How the 2020 compares
About average for the Impreza
Owners filed about 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 7,000 miles.
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 85 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Subaru Impreza. The most reported problem area is the lights, wipers and visibility (57, 67% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the electrical system. That ranks 7th of 13 Impreza years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 1 recall.
Complaints85filed with NHTSA
Recalls1for this model year
Crashes22 injuries reported
Fires2reported in complaints
1 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 2020 Subaru Impreza before you buy.
Lights, wipers and visibility
57 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 7,000 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
For the second year in a row my windshield has cracked. Nothing hit it, or happened to make it crack. Both cracks were long and coming from the bottom of the windshield under the passenger wiper blade. I noticed it today, 4/28/26 and the same thing happened in the beginning of April last year with the same circumstances (or lack thereof).Owner complaint, filed 2026
While car was parked. Front windshield developed crack in the lower mid section of windshield. There was no damage to windshield that would have resulted in cracking. Crack has since spread.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
5 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
A loud rumbling noise and vibration occurs while braking at high speed. Braking force seems unaffected but the noise in concerning. Upon inspection and a test drive, Subaru confirmed the issued and noticed uneven brake pad wear on the front brakes and leakage in the front caliper. Subaru recommended replacement of front calipers, pads…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Reference complaint no.11684658 confirmed. From email from Tech representative "VDC HYDRAULIC UNIT [VIN]. IT IS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THERE ARE SENSORS INSIDE THAT MEASURE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE. THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR IS STUCK AT NEGATIVE 59 BAR. SHOULD BE ZERO AT REST. NOTHING TO DO WITH EYESIGHT THAT LIGHT WILL COME…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Electrical system
4 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
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 2020 Subaru Impreza hatchback was purchased new from a Subaru dealer. Approximately, one year after purchase the vehicle started to exhibit hard starting. That is when the key is turned on the engine did not immediately turn over but there began an increased hesitation overtime before engine would turn over. It demonstrated issues of…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The electrical system failed and battery then exploded. The vehicle is behind held at a tow yard and has been inspected by allied insurance CPI of tower federal credit union. It is available to be inspected for the time being but will be scrapped soon. Both my safety and the safety of others was at risk- this occurred in a Wendy’s drive…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
3 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
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 2020 subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. After stopping the vehicle and inspecting under the hood, the engine was restarted and the vehicle operated as designed. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The cause of…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 10,000 miles
On 3 separate occasions since I've had my car, it has powered off completely without warning while driving. This is very dangerous could cause a severe accident or death. I called a tow truck on 3 separate occasions (1/27/23; 2/26/24; 2/28/24) to take it to the dealer or car repair business. Then after 20 - 30 minutes, it starts up again…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Driver assist systems
3 complaintsPhantom 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
Reference complaint no.11684658 confirmed. From email from Tech representative "VDC HYDRAULIC UNIT [VIN]. IT IS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THERE ARE SENSORS INSIDE THAT MEASURE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE. THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR IS STUCK AT NEGATIVE 59 BAR. SHOULD BE ZERO AT REST. NOTHING TO DO WITH EYESIGHT THAT LIGHT WILL COME…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The Eye Sight warning system is activated occasionally and VDC is cut off. The dealer diagnosed code C1742, and recommended replacing the control unit due to a pressure sensor issue after measurement. The units are on back order, which indicates to me a wider spread problem. VDC units should not fail even after 10 years.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Air bags
3 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 got into an accident going 60 miles an hour I crash into a guardrail totaled the car but no airbags deployed I broke my wrist and dislocated my thumbOwner complaint, filed 2026
Passenger Air-bag igniter's wiring shorted out releasing gas into car. The windows were up and the car was not running. I was sitting in passenger side went to light my cigarette and with no warning at all KABOOM!!! Car exploded catching my hair on fire as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on hands and 1st and 2nd degree burns on face.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Body, doors and structure
2 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
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
Both rear doors will intermittently not open when unlocked from both the inside or the outside. I am unsure if this is electrical or related to the door components itself. This is a hazard because passengers have been locked in the back of the car, and needed to climb out from the front or needed me to open the door from the outside if…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The problem has been recognized as a vehicle that is not meeting manufacturer specifications by the Subaru from Pembroke Pines. Shifting and harm is visible to frame and vehicle is having clonking and parts are touching.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Steering
1 complaintLoss 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
The problem has been recognized as a vehicle that is not meeting manufacturer specifications by the Subaru from Pembroke Pines. Shifting and harm is visible to frame and vehicle is having clonking and parts are touching.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Suspension
1 complaintClunks 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
For a new car that is less than a year old,5000 mile,the chassis parts fall off during driving,which is too dangerous in motion - on a city street -turningOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,000 miles
Wheels and tires
1 complaintTire 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
P205/50R17 Driver side rear tire suddenly experiencing lots of pressure compared to others. Example 27.7 psi on a subject tire compared to 32.0 psi on others after approximately one week of garage storage. Upon inspection, tread separation/ visible cracking is visible on approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the tire. No warning…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Subaru Impreza complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | About average | 1 |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | Worse than most years | 3 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | One of the better years | 5 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | One of the better years | 2 |
2020 Subaru Impreza recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2020 Subaru Impreza, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.
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.
2020 Subaru Impreza questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Subaru Impreza?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Subaru Impreza are the lights, wipers and visibility (57 complaints), the brakes and stability control (5 complaints) and the electrical system (4 complaints).
Is the 2020 Subaru Impreza a good year to buy?
About average for the Impreza. Owners filed about 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 7,000 miles. 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 2020 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Subaru Impreza. The most recent, from Jul 2021, covers the fuel pump. 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 2020 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the lights, wipers and visibility gave a mileage of about 7,000 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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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model