2012 Subaru Impreza engine problems

The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 56 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Engine complaints

17%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Impreza engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

18V772000EngineNovember 1, 2018 · 165,534 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

What owners report

“I SIDESWIPED A PARKED CAR AND THE MOMENTUM CAUSED MY CAR TO FLIP OVER AND LAND ON ITS ROOF. HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE ADJUSTER BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THE CAR IS "TOTALED". WRITING TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I ALSO WROTE TO SUBARU TO ADVISE THEM THAT I THINK THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BUT NONE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 56 complaints about the 2012 Subaru Impreza engine — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Subaru Impreza engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 18V772000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.