Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#11442949December 7, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The window trim underneath the windshield has a gap. I have taken it to a glass company and they said it was definitely a defect. The bottom trim/molding is separating from the glass and the clips that fit under the windshield do not stay in place. It is rubbing against the bottom of the windshield causing small chips. It’s just a matter of time before it cracks again. It cracked at 9k miles and is now at 13k miles with its second Subaru OEM windshield that has only been on for 2 Months. I feel this is the same situation as the class-action suit on spontaneous cracking windshields on Outback’s and Legacy’s, as well as the one now happening with 2017-2020 Crosstreks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442701December 5, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have had 3 windshields crack (all in the Winter months) for no reason with this Impreza. On December 4 2021, I turned on the car and while still in park, a 5" crack started growing from the bottom of the front windshield upward. The crack was not there when I started the car and during the day it grew to 8". This repair costs $1000 each time and from what I have read, Subaru is aware that this is not an isolated incident with these windshields. I complain each time that the windshields are defective and that vehicles I have that are 10 years old have not had a windshield crack or be relaced. Even a Subaru employee joked I should trade before getting another cracked windshield this Winter. I should have heeded that advice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442745December 5, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased Impreza Limited 10/31/19. On 1/23/21, car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery. On 7/4/21 car would not start; battery jumped by AAA. On 9/10/21 car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery again—3rd battery since I purchased car. On 7/22/21 Subaru of Morristown said they checked for parasitic drain, and told me it is “within specs.” They said I don’t drive enough miles. End of July 2021 I (a senior woman) purchased a Battery Tender which I must attach to the battery whenever the car is parked in my garage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442626December 4, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Key gets stuck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11442503December 3, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The driver's side sun visor, which is supposed to stay where you put it (either up out of the way or down in front of the window) has lost its grip and now just hangs straight down obscuring my view of the road ahead and could swing into my face if I brake or accelerate quickly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11441936November 29, 2021
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway and as he sat in the vehicle, he noticed that there was a crack on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact looked around but could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to an independent mechanic for repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440139November 11, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a three-lane parkway commuting to work, and the weather was clear. I was the only person in the vehicle. I left just after 7:40AM I had been driving for about 40 minutes. I had the cruise control ready to be set as I had turned it on briefly earlier in the drive, but it was not turned on at the time. When the cruise control button is pushed and "ready," lane keeping assistance turns on. The dashboard suddenly alerted saying the "Eyesight Driver Assist" was not working. Seconds later it said "check owner's manual" and then "check engine." Within a few seconds, the car began decelerating quickly. I got over to the right lane, turned on my hazard lights, and then pulled off on the shoulder where the car came to a full stop. I turned the car off and could see smoke coming from under the hood of the car. Within about 10 or 20 seconds, I climbed over the center console and out of the passenger door on the right and began backing quickly away from the car while watching it. The car then started on fire under the hood, and I called 911 immediately. My call to 911 was at 8:26AM. This whole incident--from driving to the start of the fire--occurred within about 1 minute or at most 2 minutes total. The car is a 2022 Subaru Impreza and was brand new. It had no prior issues or maintenance completed on the vehicle and no maintenance was due. I had the car for less than two months, and it had just over 1000 miles on it. I had never seen any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms on the car before. I had driven the car home from work the previous day and got home around 7:00PM. This was the first time I had seen any of the warning signs on the dashboard indicated above. The police department arrived within a few minutes and then the fire department arrived a few minutes after that. The fire spread to the entire vehicle and it was towed. The insurance company (GEICO) and Subaru indicated they will be investigating and inspecting the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439618November 7, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes on the car rusted out and were making noise. I took it to multiple Subaru dealerships and all of them told me nothing was wrong with my car. After dealing with this issue for 2 years, I finally took it to an independent mechanic who found the rust along with an absurd amount of lubricant on my rotors. He was the first person to listen to me and he didn't make me feel crazy. He completely replaced my calipers, rotors, and brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439156November 3, 2021
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while her son was driving and approaching a stop sign, he heard an abnormal noise which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and was informed the recall was completed by the previous owner on 12/10/2011. The failure mileage was approximately 199,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439122November 2, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Front windshield cracked for no reason.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438969November 1, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph when the contact was hit by a different vehicle which resulted in the air bags not deploying. The contact sustained a cut on his hand and soreness in his back. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 91,543.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438971November 1, 2021
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the contact was making a left turn when another vehicle struck the vehicle on the front driver side door which fractured the side mirror and glass on the driver side door. The air bag did not deploy. The contact was injured and sustained a cut on their left hand due to the glass but declined medical treatment at the scene from the ambulance. The contact mentioned that he will be seeking medical assistance in the future. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towed yard where the insurance provider inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,554.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11438214October 26, 2021
AIR BAGS
In humid weather SRS airbag warning light illuminates and passenger airbag turns off even with passenger in the front seat. Car is in motion (or can be stationary but running) when this happens. Does not occur on days when weather is cool and dry. I feel this should be considered a very serious issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438040October 25, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The car windshield cracked while driving without any apparent reason. It is a large horizontal crack on the driver's side which affects visibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438113October 25, 2021
AIR BAGS
If a passenger with mildly damp pants or bathing suit sits in the car the airbag warning light will come on and the indicator for passenger airbag disabled will light. This happens consistently and does not require much moisture. It happens with a mildly damp bathing suit under shorts while sitting on a towel. It will not happen (again, consistently) if the passenger sits on a plastic bag. The airbag should be more reliable than this. The dealer said there is no fix for this issue and it is known that moisture may cause the airbag to not work. The customer advocacy dept of Subaru of America deferred to the dealer and just said there are no recalls for the vehicle. This appears to be the same issue as the 2012 recall. Subaru would not explain to me how my problem is any different from the 2012 recall problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436897October 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
Airbag occupancy sensors fail if driver or passenger are warm from exercise or damp. I have experienced this many times in the course of my ownership(2015-present). The dealership reports the system is functioning properly although 2012 Imprezas were recalled for a similar issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436951October 15, 2021
POWER TRAIN
Three warning lights (ABS; Incline start assist; Traction control system) illuminate, while the AT Oil Temp warning light flashes. This happens sporadically and not every time the car is driven. The Subaru dealership mentioned it was some type of module that was tripping the codes. I'm reporting this issue, because I didn't see a recall for it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436753October 14, 2021
VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the windshield had fractured on the passenger’s side lower right. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and had the windshield replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436526October 13, 2021
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield cowl separates at the bottom of the windshield for reasons such as heat. The separation grows over time and has the potential to detach on the highway partially or entirely. If detached partially, obstructs vision and scares. If entirely, could impact following vehicle. This problem is reproduced and confirmed by both my dealership and multiple independent online sources. Look for "windshield cowl seperation" topics for 17+ imprezas and 18+ crosstreks. This issue became apparent within the first year of ownership, was serviced at the dealership by replacing the part under warranty, and now has occurred once more in my second year of ownership. Attached photograph shows the beginning of separation (not the wiper). This can grow in size very quick. Noted additional details are dated for last occurrence, however as stated 1 more occurrence has occurred 1 year ago at approx 5,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436688October 13, 2021
AIR BAGS
The passenger airbag occupancy sensor in my care is broken and has been since I purchased this vehicle in 2016. It is the same issue that caused the recall of 2012 Impreza models, however, my 2013 model is not covered under the recall despite having the same occupancy sensor for the airbags. If the passenger airbag sensor is exposed to moisture, whether from a wet seat, a sweaty bum, or even an excessively humid environment like Charleston SC in the summer or western Washington, the passenger airbag will switch off even when there is a passenger present. . The warning lamp on the driver dash lights up, and the passenger airbag display reads "OFF". The airbag will shut off at any point, even if the vehicle is already in motion, should the moisture levels reach a certain level in the environment. This is an expensive, cost prohibitive repair that I believe Subaru consumers shouldn't be responsible for. This malfunction puts passengers in my vehicle at risk should an accident occur when the airbag is shut off despite the presence of a passenger. I have documented this on MANY occasions- from 2016 to 2021. Subaru should step up and expand this recall to other models that use the same passenger occupancy sensor as the recalled sensors in their 2012 Impreza's.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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