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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-SUBARU-IMPREZANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2010 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2010 Subaru Impreza has 10 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 46 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2010 Subaru Impreza has 46 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 8 complaints (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
10
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Impreza?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average
15 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2010 Subaru Impreza? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 8 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 5 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 5 owner reports
· ~$450 to fix
electrical — 5 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 15 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2010 Impreza· cruise control
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
Had a problem with your 2010 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 out of 10 based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Subaru Impreza has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2010 Subaru Impreza?
The 2010 Subaru Impreza is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average; 15 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Subaru Impreza?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Subaru Impreza a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 46 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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. 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. 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Subaru/Impreza.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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