the 2013 the most (249).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Wheels | — | 29 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2 | Tires | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
5 | 0 | Power train | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2022 | 13 | 1 | Power train | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
32 | 2 | Service brakes | 5★ | 29–30 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
46 | 15 | Unknown or other | — | 21–22 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
57 | 14 | Air bags | — | 19–22 |
| 2007 | 68 | 9 | Air bags | — | 19–22 |
| 2016 | 75 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2015 | 77 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2020 | 85 | 1 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 25–31 |
| 2009 | 104 | 14 | Power train | — | 21–22 |
| 2014 | 108 | 3 | Air bags | 5★ | 19–30 |
| 2017 | 125 | 7 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | — |
| 2018 | 151 | 5 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2008 | 176 | 14 | Power train | — | 21–22 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
194 | 5 | Exterior lighting | 5★ | 25–32 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
243 | 6 | Air bags | 4★ | 19–30 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
249 | 4 | Air bags | 5★ | 19–30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Impreza years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Subaru Impreza: 249 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 79 (32%); Engine 74 (30%); Electrical system 33 (13%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 7 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 61,660 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Subaru Impreza: 243 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 105 (43%); Engine 55 (23%); Electrical system 30 (12%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,900 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Subaru Impreza: 194 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 63 (32%); Visibility/wiper 55 (28%); Electrical system 19 (10%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru Impreza years with the fewest complaints
2021 Subaru Impreza: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 3 (21%); Visibility/wiper 3 (21%); Steering 2 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Subaru Impreza: 46 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (15%); Service brakes 7 (15%); Air bags 6 (13%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 48,250 miles. 15 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Subaru Impreza: 57 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 17 (30%); Electrical system 9 (16%); Fuel/propulsion system 6 (11%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 38,000 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Impreza owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 7,000 |
| 2019 | 194 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2018 | 151 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 18,500 |
| 2017 | 125 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14,953 |
| 2016 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2015 | 77 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2014 | 108 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2013 | 249 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 61,660 |
| 2012 | 243 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 45,900 |
| 2011 | 57 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 38,000 |
| 2010 | 46 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 48,250 |
| 2009 | 104 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2008 | 176 | 9 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 48,500 |
| 2007 | 68 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 50,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Impreza recalls
- Brake Lights May Not Illuminate (2008–2016 model years; 1,303,530 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2019; 19V149000)
- ECM Software May Cause Stall (2017–2019 model years; 466,205 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2021; 21V264000)
- ECM Software May Cause Stall (2017–2019 model years; 466,205 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2019; 19V743000)
- Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion (2008–2011 model years; 461,338 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V311000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2011 model years; 452,630 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V009000)
All 53 Subaru Impreza recall campaigns · Subaru Impreza problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Impreza years FAQ
Which Subaru Impreza year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (14). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Impreza years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2012 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Impreza problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (358 of 1,827 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 53 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Impreza. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Impreza recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.