2012 Subaru Impreza

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Subaru Impreza
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 242 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1990	1
1993	33
1994	8
1995	46
1996	20
1997	30
1998	30
1999	22
2000	41
2001	11
2002	292
2003	62
2004	96
2005	75
2006	56
2007	68
2008	176
2009	103
2010	45
2011	57
2012	242
2013	248
2014	108
2015	77
2016	75
2017	125
2018	149
2019	191
2020	85
2021	14
2022	12
2023	4
2024	29
2025	4
2026	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 43%

43% of complaints: air bags — 105 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WE WERE BROADSIDED (T-BONED) IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WE WERE EASTBOUND GOING 25MPH & HAD JUST LEFT HOME. TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT AND BAM SHE HIT MY DRIVER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180404

FOLLOWED TOO CLOSELY THROUGH A DOUBLE INTERSECTION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHT. POLICE OFFICER DIRECTED TRAFFIC THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT APPARENTLY WE HAD TO STOP BEFORE THE SECOND INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130528

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

FOLLOWED TOO CLOSELY THROUGH A DOUBLE INTERSECTION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHT. POLICE OFFICER DIRECTED TRAFFIC THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT APPARENTLY WE HAD TO STOP BEFORE THE SECOND INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130528

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

The AC unit suddenly shutoff and there was a burning smell while I was driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241231

FOLLOWED TOO CLOSELY THROUGH A DOUBLE INTERSECTION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHT. POLICE OFFICER DIRECTED TRAFFIC THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BUT APPARENTLY WE HAD TO STOP BEFORE THE SECOND INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130528

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 26 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231105

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120301

SEATS 6%

6% of complaints: seats — 15 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20111205 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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 CON

Campaign 11V562000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 242

R 20130422 — electrical system, equipment

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 20

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.

Campaign 13V061000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150410 — PE (closed 20150715)

Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression

R 20150821 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 15V419000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161216 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 16V738000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181226 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 18V772000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190415 — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 19V149000 — check if this car was fixed