Air bag sensor and oil consumption
The 2012 Impreza has about 300 complaints per 100,000 sold. The passenger air bag light and oil consumption lead the list.
Updated November 2026 · based on 243 owner complaints and 6 recalls
297 1.7x the Impreza average
6 free to fix at a dealer
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 problems on the 2012 Impreza
Top problems and what they cost
Passenger air bag sensor
The passenger air bag switches off with an adult seated.
Fix: Sensor $300 to $700
Air bags
Oil consumption
The engine burns oil between changes.
Fix: Short block $3,000 to $5,000 if not covered
Engine
Recalls
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing th...
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes.
THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 Subaru Impreza
- Sit an adult in the passenger seat and watch the air bag light.A seat sensor decides whether the passenger air bag should fire. If the "off" light shows with an adult sitting there, the air bag may not deploy in a crash.Owners filed 91 complaints about passenger air bag sensor and light on the 2012 Impreza, one of the worst years for it.
- Check the oil level on the dipstick.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.55 of the 243 owner complaints about the 2012 Impreza involve the engine (23%).
Questions
Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Air bag sensor and oil consumption. The 2012 Impreza has about 300 complaints per 100,000 sold. The passenger air bag light and oil consumption lead the list.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?
6 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 Subaru Impreza problems?
Passenger air bag sensor; Oil consumption.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 Subaru Impreza SW AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.