VehicleVerdict

2013 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 343 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Impreza year — the 2013 model ranks #1 of 34 Impreza years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 96 reports (28% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

343

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Impreza years?

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags9628%
Engine7622%
Electrical System3711%
Brakes247%
Transmission237%
Other216%
Steering144%
Speed Control134%
Seats93%
Lighting72%
Body & Structure62%
Seat Belts62%
Fuel System51%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Driver Assistance10%
Tires & Wheels10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V149000LightingFebruary 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

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.

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.

13V061000OtherFebruary 25, 2013 · 47,419 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I-10 ON 11/27/2019 AT 2 PM. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60- TO 65 MPH AND HIT A SUV THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ( PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. I RECEIVED CONTUSIONS FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 27, 2019 · crash

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I-10 ON 11/27/2019 AT 2 PM. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60- TO 65 MPH AND HIT A SUV THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ( PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. I RECEIVED CONTUSIONS FROM…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 27, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FAN MOTOR AND CLIMATE CONTROL FAN SPEED SWITCH BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 28, 2021 · fire

CAR WAS PARKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. I STARTED THE CAR TO PULL IT INTO THE GARAGE. AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, IT SHOT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED AND CRASHED INTO A TRAILER AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE. THE IMPACT FROM THE TRAILER BROKE A HOLE IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 22, 2020 · crash

TO START OFF I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE FELT MY CLUTCH STARTING TO SHIFT THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH FLYWHEEL AND THROTTLE BEARING. TOOK IT TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BEARING WHICH WAS COMPLETELY WARPED CLUTCH WAS GOOD BUT REPLACED ANYWAY BECAUSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 25, 2018 · crash

2013 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 2013 Subaru Impreza reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 343 complaints put the 2013 model at #1 of 34 Impreza years. It is one of the Impreza years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Impreza problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (96 complaints), engine (76 complaints), electrical system (37 complaints).

Does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?

Based on 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 record among Impreza years belongs to 1990.

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Impreza?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Subaru Impreza earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.