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Subaru Impreza: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Subaru Impreza problems by model year, from 1,443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2013 (57%, 96 drivetrain complaints), 2012 (57%, 79 drivetrain complaints) and 2010 (50%, 20 drivetrain complaints). 5 of the 11 Subaru Impreza years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2020 (4%), 2018 (13%) and 2019 (13%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2013 drew the most drivetrain complaints (96 of 330 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2021, 2022 and 2023 have fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Subaru Impreza year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Impreza | high | 50% | 20 | 46 | 3/11 | 15 |
| 2011 Impreza | elevated | 38% | 15 | 57 | 5/11 | 14 |
| 2012 Impreza | high | 57% | 79 | 243 | 2/11 | 6 |
| 2013 Impreza | high | 57% | 96 | 249 | 1/11 | 4 |
| 2014 Impreza | high | 42% | 29 | 108 | 4/11 | 3 |
| 2015 Impreza | no elevated signal | 33% | 23 | 79 | 6/11 | 2 |
| 2016 Impreza | no elevated signal | 27% | 17 | 75 | 7/11 | 1 |
| 2017 Impreza | no elevated signal | 24% | 20 | 125 | 8/11 | 7 |
| 2018 Impreza | no elevated signal | 13% | 11 | 151 | 10/11 | 5 |
| 2019 Impreza | no elevated signal | 13% | 17 | 194 | 9/11 | 5 |
| 2020 Impreza | no elevated signal | 4% | 3 | 85 | 11/11 | 1 |
| 2021 Impreza | too few to score | – | 2 | 14 | – | 2 |
| 2022 Impreza | too few to score | – | 5 | 13 | – | 1 |
| 2023 Impreza | too few to score | – | 1 | 4 | – | 2 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Subaru Impreza years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Subaru Impreza engine recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the Subaru Impreza involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 29 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2017 | 17V216000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2017 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V772000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2012–2014 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V744000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) | 2017–2018 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V745000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) | 2017 |
| Apr 2020 | 20V218000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019 |
| Jul 2021 | 21V587000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2020 |
23 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2011 | 11V562000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2012 |
| Feb 2013 | 13V061000 | electrical system | 2012–2013 |
| Jun 2014 | 14V311000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2010–2011 |
| Dec 2014 | 14V830000 | service brakes, hydraulic | 2010–2011 |
| Jun 2015 | 15V366000 | forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking | 2015 |
| Jul 2015 | 15V419000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification | 2012 |
| May 2016 | 16V358000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Oct 2016 | 16V738000 | electrical system | 2010–2014 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V014000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Mar 2017 | 17V132000 | back over prevention: camera system | 2017 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V012000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V013000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V007000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V008000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V009000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Feb 2019 | 19V149000 | exterior lighting: brake lights: switch | 2010–2016 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V297000 | electrical system: ignition: switch | 2010–2011 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V743000 | electrical system: software | 2017–2019 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V001000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V002000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V003000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Apr 2021 | 21V264000 | electrical system: software | 2017–2019 |
| Aug 2022 | 22V624000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2017–2019 |
What the free pages leave out on the Subaru Impreza
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Subaru Impreza
What are the worst years for the Subaru Impreza?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Subaru Impreza years are the 2013 (57% of relevant complaints, high), the 2012 (57% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2010 (50% of relevant complaints, high). 5 of 11 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Subaru Impreza?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Subaru Impreza years are the 2020 (4%), the 2018 (13%) and the 2019 (13%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Subaru Impreza have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 11 scored years, 330 of 966 relevant NHTSA complaints (34%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 5 of 11 Subaru Impreza years we score have an elevated complaint share and 6 do not. Pooled across those years, 34% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Subaru Impreza?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Subaru Impreza years we track, out of 29 in total: 19V745000 (Oct 2019, 2017), 20V218000 (Apr 2020, 2019), 21V587000 (Jul 2021, 2018–2020), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.