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 1990 is the cleanest year on record.
3,440
Total complaints
58
Recall campaigns
1990–2025
Years covered
12
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Impreza years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 343 | |
| 2002 | High complaint rate | 339 | |
| 2012 | High complaint rate | 337 | |
| 2008 | High complaint rate | 249 | |
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 220 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 181 | |
| 2017 | High complaint rate | 162 | |
| 2014 | High complaint rate | 157 | |
| 2009 | High complaint rate | 149 | |
| 2004 | High complaints + open investigation | 113 | |
| 2016 | High complaint rate | 108 | |
| 2005 | Open safety investigation | 95 |
Every Impreza year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 50 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 19 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 100 | 1 | |
| 2019avoid | 220 | 5 | |
| 2018avoid | 181 | 5 | |
| 2017avoid | 162 | 7 | |
| 2016avoid | 108 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 99 | 2 | |
| 2014avoid | 157 | 3 | |
| 2013avoid | 343 | 4 | |
| 2012avoid | 337 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 75 | 14 | |
| 2010 | 60 | 15 | |
| 2009avoid | 149 | 15 | |
| 2008avoid | 249 | 15 | |
| 2007 | 84 | 9 | |
| 2006 | 68 | 10 | |
| 2005avoid | 95 | 6 | |
| 2004avoid | 113 | 8 | |
| 2003 | 64 | 6 | |
| 2002avoid | 339 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 54 | 4 | |
| 1999 | 27 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 55 | 3 | |
| 1997 | 38 | 3 | |
| 1996 | 25 | 3 | |
| 1995 | 69 | 4 | |
| 1994 | 8 | 3 | |
| 1993 | 48 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 2 | 0 |
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 1990.
What is the best year for the Subaru Impreza?
By complaint volume, 1990 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 3,440 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.