Too new to judge fully
It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Impreza year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the wheels and tires.
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 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Subaru Impreza. The most reported problem area is the wheels and tires (2, 50% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the fuel system. That is the fewest complaints of any Impreza year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 2 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 2023 Subaru Impreza before you buy.
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 contact owns a 2023 Subaru Impreza equipped with Sailun Tires, Tire Line: Black Hawk Street UHP, Tire Size: 225/40R18, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact had purchased the tires from Amazon. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a bubble on the outside of the rear passenger's side tire in…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 48,541 miles
The original equipment (OE) tires (Size: 225/40R18) on a 2023 vehicle exhibited severe, deep concentric cracking on the outer sidewalls and near the bead/rim line of all four tires at approximately 30,000 miles. The safety of the driver and passengers was put at extreme risk as the structural integrity of the tires was compromised…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Engine and cooling
1 complaintStalling, 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
Fuel system
1 complaintHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
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
Electrical system
1 complaintDead 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.
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Subaru Impreza complaints by year
Compare the 2023 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2023 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Subaru Impreza | Too new to judge | 2 |
| 2023 Toyota Corolla | Too new to judge | 3 |
| 2023 Honda Civic | Too new to judge | 4 |
| 2023 Mazda Mazda3 | Too new to judge | 0 |
2023 Subaru Impreza recalls
Transmission and drivetrain Driveshaft
- Risk
- Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Lights Switch
- Risk
- An unintentional brake light illumination can fail to alert other motorists of actual brake application.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the gap between the brake light switch and stopper, adjusting the switch as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Impreza vehicles. The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal. The vehicle may also allow drivers to start and shift the transmission out of the PARK position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
2023 Subaru Impreza questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Impreza?
The most reported problem areas on the 2023 Subaru Impreza are the wheels and tires (2 complaints), the engine and cooling (1 complaint) and the fuel system (1 complaint).
Is the 2023 Subaru Impreza a good year to buy?
Too new to judge fully. It has been on the road 3 years, so complaints are still coming in. So far it has fewer than a typical older Impreza year, which is normal for a newer car. The area owners report most so far is the wheels and tires. 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 2023 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2023 Subaru Impreza. The most recent, from Sep 2023, covers the driveshaft. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
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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- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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