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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-SUBARU-IMPREZA
2012 · subaru

subaru Impreza problems

1 safety recall. 241 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
91 reports · avg $1,100
severe
engine
40 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
25 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
25 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
10 reports · avg $700
moderate
brakes
7 reports · avg $450
moderate
cruise control
6 reports · avg $600
severe
visibility
6 reports · avg $350
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Impreza · electrical Fire
The AC unit suddenly shutoff and there was a burning smell while I was driving. It turns out that the connector on the back of the climate control unit had either drawn too much current, or the resistance was too high, and the connector had started burning. Fortunately, the…
12/31/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633290.0
2012 Impreza · steering
HARD LEFT STEERING SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL TO RIGHT WHILE IN MOTION 97K MILES FAULTY RACK AND PINION MECHANIC VERIFIED 12/31/2018 860-774-4514 (RON-OWNER) *DT CONSUMER STATED DESIGN DEFECT. *JB
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164222.0
2012 Impreza · electrical
2012 IMPREZA... BOUGHT NEW, NOTHING BUT HEADACHES. ALL PROBLEMS LISTED BELOW OCCURRED BEFORE I HAD EVEN OWNED THE CAR 2 YEARS. 1. AT 8-10K MILES - WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD RANDOMLY TURN OFF PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND ILLUMINATE NO PASSENGER SEATBELT ON THE DASH. TOOK CAR TO DEALER…
12/30/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557856.0
2012 Impreza · engine
OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE. THIS CAN CAUSE DRASTIC DAMAGE AND INJURY ALONG WITH GREATER WEAR. I HAVE BEEN MITIGATING IT WITH KEEPING OIL IN…
12/27/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668509.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 15V419000 01/07/2015

Subaru of America, Inc

If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 241 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 91 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 2012 Subaru Impreza?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 241 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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