Subaru Impreza problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 46 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Vehicle hesitates then surges forward violently when accelerator is pressed when engine is cold or in cold weather. Condition improves when engine is warmed up. Dealership and Subaru have not addressed the issue. Dealership will not allow me to drive vehicle as they say it's…
Vehicle was stationary. Car died when starting. The starter turned over and the engine engaged, but immediately died. There was no forewarning concerning the health of the engine (I.e. No check engine light, no rough riding/issues with gears). My mechanic checked inside the…
The driver's side sun visor, which is supposed to stay where you put it (either up out of the way or down in front of the window) has lost its grip and now just hangs straight down obscuring my view of the road ahead and could swing into my face if I brake or accelerate quickly.
Subaru 2010 wrx clutch failed at low mileage. There's a known defect involving the firewall that Subaru is not issuing a recall on and should, this usually burns out clutches early in the lifecycle. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Subaru Impreza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Subaru Impreza does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,225 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 62,225 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Impreza has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 46 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.