This Service Information bulletin announces a change to the shape of the rubber cap used on the flange nuts securing the sub-level sending unit to the fuel tank. In addition, two of the caps are now used in production instead of only one. This change was made to enhance productivity during vehicle assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Subaru Impreza have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Impreza | 3 |
| 2012 Impreza (this page) | 5 |
When does it fail?
Of the 5 fuel system 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
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SERVES AS A REMINDER TO ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES WHEN DIAGNOSIS OF A DTC B1500 LEADS TO REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY MAIN AND / OR SUB FUEL LEVEL SENSOR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗New Electric Power Steering (EPS) Control Unit for DTC C2532
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound from Extension Housing Area Using Latest Generation Production Parts
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Driving home on 12/11/16, the check engine, vehicle dynamics control, and cruise control indicators came on simultaneously. Check engine and vdc indicators were steady, but cruise control was blinking. The next morning when I started the car, the problem was still there so I immediately went to Subaru to have it checked out. They discovered code p1449: "EVAP system clugged check & found spider…
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, fuel system issues most often appear around 31,178 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.