The best Impreza years to buy are 2015 and 2021. Avoid the 2012 and 2013: passenger air bag sensor faults and oil consumption give them the most complaints.
Best years: 20152021 Years to avoid: 20122013
Every Impreza year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known Impreza problems
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | - | 2 | Brakes | Too new to judge |
| 2023 | 4 | - | 2 | Tires | Too new to judge |
| 2022 | 14 | 45 | 1 | Transmission and drivetrain | Few reports |
| 2021 | 14 | 40 | 2 | Collision avoidance | Good buy |
| 2020 | 85 | 195 | 1 | Visibility and wipers | Average |
| 2019 | 194 | 292 | 5 | Exterior Lighting | Watch out |
| 2018 | 152 | 199 | 5 | Exterior Lighting | Average |
| 2017 | 125 | 145 | 7 | Exterior Lighting | Average |
| 2016 | 75 | 130 | 1 | Other | Average |
| 2015 | 79 | 79 | 2 | Electrical | Good buy |
| 2014 | 108 | 129 | 3 | Air bags | Average |
| 2013 | 251 | 327 | 4 | Air bags | Skip this year |
| 2012 | 243 | 297 | 6 | Air bags | Skip this year |
About the Impreza
The Impreza is Subaru's compact car, with all-wheel drive standard. The 2012-2013 cars drew many complaints about the passenger air bag sensor switching off and about oil consumption. The 2019 and 2020 cars had more complaints than nearby years, but the 2021-2023 cars are among the most trouble-free.
- 2012-2016: Fourth generation. Passenger air bag sensor and oil use on 2012-2013.
- 2017-2023: Fifth generation. Windshield cracks and some driver-assist complaints.
Impreza warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Subaru files with NHTSA. 1,441 Impreza bulletins are on file in total.
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
Owner notification schedule: WUR-03 Impreza & Crosstrek Brake Hose Swelling Customer Satisfaction Program.
This letter provides information regarding the warranty extension for the Telematics Data Communications Module (DCM).
T16 Warranty Extension (15-317-24R) Frequently Asked Questions.
Refer to bulletin for engine/transmission type.
2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only), with 2.5L FB Engines, 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 F...
2.0L engines.
As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Impreza
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Preliminary evaluation PE15012 · 2012 · opened Apr 2015, closed Jul 2015 · led to recall 15V419000
The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on April 10, 2015 based on 26 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports involving the passenger frontal air bag in MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles.These vehicles use a capacitive type Occupant Detection System (ODS), which is intended to classify the occupant o...
Impreza vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Subaru Impreza?
2015 and 2021. The best Impreza years to buy are 2015 and 2021. Avoid the 2012 and 2013: passenger air bag sensor faults and oil consumption give them the most complaints.
Which Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
2012, 2013. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Subaru Impreza average.
Does the Subaru Impreza burn oil?
Some 2012-2015 Impreza engines burn oil between changes. Subaru settled a class action and replaced short blocks on some. Check the oil level and ask for records.
Based on 1,376 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2012 to 2024, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.