Subaru Impreza

943 complaints across 12 scored model years and 34 recall campaigns.

Which years to avoid

Ownership label · Subaru Impreza Full report

Grade 2010–2021

2012 vs model median 2.1×

Model median3× median

Airbags & Restraints 64

Engine 23

Electrical 13

Avoid

2012 · 2019

Best

2015 · 2021

Year by year

Severity-weighted complaints filed in each model year’s first 60 months on the road, so every year is measured over an identical window.

Severity-weighted complaint volume and grade by model year for the Subaru Impreza
Year	vs median	Reports	Grade
2010	0.37×	22	B
2011	0.57×	33	B
2012	2.15×	152	F
2013	0.93×	71	C
2014	1.14×	52	C
2015	0.72×	46	B
2016	0.98×	60	B
2017	1.59×	95	D
2018	1.27×	78	C
2019	1.77×	147	D
2020	1.02×	87	B
2021	0.26×	19	B
2022 P	0.22×	15	A
2024 P	0.79×	52	B

P — provisional. These years have not completed 60 months on the road, so their totals are incomplete and they are excluded from the verdict.

What it costs to run

EPA figures for the most recent model year on record.

EPA fuel economy and drivetrain
Combined MPG	29.5
City / Highway	26.5 / 33.5
Engine	2.25L, 4 cyl
Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Annual fuel cost	$2,075

Recalls

34 campaigns on record, 1 carrying a Park It or Park Outside warning.

Recall campaigns, largest first
Campaign	Component	Model years	Units affected
19V149000	EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH	2010–2016	1,303,530
21V264000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2017–2019	466,205
19V743000	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE	2017–2019	466,205
14V311000	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	2010, 2011	461,338
19V009000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2010, 2011	452,630
19V008000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2010, 2011	330,120
16V358000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2010, 2011	302,127
20V001000	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	2010, 2011	258,813

+ 26 further campaigns

Others in Compact Cars

Same body and size class. Each grade describes that model against its own history — these are not ranked against each other.

Other models in the same segment
Model	Years to avoid	Grade
Acura ILX	20142016	C
Audi A3	20152017	C
BMW 1 Series	none flagged	C
BMW I3	none flagged	C
Buick Verano	none flagged	C
Chevrolet Bolt EV	2017	C
Chevrolet Cobalt	none flagged	C
Chevrolet Cruze	20112012	C

How this was calculated

Every model year is scored over an identical window: complaints filed with NHTSA during the first 60 months after that model year went on sale. Without this, older cars look worse purely because they have had longer to accumulate reports.

Limitations. Complaints are unverified reports submitted voluntarily by owners; they are allegations, not findings, and reporting rates vary between models. Model years with fewer than 60 months on the road are marked provisional and excluded from verdicts. Cross-model comparison is withheld pending production-volume data.

Full methodology · Sources · Data vintage August 9, 2026

Working 2012 Impreza

Complaints in window: 152
Severity-weighted: 206
Model median (weighted): 96
vs model median: 2.15×
Recall campaigns (weighted): 6
Open investigations: 0

Score 31.4 F