7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
83,650 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
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problem #4

Sep 302020

Impreza Premium 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 107,124 miles

This is a safety issue. The seat bag error light sometimes comes on when I start the car, sometimes it does not. No way to tell if and when the passenger will get airbag protection. This is a serious problem. I would very much like to see it addressed, complaining about this issue is not a fix.

Update from Jun 10, 2021: Seat bag error light comes on in hot humid weather. However, same concern, does this mean it is not functioning when the light is on? It seem to me that it cannot be working. Also is passenger is in front passenger seat the indicator does not recognize that a passenger is sitting there... There ought to be a fix for this.

Update from Aug 25, 2021: The seat bag indicator light in my 2013 Impreza (manual) goes on in humid weather: all fall, winter, and spring it's fine, as soon as humid summer weather comes... the light goes on.

So I assume that because the light is on the air bags won't work! It seems like a pretty bad problem to me; and from what I can see I am not the only one with this issue. I'll report it as often as I can, but that would mean reporting it every humid summer day...

No, I am not happy that Subaru does not deal with this... I have actually written Subaru... their reply: "take it to a dealer"... Oh boy, pay for fixing a defect!

- bobrmbob, Falmouth, US

problem #3

Aug 192017

Impreza

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,909 miles

I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. When there is a passenger sitting in the front seat, the passenger airbag OFF light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is OFF when someone is sitting in the seat. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. This video was taken on August 19th, 2017 in Charleston, SC.

I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I’m driving in a hot and humid location like Charleston, SC, I’m coming back from the beach or river, or the passenger just finished working out and their butt is sweaty.

There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall.

I was quoted that this repair would cost $808, as it would involve replacing the seat bottom. I do not think that I should have to pay for a repair of something that is a known, widespread issue among Subaru Imprezas. I think that my car should be repaired under this recall. This problem is alarming, given that the air bag may not function properly if the car was involved in an accident.

- Pam C., Blacksburg, VA, US

problem #2

Aug 222017

Impreza

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,374 miles

I purchased my 2013 Subaru Impreza as a certified pre-owned vehicle with ~54,000 miles on it in August 2016. Over the last year, I noticed an intermittent problem with the occupant airbag sensor in the front passenger seat. When there is a passenger sitting in the front seat, the passenger airbag OFF light will come on, and the red air bag light in the driver information center will come on- meaning that the airbag is OFF when someone is sitting in the seat. Initially, I thought this could have been a fluke so I took the wait and see approach. This spring, the problem started happening more, so I've since started documenting the problem every time it happens. This video was taken on August 22nd, 2017 in Virginia.

I noticed that this problem happens more when the passenger side is damp, whether it is because I’m driving in a hot and humid location like Charleston, SC, I’m coming back from the beach or river, or the passenger just finished working out and their butt is sweaty.

There is a recall for other 2012 Imprezas for this exact problem, but my car, which has the same sensors as the recalled ones for the 2012 Impreza, is not covered by the recall.

I was recently quoted that the repair, involving replacing the passenger seat frame and cushion assembly would cost $808. I do not think that I should have to pay for a repair of something that is a known, widespread issue among Subaru Imprezas. I think that my car should be repaired under this recall. This problem is alarming, given that the air bag may not function properly if the car was involved in an accident.

- Pam C., Blacksburg, VA, US

problem #1

May 012017

Impreza Premium 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 93,000 miles

The SRS airbag light will come on after driving about 5 miles, even with a passenger occupying the seat. The light next to the clock will change from passenger airbag on to off. I have contacted the dealer and they advised me I'd have to pay to fix it. After researching a little, I found that the 2012 subaru imprezas were recalled for this very same issues and several reports say that the same switch was used in the 2013 impreza but they are not included in this recall.

- Shauna S., Canton, US