Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#11541870August 31, 2023
POWER TRAIN
We own a 2013 Subaru impreza. The transmission valve body part has been determined to be defective from the factory, therefore rendering our vehicle unusable, stopping in front of other vehicles on the road. Subaru of America is aware of this reoccurring part failure with other vehicles of the same model, that they applied a third warranty on the transmission and drivetrain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541242August 28, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Low speed throttle application vehicle fails to respond. Does not happen all the time. A near collision almost happened while making a left hand turn with oncoming traffic. Has been happening repeatedly, usually within a parking lot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540476August 24, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission valve body failure causing dangerous erratic shifting while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539726August 21, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cowl continues to buckle from Windshield causing a gap where water can get to engine compartment. Have had it replaced twice now with no resolution. Being that I live in a state with very cold winters if water gets under the gap and then freezes it could potentially Crack Windshield. This needs to be addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539768August 21, 2023
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539688August 20, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539420August 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
From: [XXX] Date: August 18, 2023 Subject: Complaint Against Subaru for Faulty and Poor Quality Windshield I am writing to file a complaint against Subaru for the faulty and poor-quality windshield in my 2017 Subaru Impreza. On August 18, 2023, while I was driving on I-35, a tiny speck hit my windshield. Within a few minutes of driving, the speck spread into a large crack. I immediately pulled over and contacted the nearest Subaru dealer. The dealer said that the windshield would need to be replaced, and the repair cost would be $1,500. I am concerned that Subaru is ignoring the poor quality of their windshields. I have done some research online, and I have found many other complaints from Subaru owners who have had similar experiences. In some cases, the windshields have shattered while the vehicles were being driven, putting drivers and other road users at risk. I am requesting that NHTSA take urgent action against Subaru. I believe that Subaru violates federal safety regulations by selling vehicles with defective windshields. I urge you to investigate this matter and take appropriate action to protect the safety of consumers. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539134August 17, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and the vehicle was able to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538910August 16, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The transmission on my 2014 Subaru Impreza failed suddenly while I was driving about 70 mph in the middle lane of the interstate. My car began to decelerate rapidly, and I lost all ability to accelerate or even put my car in park. I was able to navigate to the side of the interstate and use the car's emergency brake to come to a stop. The event was extremely traumatic, and I have nightmares about losing control of my vehicle on that interstate with cars whizzing past me. I was stranded in a very remote area, barely making it onto the shoulder of the interstate, over an hour from my home and in a different state. During the three hours I waited for a tow on the side of I-5N, I discovered the many NHTSA bulletins issued regarding CVT transmission issues with the 2014 Impreza and the consequent extended warranty. Thus, I paid out of pocket to have my 2014 Impreza towed the thirty miles to the closest Subaru dealership, expecting the repair to be covered by the warranty. My car’s mileage is 71,612, and it is under 10 years old, falling within both requirements of the extended warranty. There had never been any indication of transmission trouble, and Subaru never contacted me to inform me of the known CVT transmission issues. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms ever appeared regarding the transmission. After inspecting my vehicle, the Subaru dealership verified a transmission issue, and claimed that the car was roughly 3 quarts low on CVT fluid. Despite NHTSA safety bulletins about known transmission fluid seepage issues in the 2014 Impreza, Subaru is trying to skirt responsibility for the known defect, and instead, they are claiming that it is the fault of a reputable independent mechanic stating that they *suspect* that since it was 3 quarts low because the independent shop did something wrong. However, records show otherwise. Subaru is not standing by its extended warranty and attempting to shirk responsibility for known CVT defects. Permission to inspect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538287August 14, 2023
Carry Handle, Shell, Base, Other/I am not sure
I was attempting to adjust the recline angle on the car seat in my husband’s car to match on daughter new weight category of over 20 pounds. When I went to adjust it I realized it only locks in positions 1 and 5. Neither of these is the appropriate angle. I have contacted the manufacturer. I have also learned apparently this is a common and know problem with this car seat model and the manufacturer is aware and has taken no action. This failure to lock is placing children at risk and could cause injury if the seat were involved in an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538195August 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The wires that connect to the climate control have started an electrical fire and burned out my climate control twice. Upon reporting this to Subaru they advised the climate control randomly not working is a very common problem as it can melt due to high heat outside (90-100+ temperature). Now upon replacing the climate control unit, the wire connected was burned as there was an active electrical fire that was the cause of the climate control not working because it could not connect to the wire pack properly due to the fire. Fire started and went out on its own but without my knowledge as it’s internal behind the radio portion of the car. I would not have known about the fire unless I replaced the part, which is what I did.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538116August 12, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
It has been over a year since the recall was issued for my vehicle. Subaru has yet to make the remedy available in my area. It’s been over a year now and Subaru dealerships near me say that they still have no idea of when the remedy will become available. I replaced my driver side headlight assembly shortly before the recall was issued. Subaru informed me that I could receive a refund for the part that I paid for (headlight assembly) due to the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537867August 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I discovered a recall for my car, which makes it unsafe to drive without service and a remedy. Additionally, my car is under warranty. I contacted both the dealership I purchased the car from and the manufacturer for information and a solution. The manufacturer initially denied any recall, even though the recall is stated on the NHTSA website with my car’s VIN. They later stated that the dealership is responsible for remedying the recall. The dealership has told me they are unable to remedy the recall and to contact the manufacturer again. I have yet to receive any remedy or offer of solution from the dealership or the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537604August 10, 2023
EXTERIOR 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 confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537403August 9, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Last August, a recall on Subaru Impreza headlamps was issued. To date, these have not been remedied and Subaru has no information about repair dates.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537507August 9, 2023
POWER TRAIN
This is the third time that this has happened on the highway. I was driving about 70 miles per hour when my acceleration cut out. My dashboard lights, head lights, and other electronics were still on, but the car stalled and would not accelerate. The car struggled to move forward, jerking while slowing down, and came to a stop. I was in the middle lane of traffic on the highway late at night driving home and wasn't able to get my vehicle fully out of the highway when it was coming to a stop. This put me in a very dangerous situation on the highway where my car could potentially be hit by people rushing by. I got out of the car and called 911, who helped me move my car to a safer location. Once the car stopped, i tried turning the key a few times and the spark plug ran, but the car would not turn on. The next day, the car did turn on and there were no warning lights or any other diagnostic readings. The car was taken to Subaru where they did diagnostic tests, but were not able to find any irregularities. I've had the same thing happen twice before and they couldn't diagnose the problem then either. I also experienced hesitation when accelerating where the car wouldn't accelerate, and then it would jerk forward when it did. After repeatedly going back to Subaru for this issue as the transmission is under warranty, they replaced the torque converter and said the problem was solved. I still experienced the hesitation and jerking while driving so I took it back, to which they said that it was driving normal, and that the hesitation was because of the way I drove the car. The car is not driving normal or safe because it stalled and stopped accelerating on the highway, like I told them it would again, putting me in danger. I believe it is the transmission that is damaged, and despite the extended warranty, they won't or can't address it. It would be available for inspection if it would help. There should really be a recall because they fight extended warranty claims
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537225August 8, 2023
ENGINE
All of a sudden, with no reason whatsoever, my daughter's car has "rod knock" with less than 100,000 miles on it. Bought this Subaru for my daughter so she would have a car that would last a long time and she would be safe. Maintenance was kept up at our local mechanic religiously. I am saddened and disappointed in the mechanical performance of this vehicle. Started with lights going out early in ownership when it was new, and now this. I have a Subaru Impreza as well and am strongly considering trading it in for a Honda. I have family that works for Subaru and I wanted to support family and bought 2 Impreza's based on belief that your brand was highly regarded for longevity and safety. Engine's in vehicles should last more than 100k miles, regardless of the manufacturer. This should be a recall based on internet research. My ask is that Subaru stands up to its marketing and its product and takes care of this repair at no cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536897August 7, 2023
EXTERIOR 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 for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536986August 7, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
A loud rumbling noise and vibration occurs while braking at high speed. Braking force seems unaffected but the noise in concerning. Upon inspection and a test drive, Subaru confirmed the issued and noticed uneven brake pad wear on the front brakes and leakage in the front caliper. Subaru recommended replacement of front calipers, pads, and rotors. Subaru replaced pads and rotors. The noise continues to occur occassionally. Subaru is recommending replacement of front brake calipers but is unable to replace them due to a shortage. I am concerned the brakes or other components may fail due to unusual wear. No inspection by police or insurance has been completed. No warning lights occurred, only the noise and vibration during braking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536228August 3, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2019 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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