One of the worst Impreza years
Owners filed about 2.0 times as many complaints as a typical Impreza year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 37,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015, 2016 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Impreza years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The most reported problem area is the air bags (105, 43% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the electrical system. That ranks 2nd of 13 Impreza years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 6 recalls.
3 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Subaru Impreza before you buy.
Air bags
105 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that there was a defective gasket on the transfer case and the transmission needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 88,000 miles
Over the past three months, the front driver and passenger airbag lights have been on in my 2012 Subaru Impreza while driving. Documented videos attached were on 01/11/23, 01/20/23, and 04/04/23. It has happened at least 6 times and possibly more. I contacted Subaru after it happened and took it to the local Subaru dealer, who advised me…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Engine and cooling
56 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the gas cap was replaced; however, the warning light returned. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a diagnostic test and the contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as an oil consumption and cam carriers failure. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 119,000 miles
Electrical system
30 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
The fan controls in the center of the dash failed. Fan speed 1&2 work, but 3&4 do not. After pulling the center dash controls out, I found that the plug connecting the fan speed controls to the wiring harness was burnt. This is a concern cause it could have burned other components or caused a fire.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The AC unit suddenly shutoff and there was a burning smell while I was driving. It turns out that the connector on the back of the climate control unit had either drawn too much current, or the resistance was too high, and the connector had started burning. Fortunately, the melted plastic interrupted the electrical connection, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Transmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 71,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
Hello car just stopped on the Fla turnpike because bad valve body on transmission seem subaru knows about this problem and offered a extended warranty 10 yr or 100k but they did this during covid with stay at home orders and never sent any type of Notification my wife was almost killed when this happened to her our car has only 70k I…Owner complaint, filed 2024
I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerate. I pulled over and turned the car off as recommended in…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Seats and seat belts
18 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
When driving my vehicle the passenger airbag warning would go off with no passenger in the vehicle. When I have a passenger in my vehicle, the airbag sensor can't detect a passenger which is extremely dangerous. Also, for whatever reason the drivers seat isnt detecting a driver so the airbag light is on. After googling this issue I see…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 122,000 miles
The Airbag warning light has been lit within the dashboard. The front passenger seat airbag is faulty and is not able to correctly sense when a passenger is within the seat or not, which disables the airbags. This can be deadly to the passenger if in an accident. The issue seems to be in the ODS passenger seat mat that determines when…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Brakes and stability control
16 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
While driving, I suddenly lost braking ability and the brake pedal would go to the floor before slowing the car. I drove slowly approximately 1-2 miles, using the emergency brake and downshifting to control my speed, stopping at a local auto repair garage. On inspection, on the brake lines had rusted through completely and the other was…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving 30 MPH, the bolt attached to the brake caliper fractured. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The [VIN] was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 70,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
11 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
1. 5/12/17. Random surge from stop or slow speed. Stopped at light, gently stepped on gas to pull ahead, car surged hard and quickly into the car in front of me. $1500 damage to my car. 2. 1/11/18. Stopped at light, gently stepped on gas to pull ahead, car surged very hard and quickly into the car in front of me, that was quite some…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 47,000 miles
Lost throttle control on the highway(throttle disconnected?) doing 60+MPH, car behind almost hit me. Code shows a faulty pedal position assembly.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 88,000 miles
Steering
10 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon pressing the horn, he became aware that the horn was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had previously been intermittent. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 80,000 miles
Partial loss of electronic power steering affecting ability to steer right. Car naturally pulls to the left (into oncoming traffic) due to power steering assist being stronger that direction. Dealer indicates there is a service bulletin for this issue (cracked eps gear box), so it is known. But there has not yet been a recall for this…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Lights, wipers and visibility
10 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 65,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 129,173 miles
The contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v149000 (exterior lighting). While the contact's spouse was driving at an unknown speed, the check oil indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and [VIN] were not contacted. The failure mileage was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 180,000 miles
Wheels and tires
9 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
In 2014 tire pressure monitoring system light started blinking then remained illuminated. Now 2016 same problem now told one of the tire pressure monitoring system sensors is again defective but not under warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 62,000 miles
In a crime ridden neighborhood I had a flat tire which I was unable to change. This was due to my subaru labeled and packaged "mcgard" wheel key which cracked and became unusable. Tire sales and repair facility summoned for assistance reports they have a "bucket" full of this brand of wheel lock "keys" which cracked and became unusable.…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 40,236 miles
Fuel system
7 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Driving home on 12/11/16, the check engine, vehicle dynamics control, and cruise control indicators came on simultaneously. Check engine and vdc indicators were steady, but cruise control was blinking. The next morning when I started the car, the problem was still there so I immediately went to subaru to have it checked out. They…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 22,406 miles
My daughter was driving the car after getting off work at !:30 am when the engine stalled and the car would not restart. From time to time since I purchased this car new, the engine would sputter while driving. It turns out that there was a cut in the fuel filter. Our mechanic said it was unlikely that it happened any time except when…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 75,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
7 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (5).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while the vehicle was under yearly inspection, she was informed that the subframe was corroded. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the stabilizer bar, the rocker panels, and the cross members to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. The contact stated that there was about 3 inches of water on the floorboard underneath the front passenger's seat in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the leak was coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle near the wiring harnesses and the…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 150,000 miles
Suspension
5 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 83,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 126,000 miles
When we ge a oil change the oil level is very low. There are no oil leaks anywhere on the engine this is not what a engine should be doing.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 71,717 miles
Subaru Impreza complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 compact cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Impreza | Among the worst years | 6 |
| 2012 Toyota Corolla | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2012 Honda Civic | About average | 3 |
| 2012 Mazda Mazda3 | Among the worst years | 1 |
2012 Subaru Impreza recalls
Lights Switch
- Risk
- Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Engine and cooling
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify their owners.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Electrical system
- Risk
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Air bags Occupant classification
- Risk
- 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 the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.
Electrical system
- Risk
- The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Brakes Pedals and linkages
- Risk
- The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011, and legacy and outback vehicles manufactured from october 17, 2011, through november 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle.
2012 Subaru Impreza questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Subaru Impreza are the air bags (105 complaints), the engine and cooling (56 complaints) and the electrical system (30 complaints).
Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza a good year to buy?
One of the worst Impreza years. Owners filed about 2.0 times as many complaints as a typical Impreza year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 37,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2015, 2016 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Impreza years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The most recent, from Feb 2019, covers the switch. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 37,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 30,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
The Impreza years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012 and 2013. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2015, 2016 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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