10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,548 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

Jul 222023

Impreza

  • miles
I have been having continuous problems with engine light coming on w the wheel skid light also. I went to Auto Zone and the codes P000D, C1422, P00700 and others. I took vehicle to Subaru to inspect for repair September 11, 2021 The oil temp, traction control light, ABS, and hill control light went off, but the engine light came back on. I left it alone didn't bother with it, figured nothing could be done. I then went to another auto shop on November 28, 2022 because it did bother me about the engine light, someone mention it was dangerous driving w the light on because something could actually be wrong. Also, this shop was to be cheaper. The codes repaired were P000A, P000C, drove off lot engine light came back on. I know it was time for my E- check so I thought I'd give it another try back at Subaru. On July 14, 2023 for repair of engine light. The tests showed repairs for P00A, P00D. They told me they were repairing the vehicle. I left Subaru and about 5 minutes of leaving the engine light came back on. I called them and stated the light was back on, they told me to come in and they could look at it, but I don't have another $ $729 to keep giving these auto shops. I had and E-check on July 22, 2023 and didn't pass because of codes P0021 and P000C.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #19

Dec 212021

Impreza

  • miles
Got 2 codes on secondary air system p2440, p0410. Witch restricted me from passing safety inspection and have a check engine light. It seems to be an on going common problem.

- Boscawen, NH, USA

problem #18

Nov 162021

Impreza

  • miles
Key gets stuck.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #17

Aug 202021

Impreza

  • miles
Was traveling normally and suddenly car abruptly stopped with engine running.

- Chelmsford, MA, USA

problem #16

Jun 182021

Impreza

  • miles
Was driving on I-70 in Colorado going 60-65 mph uphill when all indicator lights came on and AT (Automatic Transition) Oil Temp light began flashing. Check Engine, Hill Assist, ABS, and Traction Control lights all came on steady on. Had to pull over and had significant power loss during driving. Googled what AT Oil Temp light meant and called a tow truck to take to my mechanic. Mechanic initially indicated it could be valve body problem which in his words is a "known issue with Subaru CVT engines." Code pulled was p2764. They ended up pulling the pan and draining fluid and found excessive metal built up on magnet in pan. This pan and headgasket were repaired less than 6k miles ago (October 2020) and at that time they said everything was in good shape so something drastic happened to CVT in less than a year. Mechanic unable to say what caused the excessive buildup in that time. Safety compromised as left on side of very busy highway waiting for tow - we were also concerned with whether or not car would overheat/catch on fire due to AT oil being over 200 degrees. Problem confirmed by our mechanic and indicated that we need a full transmission replacement. No other warnings prior to this event. Maintenance is current and in 2018 performed recall service indicated by Subaru for valve spring issue.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #15

Jan 022021

Impreza

  • miles
My horn suddenly stopped working. I googled extensively this issue and it is very common among Subaru owners of many different model years. This is a crucial safety concern since most people rarely use their horn, but when you need it, for example, a deer in the road or an inattentive driver crossing a centerline, you REALLY NEED IT! It seems to me Subaru is guilty of planned obsolescence. My car reached 144K miles and suddenly the dash is ablaze with idiot lights, multiple colors, some flashing, some not. My local mechanic gave me an estimate of $2,000 to fix everything. A Subaru dealer, $2900. I realize many items are wear and tear, but the horn, it should not suddenly quit working. I do not live in NYC and rarely use it. My local mechanic said $200 to fix the horn. Subaru dealer said $800. It is not a simple fuse. An expensive part within the steering wheel needs to be replaced. Thank you for reading my complaint. Sincerely, [XXX][XXX], New Haven, VT [XXX] [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- New Haven, VT, USA

problem #14

Apr 302020

Impreza

  • miles
I started my vehicle after sitting overnight. After backing out of my driveway and driving maybe 20 seconds the passenger window switch began smoking, after maybe 10 seconds the window switch began melting into itself very quickly. Less than 1 minute later my entire car my car was engulfed in flames in my driveway (thank god I made it back). This all happened within 2 minutes of me starting the car.

- Snohomish, WA, USA

problem #13

Jul 142020

Impreza 4-cyl

  • miles
Key won't come out of ignition. If steering wheel locks, key will not turn ignition or come out leaving me stranded for several minutes. This happens more and more frequently.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #12

Apr 152020

Impreza

  • 93,000 miles
When I turn off the car I cant remove the key from the ignition

- Covington, WA, USA

problem #11

Mar 182020

Impreza

  • 240,000 miles
Once vehicle is parked, ignition switch will not release the key.

- Spring Mills, PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012018

Impreza

  • 80,000 miles
Spot welds to the firewall fail/break for the clutch and brake pedale assembly so itlll have a delay in actuation over time due to the welds breaking and because of that the assembly bar will fracture and break over time which will need to be replaced or else braking actuation will be delayed when pressed, this is all while in motion over time of pressing and depressing, popular complaint and issue known that outside companies sell brackets to help with the welds failing and the assembly cracking

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 112019

Impreza

  • 87,050 miles
Shortly after getting valve spring replacement work done at hunter Subaru in hendersonville nc the ac condesnser seized up. Shop is not standing behind work done during recall including a ac refrigerant removal and replacement and cleaning of hoses and lines. Ac condensers dont just seize up less than 3K miles after being serviced, they are killed by lack of lubrication or improper pressures. Subaru of America will not respond either. Poor job by both. Dealer wants to charge $1200 to fix their mistake. Criminals. I would not have done my warranty work at hunter if I knew they were going to mess around with other systems in the vehicle. Ac is critical to keep vision clear during driving. Car stuttered and nearly stalled when ac unit "seized" and the car smelled like burning plastic. Scary

- Arden, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 012019

Impreza

  • miles
Complaint regarding: Subaru passenger-airbag occupant detection system (ods). Passenger airbag signal turns on and off unexpectedly during the following circumstances: Passenger in the seat and the car is stationary, no passenger in the seat and the car is stationary, passenger in the seat when car is in motion in the street, passenger in the seat when car is in motion on the highway, no passenger is in the seat and car is in motion in the street and highway. Passenger seat was not wet at any time. Laptop and cell phone was on the seat (backpack or passenger lap), or in close proximity in most incidents. Any passenger occupant has always been an adult meeting the state and federal safety regulations. Resource to explain concern in greater detail. And to express deep concern that the Impreza 2012 sensor recall was not extended to the Impreza 2013 year: Https://www.caranddriver.com/news/A15353278/Subaru-recalls-32000-Imprezas-for-airbag-sensors/ resource for Impreza 2012 and 2013 ods mechanism: Https://www.stanleysubaru.com/blog/2012/August/6/how-does-the-occupant-detection-system-ods-work-in-my-Subaru.htm

- Palo Alto, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 032018

Impreza

  • 16,000 miles
Subaru recall from October 2018. The car is starting to stall while driving. Subaru is now telling me that I have to wait until late may to have my car repaired. This is unsafe and is my only vehicle for work. During driving on the expressway between 30 and 60mph or on city streets between 20-30pmh, the car just slows way down by itself and the hill start/assist warning light keeps coming on and periodically the vehicle dynamics control light also comes on. These issues have been ongoing and periodic but more and more frequent since December 2018.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #6

Mar 022018

Impreza

  • miles
I'm having the issue of my ignition not releasing my keys I have to spen 5 to 30 minutes to finally get my keys out I have to reverse and park and turn the steering wheels back in forth and push my brakes really hard and Subaru wants to charge me 120 to diginose it when two out four said it's my gear control shifter and of just oredingme the part and fix

- Mabton, WA, USA

problem #5

Dec 022018

Impreza

  • miles
The valve springs recall has been issued since 10/31 with no remedy. This could be a potentially harmful thing! would like an update or at least get my car fixed

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #4

Sep 012018

Impreza

  • 100 miles
Ignition mechanism will not fully rotate completely to allow key to be removed from ignition housing. Car turns off but key will not release. Unknown what eventually releases the mechanism for the key to turn and come out but usually takes some minutes, doors or electric locks open/close, starting the car again and driving more... don't know. All has worked and not worked.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 132018

Impreza

  • 60,800 miles
The glass sunroof exploded while driving on the freeway. There were no external influences that would trigger such a catastrophic failure - temperature was moderate, no other vehicles in close proximity and no flying debris. Luckily, I had the interior screen closed, or I would have been showered with broken glass.

- Novato, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 152015

Impreza

  • 12,000 miles
Driving at low speed and hit a small bump in very cold weather (5F). Windshield made a popping sound. The car was parked a week later when the windshield developed a spontaneous crack along the drivers side frame. There was absolutely no impact. This is a serious safety and manufacturing issue that needs to be addressed. Other folks are reporting a similar issue with these vehicles.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 052014

Impreza

  • 2,000 miles
December 19, 2013, I purchased a Subaru Impreza from koeppel Subaru in long island city, N.Y. the dealership told me the car was "brand new" and used only for test drives. After 5 months of driving the car, the car began to have problems to start. Putting the key in the ignition, there was no response. The car door had to be opened manually. The airbag warning light on the passenger side would not go off regardless of the seat being empty or occupied. Someone gave me a "boost" which started the car. I was able to drive and then parked the car. I went on vacation for two weeks. After the car being unused for two weeks, again the car would not start. I informed the dealership of this problem and was advised by them to have the car towed to any Subaru dealership for repair. The car was towed to bayridge Subaru which evaluated the car and said that the car had a dead cell in the battery. Subaru dealers were informed in April of 2013 that Impreza had a defect which cause electrical problems in the car leading to the battery dying and engine problems. Koeppel Subaru did not inform me of this recall before I purchased the car in December of 2013. They also did not inform me that the car was previously corporate owned. I believe that koeppel should have informed me about the recall as well as the fact that it was used as a "loaner" before I purchased the car. I believe koeppel Subaru committed consumer fraud by not informing me of the recall and the car's history before purchase. I do not feel safe driving the car and simply want a refund of my down payment ($5,000) and car payments made up to current date. Koepell Subaru should be investigated for their practices in selling used cars. I refuse to pay bayridge Subaru $35/day for storage of this unsafe car. Koeppel Subaru is in violation of consumer protection law.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA