This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Subaru Impreza electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Subaru Impreza have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 45,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Impreza | 7 |
| 2009 Impreza | 8 |
| 2010 Impreza | 4 |
| 2011 Impreza | 9 |
| 2012 Impreza (this page) | 25 |
| 2013 Impreza | 32 |
| 2014 Impreza | 17 |
| 2015 Impreza | 18 |
| 2016 Impreza | 12 |
1crash
4fires
When does it fail?
Of the 25 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Subaru Impreza in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Electrical failures in the 2012 Impreza cluster around three problem areas: occupant detection sensor malfunction, HVAC connector overheating, and ignition key release failure.
Occupant detection system (ODS) faults dominate. Owners report the passenger airbag warning light illuminating even with a passenger seated, or the system turning off airbags in response to moisture—sweat, wet clothing, damp seat cushions, or ambient moisture. One internal Subaru memo from August 2012 acknowledged that water on the seat causes airbags to disable until the cushion dries. Dealers have reset sensors without fixing the root cause. Some owners cite recall WQT-55 (NHTSA 15V419000) performed but not actually completed; others faced dealer refusal to repair without a stored diagnostic code. The sensor also misdetects occupancy based on passenger weight or appears to suffer electronic interference from phones or tablets.
HVAC heater control connectors overheat and burn, creating fire risk. Multiple owners describe melted plugs on the blower motor resistor harness or climate control unit connectors, some catching fire outright. Replacement parts have then failed with the same burning symptom. One owner confirmed garage inspection; others note the condition in summer and winter separately.
Ignition key sticking occurs frequently—owners report the key refusing to eject from the cylinder on 50% of turns or more. It requires multiple clicks, foot-on-brake maneuvers, or waiting five minutes for release.
Additional electrical issues include engine stalls triggered by phone use or audio cable disconnection, random check-engine and traction control light combinations, and airbag warning lights cycling during high-altitude driving.
Same Subaru Impreza electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunction
Passenger airbag warning light illuminates or airbags disable when a passenger is seated, or system falsely detects empty seat. Triggered by moisture (sweat, wet clothing, damp seat) or remains off until seat dries. Also responds to passenger weight and possible electronic interference from phones/tablets.
When: Reported from 5,700 miles through 30,000+ miles; recurring across driving conditions (cold, hot, high altitude)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag OFF warning light on with passenger in seat; Airbag disables when seat is wet or damp; Seatbelt warning chimes with light objects on seat; Airbags turn off during driving at high altitude or near phones/tablets; Light extinguishes after car restart or 20-minute drive
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealer replacement of occupant detection sensor; one owner cited dealer refusal until Subaru corporate intervention. Recall WQT-55 (NHTSA 15V419000) performed but not properly completed at some dealers; verified failure at second dealer location. Replacement cost cited as $1,700+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Internal Subaru memo (August 2012) acknowledges moisture-triggered airbag disabling, states airbags designed to remain off until cushion dries. Recall WQT-55 issued; dealers instructed to perform work but some falsified completion. Subaru support described as slow and unresponsive when issues persist post-recall.
HVAC heater control connector burning/melting
Blower motor resistor harness connector or climate control unit plug overheats, melts plastic, and burns or catches fire. Risk occurs in both summer and winter. Replacement connectors exhibit same failure.
When: Reported at 115,000 miles and in recent model years (July–August 2023, September 2024–April 2025); timing spans hot and cold months
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from HVAC unit or dashboard; Melted or charred plastic connector on heater control plug; HVAC unit suddenly shuts off; Smoking connector; AC/heater stops working
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced heater control unit/connector at own cost. One owner reported same burning issue occurred again after replacement with new part. Used auto parts locations reported same failure on at least 3 other vehicles.
Ignition key stuck or slow to release
Key refuses to eject from ignition cylinder or requires multiple clicks and extended time (up to 5 minutes) to release. Occurs 50% or more of the time on one vehicle; another shows increasing frequency. Workaround of shifting to neutral then back to park sometimes works but unreliable.
When: Intermittent occurrence; escalates in frequency over time
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn beyond second click out of three required clicks; Key locked in ignition for extended period; Multiple attempts needed to release key; Confusion about parking status due to inability to fully remove key
Engine stall triggered by electronic interference
Engine shuts off unexpectedly when phone call received or audio cable disconnected, while heater blower, lights, and radio remain operational. Phone not connected via Bluetooth at time of incidents.
When: Reported in 2013–2014 (Nov 2013, Jan 2014)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during phone call or audio cable disconnect; Heater blower, lights, radio continue functioning; Vehicle restarts normally after stall
Check engine and traction control lights, combined sensor faults
Check engine and traction control warning lights illuminate simultaneously. Dealer attributed initial incident to dirty camshaft sensor; subsequent diagnosis revealed failed oil pressure valve. At other mileages, ABS and tire pressure warning lights blink concurrently.
When: Reported at 15,000 miles (combined lights) and unspecified later occurrence (ABS/tire pressure)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light and traction control light on simultaneously; ABS light and tire pressure warning lights blinking; Multiple warning lights activated at once
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure valve replacement resolved check engine/traction control combination. One owner reported dealer serviced vehicle one week prior with no codes found.
Brake lamp switch failure
Brake lamp switch failed, disabling brake lights. Owner diagnosed and repaired in 2018 based on information from other Subaru owners experiencing the same fault.
When: Failed in 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Brake lamp switch replaced by owner. No receipt retained; Subaru later refused reimbursement under 2019 recall due to lack of documentation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued recall in 2019 for brake lamp switch replacement but denied reimbursement without receipt. Continues to flag vehicle as open safety recall despite repair; owner reports persistent and increasingly insistent recall notices.
Battery and alternator failure
Battery failed at 22,767 miles (vehicle ~1 year 10 months old). Alternator also required replacement at same mileage.
When: At 22,767 miles, approximately 1 year 10 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Battery failure; Alternator failure
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator replaced at dealer.
Airbag warning light cycling with high-altitude or electronic interference
Airbag warning icons (driver and passenger side) light up randomly on dashboard. Passenger airbag OFF status switches even with passenger seated. Seatbelt warning sound triggered by light objects on seat. Happens at high altitude (Pikes Peak, CO) and possibly related to passenger phone/tablet use.
When: Reported 5 occurrences in one day while driving at high altitude; intermittent at other times
Symptoms owners cite: Stability control warning lamps light up randomly; Airbag warning lamps light up randomly; Passenger airbag OFF even with passenger seated; Seatbelt warning alarm triggered by light objects on seat or iPhone on empty seat; Multiple warning lights cycle on and off
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic unable to diagnose; no stored codes when lights are off.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 melted plastic interrupted the electrical connection, and the fire had went out on its own. It looks like this is not an…
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 3 times. Dealer refused to fix as the "error was not stored in the computer." suggested cell phone was the problem even…
Brake Lamp Switch failed in 2018 - we diagnosed the issue, based partly on information from other Subaru owners who had the same problem, and replaced the switch. Since that time, the brake lights have worked fine. We reported this in a letter to Subaru after their recall for the brake lamp switch replacement in 2019. They refused to pay for the part as we no longer have the receipt (not having…
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 16,850 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,850; a quarter make it past 71,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Subaru/Impreza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.