Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#11747927July 2, 2026
WHEELS
In 2023 I leased a Subaru Impreza base model for 3 years and found Subaru no longer includes a spare tire, and only has a kit. This means paying to be towed to a service center when I could have a spare tire loaded by AAA. I bought myself a spare Firestone P225/40 R16 in event I needed it. 2025 State inspection found that all four tires had treads worn and I needed to get the tires replaced under warranty which Subaru did for me. 2026, I went to renew my lease and thee base model is no longer sold. A wider R18 trim car is sold, with a minimum $70 higher paying lease, and still no spare included. The dealer will not swap tires for me, despite doing so under warranty when the inspection failed. I'm concerned if I do get a flat, I'll be forced to pay towing and wait for ordering tires just for one flat. As a safety issue, all cars need spare tires, not kits. Subaru has stopped offer that safety feature. Waiting for a tow in the middle of the night makes driving risky with potential running into deer and animals to total my car. If a spare was available, I wouldn't have that risk. I'd just need to replace the tire. Please convince Subaru to replace the tire I bought with one that will fit my renewed lease car as a safety recall issue. They should offer spares for all cars. No accident has happened yet. I want to be ready in case I do get a flat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747595July 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle rolled to a stop and stalled in hot and cold temperatures. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by Roadside Assistance. The contact purchased a trickle charger. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746233June 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The electrical system failed and battery then exploded. The vehicle is behind held at a tow yard and has been inspected by allied insurance CPI of tower federal credit union. It is available to be inspected for the time being but will be scrapped soon. Both my safety and the safety of others was at risk- this occurred in a Wendy’s drive through near other vehicles, a building and of course people there in. There’s video footage of the incident taken by Wendy’s staff. The car stopped running as the fire caught- I ( the driver ) had to push the vehicle physically away from the building and cars and got away only one minute before it entirely exploded. Whether or not the problem has been confirmed or reproduced elsewhere is UNKNOWN. The fire was extinguished by firefighters and police did take a report as well. There was absolutely no warning that there was an issue prior - not even a hazard light- the only thing I noticed was my oil temp had begun to increase.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745495June 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Cabin blower fan stopped working. Faint burned plastic smell. Starting with the blower motor, I worked backwards. The Blower Motor Resistor showed significant wear, which I replaced. After checking or replacing all other components, I realized that it was likely the AC Control Unit. I took it out and the electrical issue is so bad that the plug has melted to the harness. I found plenty of online videos and forums which helped me diagnose the problem in my own car. This is a fire hazard, and considering how many other people have experienced this, I'm surprised there is no warning or a recall. There is already one other complaint in your database, [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
#11742641June 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When attempting to start the vehicle, randomly, the key loses programming. This is the 2nd time where the keys lose programming and vehicle has to be towed at owners' expense and wait as long as 5 days for dealership to reprogram.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740850May 29, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle loss power. An independent mechanic was contacted. No warning light warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic where the diagnosed the coil pack was melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed the coil pack had a shortage. The contact mention this failure has occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was repaired as the coil pack and wiring was replaced. The contact was relating to the recall to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V264000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed her because of the milage there was no recall. The approximate failure mileage was 145,866.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739696May 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My ignition key gets stuck when I shifted into park on my 2012 subaru impreza.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736402May 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
2019 Subaru Impreza has experienced intermittent and now persistent failures involving the factory EyeSight driver assistance system. Prior to complete failure, the EyeSight system would randomly disable and re-enable while driving. Adaptive cruise control and related safety features became unreliable and would intermittently stop functioning. The issue worsened over time and eventually resulted in repeated “EyeSight Off” warnings and multiple system fault messages. Vehicle diagnostic scans showed repeated U1235 “Lost communication with EyeSight” faults across multiple modules, including ABS, steering, transmission, and instrument cluster systems. Additional communication and airbag indicator-related faults were also present. The windshield was recently replaced due to a crack located near the EyeSight camera area. Subaru service personnel stated that EyeSight systems are extremely sensitive to windshield specifications and calibration requirements, and that aftermarket windshields may prevent proper operation or calibration of the system. Subaru also indicated that EyeSight calibration equipment is highly specialized and expensive, and that repair costs may not be practical relative to the vehicle value. Despite attempts to reset the vehicle systems and inspect the issue, the EyeSight system continues to malfunction and remains disabled. Because EyeSight controls important driver assistance and collision-avoidance features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking, this issue creates significant safety concerns. The intermittent nature of the failure, repeated communication faults, and inability to reliably restore system operation raise concerns regarding the long-term reliability and serviceability of Subaru EyeSight systems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736146May 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a new Subaru Impreza and there is a cam carrier leak that was reported last time I took it for service at the dealership two weeks ago. There are only 41k miles on the car, and there were no warning lights/messages. Upon my research, this is a common problem with Subarus due to the sealant that they use with a very high cost to fix (I was quoted $4.5k), not mentioning the time it takes as well. Additionally, fixing the problem does not prevent it from recurrence. Because this puts the safety of the driver at risk and is a known problem in newer Subaru vehicles, it should be covered under the warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734220April 28, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
For the second year in a row my windshield has cracked. Nothing hit it, or happened to make it crack. Both cracks were long and coming from the bottom of the windshield under the passenger wiper blade. I noticed it today, 4/28/26 and the same thing happened in the beginning of April last year with the same circumstances (or lack thereof).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732323April 20, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731863April 17, 2026
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
My base level 2024 Subaru Impreza , while driving, has a vibration and shake in the drivers side rearview mirror at speeds over 25 mph, making it difficult to see clearly behind my vehicle. Vibration was present as a new vehicle and have reported issue to service advisor at Sport Subaru of Orlando Florida as a new vehicle owner.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731598April 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing a safety complaint regarding an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure in my 2017 Subaru Impreza and the handling of a prior recall repair. Dealership records show that a recall repair (WRE21 – ignition coil recall) was completed in June 2021. At that time, the dealership documented that the ECM calibration was up to date and functioning properly. However, I later experienced a check engine light and drivability concerns. Diagnostic records from February 2026 indicate: •Camshaft slow response codes •Persistent sensor issues •A technician recommendation to replace multiple components, including the ECM, stating that codes were “burned into the ECM” The dealership has since attempted to attribute the ECM failure to “engine sludge” and lack of maintenance. Concern with Dealership Explanation: This explanation is inconsistent and raises serious concerns: •Engine sludge is a mechanical lubrication issue and does not directly cause an ECM (electronic control module) to fail or become “burned.” •The ECM is an electronic unit, and failure typically results from electrical defects, internal faults, or manufacturing issues—not oil sludge. •The dealership has not provided technical evidence showing how sludge could damage or “burn” the ECM. •This appears to be an attempt to shift responsibility away from a potential defect or improperly completed recall repair. Safety Concern: The ECM is critical to safe vehicle operation. A failure can result in: •Engine malfunction or reduced power •Unpredictable vehicle behavior •Increased risk while driving If ECM failures are being misdiagnosed or incorrectly attributed to maintenance issues, this could allow serious safety defects to go unaddressed. Requested Action: I request that NHTSA: 1.Investigate whether ECM failures are being improperly attributed to maintenance issues such as engine sludge. 2.Review whether the recall repair (WRE21) was properly completed and whether it is related to thi
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730534April 11, 2026
ENGINE
Subaru stutters stalls, torque converter malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730588April 11, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel tank is leaking at molded seam making the vehicle undriveable and a fire safety hazard. Contacting dealer Monday morning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730470April 10, 2026
SUSPENSION, STEERING
I contacted Subaru in Mentor Oh at adventure subaru under TSB 19V065000 and was told to take it in to get looked at, my issue when I purchased the car at 67k miles i found that the car had a loud clunky sound while steering and going over bumps. After seeing the dealer and the stated the issue was from the steer rack and was exactly what was described exactly in the TSB but the only thing was they did not see a visible crack, the repair was denied. I then took the car to another dealer near Beavercreek oh after calling Subaru of America Case # [XXX]. Subaru of America was very certain that the repair was going to get performed. After going to the dealer it was yet again denied again, now it is outside the TSB warranty window. The car has had the entire suspension repaired and the noise is so bad and the steering doesn’t feel right. The car literally is unsafe to drive, i owe money to my loan company for 540 a month, the car just sits in the garage. I am sick of getting put through this nightmare. I want the part replaced or to get out of the loan completely and return the car to Subaru or the bank. Please help i have ran out of ideas. I do lots of driving and dying in a car accident scares me to death. 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
#11729535April 6, 2026
SEAT BELTS
My front passenger seat belt has been stuck and unusable since November 2025. This issue has been reported to Brandon Tomes Subaru in McKinney TX at the end of November. The seat belt was inspected and was determined faulty and covered under the warranty. The part needed to fix it wasn't unavailable and the dealership said it would be shipped. Today is April 6th of 2026 and my car has not been repaired still. It is not safe to transport passengers and I have 3 children. My oldest [XXX] ) always uses the front passenger seat. I am unable to safely drive the car and transport my family, and it very negatively affecting my family. Please help me to get my car back on the road and safely. With appreciation, [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
#11729310April 5, 2026
ENGINE
Vehicle Production Date: January 2014 Related Recall: Subaru WTM-73 / NHTSA ID 16V738 (revised July 11, 2017 as WTM-73R) Recall Coverage Production End Date: September 13, 2013 Mileage at First Incident (March 2024): 79,268 Mileage at Second Incident (February 2026): 92,325 The secondary air pump failed in March 2024 (79,268 miles) and again in February 2026 (92,325 miles) just 13,057 miles later. The February 24, 2026 failure produced smoke while parked among other vehicles and trees. A tow truck operator disconnected the pump to prevent a potential fire. Dealer did not replace relay alongside the pump, inconsistent with WTM-73 as revised by WTM-73R (July 11, 2017). The relay subsequently failed, requiring a separate visit. Components are unavailable for inspection. The problems were confirmed and repaired by an authorized Subaru dealership in Sterling, VA. Service records document both failures. For the February 2026 repair, the dealership mistakenly concluded the repair was under warranty and completed it as such - then later tried to backtrack and make me pay. The March 2026 return visit confirmed blown fuses and a failed relay due to incomplete initial repair, which the dealership also made me pay, but later reimbursed me after I referenced the revised recall notice. March 4, 2024: P2444 diagnostic code and a hissing noise. Repair costs not reimbursed as the recall does not cover my vehicle's production date. February 13, 2026: a hissing noise was recorded February 14, 2026. Check Engine light; additional lights may have been present but cannot be confirmed with certainty, distracted by urgency of the situation. March 3, 2026: multiple warning lights illuminated within 2.3 miles after leaving dealership from having air pump repair: Check Engine, Sport Drive, and Cruise Control Recall WTM-73R covers vehicles through September 13, 2013, mine indicates January 2024. I request NHTSA extend coverage to vehicles produced through at least January 2014.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728298March 31, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield lower plastic mount or cowl is getting detached creating a large visible gap between the cowl and windshield about 0.5+ inch. The gap runs across the middle of the windshield to its left and right side occupying about 50% in total. Gap is an issue when it rains, when it is snowing or other things since might get embedded on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727613March 27, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
My entire dash went out. Nothing worked. This car has only 3500 miles on it. I got danger signs and it said to stop driving the car. Danger. I also got messages in my e-mail I think from Starlink to stop driving the car and bring it in to service. It was dangerous. Service had it for two weeks. They didn't know what to do. They asked if I did something with wires. I'm a [XXX] woman and4'10". What a question. Then some guy at Subaru said "they'll probably have to put a whole new dash in. Days later I called again.Another guy said they had to call all over America to try and find the part. No one to my knowledge has inspected this. I am working with Subaru Customer Care. I don't want this car. I do not feel safe in it.For something so new these emergency problems should not be happening. I want a cash back or give me another car.They had it for two weeks and gave me no explanation what happened. It is not a safe car. I hope Customer Care will help me. Someone has to. I don't want this car. 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

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