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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-SUBARU-IMPREZA NHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2018 · Subaru

Subaru Impreza problems

149 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

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

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Impreza?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

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.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

lighting
62 reports · fails ~21,000 mi · avg $250
moderate
visibility
34 reports · fails ~26,384 mi · avg $350
moderate
electrical
11 reports · fails ~16,136 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
7 reports · fails ~69,000 mi · avg $3,100
critical
body
4 reports · fails ~10,068 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~26,000 mi · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
3 reports · fails ~20,527 mi · avg $450
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Impreza's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 Impreza?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Impreza · lighting Crash
My car was involved in an accident and one headlight was smashed. I found out from my body shop that was my car was recalled and they have no way to fix my headlight. I called Subaru and they told me that the body shop could just put another head light in. But when I talked to…
2018 Impreza · body
About two weeks ago when the first frost hit I noticed there was a windshield crack but it looked unrelated to an impact crack as it came from the side of the windshield and extended towards the center. After getting the windshield replaced one week later while sitting in my car…
12/23/2018 · at 9,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163197.0 · see body pattern →
2018 Impreza · lighting
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
2018 Impreza · lighting
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The…
View all 149 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Subaru Impreza? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

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

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 19V744000 October 17, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

Common questions

Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

The 2018 Subaru Impreza is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. 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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 62 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 21,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,000 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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 149 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Subaru/Impreza. 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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