Model year record

2013 Subaru Impreza

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 355 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V149000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,303,530
Reported to NHTSA
2019-02-28
Owners notified
2019-04-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V772000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
165,534
Reported to NHTSA
2018-11-01
Owners notified
2018-12-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V738000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
100,127
Reported to NHTSA
2016-10-13
Owners notified
2016-12-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V061000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
47,419
Reported to NHTSA
2013-02-25
Owners notified
2013-04-22

Defect description

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 dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags8057,000 mi
Engine7666,800 mi
Electrical system3184,000 mi
Power train2597,000 mi
Service brakes2527,000 mi
Unknown or other2260,800 mi
Steering1648,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1327,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification1279,000 mi
Seats965,000 mi
Exterior lighting870,215 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger580,000 mi
Seat belts519,494 mi
Structure: body530,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)460,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system467,404 mi
Engine and engine cooling240,000 mi
Visibility/wiper212,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition136,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner13,200 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Fuel system, gasoline13,200 mi
Seat belts: front1
Service brakes, hydraulic1125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Structure: frame and members170,215 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly175,000 mi
Wheels173,723 mi

The 2012 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.