VehicleVerdict

2012 Subaru Impreza electrical system problems

The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 31 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

31

Electrical System complaints

9%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Impreza electrical system complaints by model year37 complaints1993: 2 complaints1995: 5 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 3 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 7 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 2 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 31 complaints2013: 37 complaints2014: 19 complaints2015: 20 complaints2016: 16 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 4 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 3 complaints
Impreza electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16V738000Electrical SystemOctober 13, 2016 · 100,127 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED OUT THE PANEL WHERE THE SWITCH WAS LOCATED AND NOTICED THAT THE SWITCH WAS BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 18, 2016 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2012 Subaru Impreza electrical system — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Subaru Impreza electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 16V738000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.