2011 Subaru Impreza

● Typical for this model
2011 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:15.727Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
58
Recalls
14

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 58 complaints 2011 58 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 251 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 152 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1995 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2001 2002: 292 complaints 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 58 complaints 2011 58 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 251 complaints 2013 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints 2018: 152 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2019 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2000 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2006 2007: 68 complaints 2008: 176 complaints 2008 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 58 complaints 2011 58 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 251 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2014 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints 2018: 152 complaints 2018 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2020 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2024 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026

2011: 58 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018152
2019193
202085
202114
202214
20234
202430
20255
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

29% · 17 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Wearing my seat belt, I was driving up a hill going 50 MPH and rear ended an SUV in front of me and side swiped another car on the drivers side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-02

The driver was the only occupant in my vehicle. My vehicle was traveling straight through a controlled intersection. A vehicle approaching from the opposite direction attempted to turn left directly in front of me, causing the collision.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-08

The vehicle hit a concrete barrier on an exit ramp from the interstate. The hit was front right of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to lock causing the driver head injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-31

Also filed under Seat belts

Electrical system

16% · 9 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I receive my new swp sti with 7 miles on the odometer. Right of the bat not a great taste in my mouth. Didn't get a great deal, finance room had some shady stuff going on. Whatever though, I have my new sti I'm happy enough!

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-10-25

Power train

10% · 6 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Recent 90K mile service revealed the need for transmission line replacement because it is starting to leak.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-25

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 6 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

National Highway Traffic Safety Admin March 9, 2026 I am submitted a vehicle safety complaint regarding a 2011 Subaru that I recently purchased on [XXX].

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-09

Also filed under Engine

Service brakes

10% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

14 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.

  2. R
    2015-01-27Service brakes, hydraulic14V830000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.

  3. R
    2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

  4. R
    2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 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.

    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.

  5. R
    2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

  6. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

  7. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

  8. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

  9. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  10. R
    2019-04-15Exterior lighting19V149000 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.

    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.

  11. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  12. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  13. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

  14. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 17 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 14V830000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V149000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Subaru Impreza have?
14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.