Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Subaru Impreza, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Subaru Impreza. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Subaru Impreza, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1990–2025 with 146 recall campaigns and 3369 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2010 (15), 2011 (14), and 2009 (14).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2013 (340), 2002 (339), and 2012 (336).
- Top recall themes: Airbags, Fuel and emissions, and Brakes.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Air bags, Engine, Power train.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
19 campaigns · Years: 1994–1995, 2004–2012These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Fuel and emissions
7 campaigns · Years: 1993, 2002–2003, 2017–2020These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Brakes
5 campaigns · Years: 2008–2016, 2023These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Electrical
5 campaigns · Years: 2008–2014, 2017–2019, 2024These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Powertrain
4 campaigns · Years: 2002–2003, 2021, 2023–2024These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Engine and cooling
3 campaigns · Years: 2004, 2008, 2012–2014These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
Other
3 campaigns · Years: 2002–2004, 2015, 2017These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Subaru Impreza in NHTSA complaint data are Air bags, Engine, Power train.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking, Lane departure: blind spot detection. |
| 2024 | 2 | 27 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Service brakes, Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior. |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2022 | 1 | 14 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Power train, Steering. |
| 2021 | 2 | 19 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Steering, Tires. |
| 2020 | 1 | 94 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Service brakes, Engine. |
| 2019 | 5 | 212 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Electrical system. |
| 2018 | 5 | 178 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Electrical system. |
| 2017 | 7 | 158 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Electrical system. |
| 2016 | 1 | 103 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Air bags. |
| 2015 | 2 | 98 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Power train. |
| 2014 | 3 | 155 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2013 | 4 | 340 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2012 | 6 | 336 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2011 | 14 | 71 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Power train. |
| 2010 | 15 | 61 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2009 | 14 | 148 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Structure:body, Service brakes. |
| 2008 | 14 | 249 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Air bags, Visibility. |
| 2007 | 9 | 81 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2006 | 10 | 68 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Power train, Engine. |
| 2005 | 6 | 95 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2004 | 8 | 113 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Air bags, Suspension. |
| 2003 | 6 | 64 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Fuel system, gasoline. |
| 2002 | 6 | 339 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Suspension. |
| 2001 | 0 | 13 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Air bags:frontal. |
| 2000 | 0 | 54 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:clutch assembly, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Suspension:front:wheel bearing. |
| 1999 | 0 | 27 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Air bags:frontal, Suspension:rear. |
| 1998 | 0 | 55 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:multiple axle, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft. |
| 1997 | 0 | 38 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Wheels:hub, Air bags, Air bags:frontal. |
| 1996 | 0 | 25 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Seats:front assembly:head restraint. |
| 1995 | 1 | 69 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control, Electrical system:horn. |
| 1994 | 1 | 8 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, Power train:automatic transmission, Power train:clutch assembly. |
| 1993 | 1 | 48 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield, Air bags:frontal, Air bags. |
| 1990 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting:brake lights, Power train:manual transmission. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Air bags , Electrical system and Exterior lighting
Other Subaru Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Subaru models.
- Ascent 2019–2027
- B9 Tribeca 2006–2014
- Baja 2003–2006
- Brat 1981–1986
- BRZ 2013–2027
- Crosstrek 2016–2027
- DL 1981–1989
- Forester 1998–2027
- GL 1981–1989
- Justy 1987–1994
- Legacy 1990–2027
- Loyale 1990–1994
- Outback 2005–2027
- Solterra 2023–2027
- SVX 1992–1997
- WRX 2015–2027
- XT 1985–1991
- XT6 1988–1991
- XV CrossTrek 2012–2015
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.