What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 Subaru Impreza

Typical pattern

2.6% of complaints about the 2013 Subaru Impreza came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (96 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 61,660 miles.

Complaints
343
Median age at failure
6.4 yr
Median mileage
66,000 n=219
Crash / fire / tow
10.8% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
96 reports · 61,660 mi
5.8 yr
4.2%
Engine
74 reports · 66,800 mi
6.4 yr
10.8%
Electrical system
33 reports · 84,000 mi
7.9 yr
6.1%
Power train
23 reports · 97,000 mi
7.0 yr
4.3%
Service brakes
23 reports · 48,000 mi
6.8 yr
30.4%
Other
21 reports · 60,800 mi
7.5 yr
9.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V149000 2019-02-28
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

18V772000 2018-11-01
Engine and engine cooling:engine

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

16V738000 2016-10-13
Electrical system

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

13V061000 2013-02-25
Electrical system

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is droppe

The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

In owners’ own words

Engine 10,000 mi 7 mo in service
I BOUGHT MY 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA AND WITH APPROX 10,000 MILES I GOT A LOW OIL LIGHT ON. I FOUND OUT MY SUBARU BURNS A QUART OF OIL EVERY 2500-3000 MILES. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A BRAND NEW CAR. SUBARU IS SELLING A LEMON. *TR
Engine 10,496 mi 1.2 yr in service
FIRST AT 10,496 THEN AT APPROXIMATELY 17,163; 19,031; AND 21,182 MILES THE LOW OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN MY CAR. BETWEEN 19,031 AND 21,182 MILES I ADDED APPROXIMATELY 4.0 QUARTS OF OIL TO MY ENGINE. THIS OIL CONSUMPTION IS EXCESSIVE. *TR
Engine mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service
CAR CONSUMES OIL EXCESSIVELY. EVERY 3000 MILES I NEED A QUART OF OIL. IT'S RIDICULOUS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR.
Air bags 1,800 mi 8 mo in service crash / fire / tow
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY RECENTLY ACQUIRED 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA, WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER HIT MY VEHICLE IN A SIDE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND DRIVER DOOR (I CAN SEND THE PICTURES VIA EMAIL). THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THIS WAS ALSO NOTED BY THE EMERGENCY CREW WHO ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT THAT SUBARU ENGINEERS NEED TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT. *TR

Other Impreza model years

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