VehicleVerdict

Subaru Impreza years to avoid

The Subaru Impreza years to avoid are 2013, 2002, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2016, 2005 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2026 is the cleanest year on record.

3,454

Total complaints

58

Recall campaigns

1990–2026

Years covered

12

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Subaru Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year344 complaints1990: 2 complaints1993: 48 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 69 complaints1996: 25 complaints1997: 38 complaints1998: 55 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 54 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 339 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 113 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 68 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 249 complaints2009: 149 complaints2010: 63 complaints2011: 75 complaints2012: 337 complaints2013: 344 complaints2014: 157 complaints2015: 99 complaints2016: 108 complaints2017: 162 complaints2018: 181 complaints2019: 224 complaints2020: 100 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 53 complaints2025: 10 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Subaru Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Impreza years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2013High complaint rate344
2002High complaint rate339
2012High complaint rate337
2008High complaint rate249
2019High complaint rate224
2018High complaint rate181
2017High complaint rate162
2014High complaint rate157
2009High complaint rate149
2004High complaints + open investigation113
2016High complaint rate108
2005Open safety investigation95

Every Impreza year

YearComplaintsRecalls
202610
2025100
2024532
202362
2022151
2021192
20201001
2019avoid2245
2018avoid1815
2017avoid1627
2016avoid1081
2015992
2014avoid1573
2013avoid3444
2012avoid3376
20117514
20106315
2009avoid14915
2008avoid24915
2007849
20066810
2005avoid956
2004avoid1138
2003646
2002avoid3396
2001133
2000544
1999274
1998553
1997383
1996253
1995694
199483
1993483
199020

Common questions

What are the worst Subaru Impreza years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Impreza years to avoid are 2013, 2002, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2016, 2005. The cleanest year on record is 2026.

What is the best year for the Subaru Impreza?

By complaint volume, 2026 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Impreza years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Subaru Impreza have?

Across all model years, the Impreza has 58 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 3,454 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.