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 i…
2012 subaru Impreza electrical problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 T…
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 …
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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