Subaru Impreza problems
248 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Engine: 57 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,850–95,224 mi
- Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–112,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My passenger airbag sensor never turns on. Even if I have a passenger in the seat, the light still remains off. I know that the 2012 models used the same occupancy sensor as the 2013 impreza but the 2013 models haven't been recalled. This doesn't make any sense because they're…
Brake failure at low speed coming to stop at traffic light, traction control light came on,brake light came on and check engine light on. Returned to dealer to repair. Dealer took 2 days to repair . At witch it lasted till today(12/30/2013). The same thing has happened again.…
I have had a problem with the car burning oil since I bought the car. My oil light comes on after every 1000.00 miles and it is down at least a quart and a half each time . I change the oil every 3000 miles but I still have to put oil in in between. I ordered this car from a…
Driving up a slight grade into home garage I depressed the accelerator very slightly . The car shot suddenly forward and footbrake did not respond. Car sideswiped other car and broke thru rear panel of garage before I could stop it with handbrake. Major damage to front end of…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 248 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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.
Should you avoid the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
The 2013 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: Engine: 57 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 23,850–95,224 mi; Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–112,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 65 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,175 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 56,175 miles. 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 2013 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 248 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.