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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-SUBARU-IMPREZANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2011 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2011 Subaru Impreza has 9 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 57 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2011 Subaru Impreza has 57 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 16 complaints (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
9
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 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
14 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Subaru Impreza SW AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 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
airbags — 16 owner reports
· ~$1,100 to fix
electrical — 9 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
visibility — 7 owner reports
· ~$350 to fix
engine — 5 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 14 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
2011 Impreza· powertrain
2011 Subaru impreza wrx hatch- master clutch cylinder failure-pressed clutch to the floor and put in first gear. Clutch did not return and stayed to floor. Hydraulic fluid leaked out of the bottom of the master clutch cylinder. Car was moving and could not get out of gear.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru impreza outback. The contact was driving with the cruise control set to approximately 55-60 MPH. After trying to decelerate and continuously depressing brake pedal, the vehicle would not stop. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and…
"takata recall" I received this mailing in june 2016 and have not heard anymore about this recall.west herr Subaru in orchard park ny said they have ordered the parts for my car months ago. I have not heard back from west herr Subaru or Subaru themselfes. I am not suppost to…
While driving home to denver, co from durango, outside of bayfield, we heard what sounded like a gunshot overhead and immediately pulled over. My sunroof had exploded outward. There was no other traffic on the road. The sunshade (?) was closed, so no glass fell into the car.…
Had a problem with your 2011 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, 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 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 TKB-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 out of 10 based on 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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 2011 Subaru Impreza?
The 2011 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; 14 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 2011 Subaru Impreza?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2011 Subaru Impreza a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 57 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. 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 2011 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 16 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2011 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 57 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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/2011/Subaru/Impreza.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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