Subaru Impreza Complaints

2,698 consumer complaints on file.

#11661254May 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HVAC plug pigtail Blower motor resistor Heater control harness Is available for inspection HVAC electrical plugin was badly burned and melted causing risk of fire Summer months created dangerous interior temperatures Winter months & inclement weather created physical distress- & created dangerous vision restrictions/blockage because unable to use defroster Dangerous cab temperatures, limited or blocked vision through windshield created physical distress and distraction for me thus others and property were at elevated risk Yes confirmed by garage. No inspection performed. No warnings available. There are 2 separate incidents: July 2023/august 2023 September 2024/april 2025
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660912May 14, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I attempted to get a safety recall (headlamp assembly defect) addressed at my local Subaru dealership. The vehicle is still under warranty, and I was told I may be able to get a loaner or rental. However, when I arrived, I was informed that the dealership only has 9 loaners and does not offer rental coverage at all, even for warranty customers. I had already spoken to someone about my need for a rental due to my class schedule and was led to believe this could be arranged. I drove down there, took time out of my day, and missed class — only to be turned away with no solution. Subaru’s recall notice acknowledges the increased risk of a crash due to poor visibility and glare. My vehicle remains unfixed and unsafe to drive, and I was left with no support despite my warranty and a safety recall. Subaru has not made it reasonably possible for me to address this recall. If an accident occurs while I wait for a proper resolution, I will hold them responsible. I am submitting this complaint to formally document my experience and push for accountability.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659829May 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
I had my vehicle inspected on 5/3/25 and all 4 break lines had bubbles protruding from the rubber break lines that go from the caliper to the metal lines. A safety recall for the same problem exists for 1 year earlier than my Subaru. It appears that Subaru continues to use defective break lines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659266May 6, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
fire started under the engine hood while being driven
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11656333April 23, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that she sustained a neck and brain injury from the impact that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11656090April 22, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving home, and my foot fell to the floor when I hit the brakes. Thankfully, I was coasting to the front of my house, so I was able to stop using the hand brake. Upon inspection and professional opinion from the Subaru dealership, the brake line rusted through just after the rear junction block, identical to the recall NUMBER: WQK-47. However, my VIN was not included in this recall, and I am learning on YouTube and from the dealership that this is a common failure with my year and model vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655239April 17, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Description of the Problem: On or about [XXX], my 2019 Subaru Impreza experienced a sudden engine failure. The check engine light illuminated, and the engine shut off. Specifically, the check engine light came on approximately two minutes into the drive, and the engine shut off within 30 seconds of the light appearing. The vehicle was taken to Albany Subaru in Albany, CA, where a technician diagnosed the issue as a blown 15 amp ignition fuse and a damaged ignition coil (#4). Albany Subaru is recommending replacement of the spark plugs, coil packs, and the fuse. Albany Subaru has stated that "Subaru sent the recall out due to defective coil packs, and had the new updated coil packs installed. My tech is recommending to replace the coil packs due to the fuse blowing out and shorting out the current coil packs. The #4 coil was found damaged during the inspection." Connection to Recall: I am concerned that this current failure is related to the original defect addressed by Recall 21V264000. My vehicle had the recall service performed on November 14, 2019, to replace the ignition coils. It appears that the replacement coils, or an issue related to the recall repair, may have failed, leading to the blown fuse and further coil damage. I have asked the service technician at Albany Subaru to specifically determine if the current failure is in any way related to the original defect or the replacement parts installed under the recall. Safety Concern: This sudden engine failure poses a significant safety risk. A loss of engine power while driving can lead to a crash, especially at higher speeds or in traffic. In my experience owning many vehicles, I have never encountered issues with ignition coils, nor have I experienced this frequency of recalls. Vehicle Information: • Year: 2019 • Make: Subaru • Model: Impreza • VIN: [XXX] • Mileage: 59,784 miles Recall Information: • NHTSA Recall Number: 21V264000, Service date: Nov 14, 2019 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652517April 3, 2025
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and hard braking, the vehicle started shuddering violently and the steering wheel was not operating as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 MPH. The contact then inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the front driver's side control arm had fractured. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651397March 28, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the "Check Headlight Assembly" message was displayed, and the front passenger’s side headlight occasionally turned off or on, while attempting to start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,534.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648309March 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the control arms and brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644680February 24, 2025
TIRES
Driving between 40-50mph on streets, my tire burst and the rubber part completely shredded off. I just had my tires checked a couple weeks ago where they said everything was great. This tire completely disintegrated out of nowhere and nearly damaged my rim! The tire guy said there's no way this happened from a nail or road injury to the tire
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643603February 19, 2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the doors automatically locked with her children inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare key failed to unlock the doors. The contact sought assistance from a locksmith to unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the front bumper had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,417.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643755February 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I put my vehicle into park and try to remove the key, it becomes stuck in the vehicle every time due to a failing park position switch. This is a known issue to Subaru and should warrant a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641979February 11, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Eye warning keeps coming on. Then resets a few days later.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641875February 11, 2025
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Driver side auto dimming with approach light mirror vibration on highway making road, cars and headlights jump around and causing driver distraction. Notified dealership who told me to contact Subaru of America. Due to safety I went to a dealership and had side mirrors switched to non dimming which lessened vibration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641024February 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Head unit constantly rebooting. Completely unable to use the head unit. No longer functional. Unable to power the screen off. Very distracting while driving especially at night. Power button no longer works. Started about a year ago, then randomly seemed to of temporarily resolved itself until a couple of months ago. Head unit is now 100% nonfunctional and constantly reboots. No warnings when first occurred. Issue has been confirmed by independent service center. Puts myself and others at risk due to the screen rebooting on repeat and no way to turn the screen off. Extremely distracting and unsafe
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640376February 3, 2025
STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was driven with manual steering. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that approximately four days after the first failure, the steering wheel failed to move. Additionally, the vehicle was losing oil and one quart of oil had to be added every month. The contact stated that the power steering, ABS, TPMS, transmission automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and 4-WD failure warning lights were illuminated. The passenger occupant sensor chimed for the passenger to secure the seat belt consistently even though the occupant was seated with the seat belt buckled securely. The contact who is a certified mechanic had replaced the rack and pinion. The contact noticed that the threads on the tie rods were close in proximately risking the chance of damaging the tie rods. The ABS module had been replaced. The contact believed that the engine needed to be replaced but the engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,964.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640388February 3, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact's son's father owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon activating the heating system, a burning odor would emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic discovered melted plastic; as well as black soot, inside the vehicle's instrument panel and harness blower resistor. The contact stated that an unknown fuse and the heater motor were replaced; however, the failure returned. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer(Prestige Subaru of Turnersville NJ) where a diagnostic was performed and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact reached out to the manufacturer but was offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,173
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640254February 2, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER, ENGINE
I hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. I went to get the recall fixed when I found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640035February 1, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Subaru is aware of a specific set of year/model/makes that start to make a sound coming from the drive shaft center bearing in cold weather. Unnatural wear occurs on the bearing but the only remedy is to replace the entire drive shaft which is a really costly repair for something that is a structural design issue. There is a service bulletin for it: [XXX] It seems unfair that this is a repair the customer should take on when a drive shaft should likely survive the lifetime of a vehicle. This should be a recall. 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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