Subaru Impreza problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Impreza from 1990 to 2026: 2,651 owner complaints and 146 recalls across 35 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2002 (292), 2013 (249), 2012 (243). Best fuel economy: 32 mpg combined (2023).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1993 | 1 | 33 | 24 | |
| 1994 | 1 | 8 | 24 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 46 | 24 | |
| 1996 | 0 | 20 | 24 | |
| 1997 | 0 | 30 | 24 | |
| 1998 | 0 | 30 | 23 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 22 | 22 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 41 | 22 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 11 | 23 | |
| 2002 | 6 | 292 | 21 | |
| 2003 | 6 | 62 | 21 | |
| 2004 | 8 | 96 | 22 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 75 | 23 | |
| 2006 | 10 | 56 | 22 | |
| 2007 | 9 | 68 | 22 | |
| 2008 | 14 | 176 | 22 | |
| 2009 | 14 | 104 | 22 | |
| 2010 | 15 | 46 | 22 | |
| 2011 | 14 | 58 | 22 | |
| 2012 | 6 | 243 | 30 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 249 | 30 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 108 | 30 | |
| 2015 | 2 | 77 | 31 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 75 | 31 | |
| 2017 | 7 | 125 | 32 | |
| 2018 | 5 | 151 | 32 | |
| 2019 | 5 | 194 | 32 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 85 | 31 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 14 | 32 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 13 | 32 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 4 | 32 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 32 | 30 | |
| 2025 | 0 | 5 | 30 | |
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | 29 |
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Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Subaru Impreza.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Subaru Impreza?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2002 (292), 2013 (249), 2012 (243).
How many recalls has the Subaru Impreza had?
Across 1990–2026, NHTSA lists 146 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).