Worse than most Impreza years
Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical Impreza year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 25,000 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 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Impreza. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (101, 66% of complaints), followed by the electrical system and the engine and cooling. That ranks 4th of 13 Impreza years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 5 recalls.
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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 2018 Subaru Impreza before you buy.
Lights, wipers and visibility
101 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 25,000 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
On 8/9/24 I was involved in a fender bender minor collision with a parked car which damaged my right-hand headlamp assembly on my 2018 Subaru Impreza. On 8/23/24 I brought my car to Subaru of Ann Arbor to have Safety Recall WRG-22 NHTSA ID 22V-624 performed on it. Both headlamp assemblies were under recall by Subaru. I was told by the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Electrical system
12 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 14,000 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
2018 Impreza, beginning around 2020, has had three dead or damaged batteries (2x OEM and 1x aftermarket) and the car is now on its fourth battery (aftermarket). Vehicle couldn't sit for more than a few days without needing jump started. Dealership performed parasitic draw test and concluded the Data Communications Module (DCM) was the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Failure of the starter motor, should be able to get the faulty part from mechanic. This rendered me unable to start my car and required a tow, thankfully not from the side of the highway. Confirmed faulty with tow driver and mechanic. The part has only been inspected by mechanic who mentioned this was the third starter motor failure he…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Engine and cooling
11 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 26,000 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 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed and needed to be redone. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 106,000 miles
Engine oil leak. An engine oil leak could potentially cause a fire hazard by igniting when leaking into hot components. It could cause engine damage due to inadequate lubrication leading to overheating and severe engine damage. The leak can contaminate the environment including soil and water, and it can create slippery surfaces which…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Body, doors and structure
6 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
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
2018 sport model noticed front windshield cowl panel warped at 4770 miles and again at 6880 miles after warranty placement. Cowl panel pops up at the center of the panel leaving a 1/8" gap between the rubber seal and the base of the windshield. Upon pressing it down, the gap will return in a few days leaving a larger 1/4" gap. Over time…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 4,770 miles
The wiper cowl cover separates from the windshield resulting in a gap between the cowl cover and the windshield. This gap allows an abnormal amount of water to flow inside, especially during heavy rainfall, snow, or carwash. In addition, debris such as leaves, pine needles, etc enter through the gap, resulting in clogged drain tubes over…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 1,500 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
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
COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system suffered internal mechanical/hydraulic failure (TR580 unit). The vehicle and transmission assembly remain intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The transmission experienced erratic downshifting, slipping, and…Owner complaint, filed 2026
it is a case of sudden acceleration when parking the car in battery , goin forward very slowly, the subaru impreza accelerate , jump the curve and crash agaings a tree 5 ft away from the curve, the results extensive damage in the left front , airbags did not deployOwner complaint, filed 2023
Brakes and stability control
3 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
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
March 2023 I had all 4 rotors & brakes replaced. About 2 weeks after, doing 65 mph on highway 79 I had to lightly apply my brakes. After letting off the brake all of a sudden my whole car, steering wheel, etc started shaking. I pulled off the road thinking something broke but nothing was. A couple months later on 79 it did it again…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Suspected defective and/or faulty brake booster or brake hose on the front left tire. Car starts violently shaking/shuddering when easing onto the brakes (once the brakes have warmed up for my daily commute to work). Resulting vibrations travel up the steering column to the steering wheel, and into the cabin. The car will then pitch its…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Steering
3 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
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
Vehicle Information: 2018 Subaru ImprezaVIN: [XXX] Affected: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gear Box Assembly)Description of the Safety Defect:I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 Subaru Impreza.The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Bought this car 1 year ago at East Hills Subaru. Among other problems such as water leaking inside vehicle due to clogged drains, most recent issue is the steering column not locking firmly. This is causing the steering wheel to shift up or down while driving, even though locking mechanism under steering wheel column is engaged. The car…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Cruise control and acceleration
3 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
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
After the coil pack recall was done, our car began shuddering, hesitating and stalling. Went to the dealership 4-5 times. ECM and Prindle valve were replaced but still doing it. then engine exploded going up a hill, stranding us for 2.5 hours on the freeway. Engine replaced under warranty (which expired while in shop for two months). No…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Intermittent loss of power at 2000 to 3000 rpm is getting worse and worse. I've taken it to my local subaru dealer 8 times to address this issue and they have denied anything I've reported. They've had technicians on rides with me but I can't recreate something that is so intermittent. It seems to happen more in hot weather but I can…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 26,000 miles
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
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 car is less then 2 years old and it has a problem braking, it makes a rubbing noise everting time it turns while braking, at higher speeds it vibrates, and also has problem shifting dealership said they had no problems with the carOwner complaint, filed 2020
Since the end of 2018, about 6 months after acquiring the vehicle lease, I started to hear noises while driving the car. They sounded like creaky noises you'd hear from a car that was 10+ years old. At first, jim burke subaru dealership said they did not hear the sound, then after another four or five months went by I decided to take my…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 12,000 miles
Air bags
2 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
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
I was involve to car accident, I was a passenger the seat belt was on me and, praporly lucked to the seat. The driver airbag deploey. He didnt get any damege to his body. And my iarbag did not deploey cause of that I have spine fracture lambar l3-l2. It happend in 08/23/2018.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 12,000 miles
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
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
The hubcaps that were manufactured with the car and given with the car have repeatedly fallen off while driving. This is a hazard because it has almost hit other cars while driving. In the 5 years I have had this car I’ve had to replace 6 hub caps that have fallen off. When I got my tires replaced this year I was also told by the tire…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The car is less then 2 years old and it has a problem braking, it makes a rubbing noise everting time it turns while braking, at higher speeds it vibrates, and also has problem shifting dealership said they had no problems with the carOwner complaint, filed 2020
Driver assist systems
1 complaintPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
They were towing my car, and this vehicle only has one place to grab it, when the towing service was going to release my car this place to grab it broke and released, and ejected the car, if not for the handbrake it had happened a fatal accident, a car from 2018 that has these faults, I don't think so, now they must pay for the damages…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Seats and seat belts
1 complaintBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
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
I was involve to car accident, I was a passenger the seat belt was on me and, praporly lucked to the seat. The driver airbag deploey. He didnt get any damege to his body. And my iarbag did not deploey cause of that I have spine fracture lambar l3-l2. It happend in 08/23/2018.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 12,000 miles
Subaru Impreza complaints by year
Compare the 2018 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2018 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Impreza | Worse than most years | 5 |
| 2018 Toyota Corolla | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Civic | Worse than most years | 6 |
| 2018 Mazda Mazda3 | About average | 4 |
2018 Subaru Impreza recalls
Lights Headlights
- Risk
- Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Fuel system Fuel pump
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Electrical system
- Risk
- A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Electrical system
- Risk
- If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Engine and cooling Crankcase
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
2018 Subaru Impreza questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
The most reported problem areas on the 2018 Subaru Impreza are the lights, wipers and visibility (101 complaints), the electrical system (12 complaints) and the engine and cooling (11 complaints).
Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza a good year to buy?
Worse than most Impreza years. Owners filed about 1.3 times as many complaints as a typical Impreza year. The main thing to watch is the lights, wipers and visibility, which half of owners reported by about 25,000 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 2018 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Impreza. The most recent, from Aug 2022, covers the headlights. 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 2018 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 25,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the electrical system gave a mileage of about 14,000 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.
Looking at a 2018 Subaru Impreza?
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- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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