2012 Subaru Impreza: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2012 / subaru / impreza
known issues	6 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-09)
complaints	243 on file (2011-12-12 → 2026-09-11)
recalls	6
investigations	1
fars	33 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

CVT transmission valve body and solenoid failurePOWER TRAIN15 complaints2017-04 → 2024-01subaru-impreza-2012-cvt-transmission-failure

11130193 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CURRY SUBARU, 3040 E MAIN STREET, CORTLAND, NY 10567) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTINUOUSLY
11193666 HIT A BUMP AND DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH SENSOR LIGHTS. SUBARU REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED WITH CODES AND SAID I NEED A NEW VALVE BODY FOR $1700. THE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ENDED JULY 2018, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU OR FROM MY SUBARU DEALER REGARDING THIS KNOWN
11123449 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO STOHLMANS SUBARU (8435 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VIRGINIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT

Loss of electric power steering assistSTEERING6 complaints2014-11 → 2023-09subaru-impreza-2012-power-steering-loss

10660224 CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A GROCERY STORE AND WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION ACCOMPANIED BY AN EPAS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH
11103726 DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND NOTED: "VERIFIED STEERING PULLING TO THE LEFT AND STEERING WHEEL PULLING. TECH FOLLOWED RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSTIC TREE. TECH FOUND (STEERING) GEARBOX CRACKED."
11219492 PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AFFECTING ABILITY TO STEER RIGHT. CAR NATURALLY PULLS TO THE LEFT (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC) DUE TO POWER STEERING ASSIST BEING STRONGER THAT DIRECTION. DEALER INDICATES THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE (CRACKED EPS GEAR BOX), SO

Passenger airbag warning light from occupant detection faultAIR BAGS82 complaints2014-06 → 2025-01subaru-impreza-2012-passenger-airbag-ods

11613051 The contact stated that while a relative was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where a code reader determined that there was a defect with the front passenger’s
10884469 SUBARU HAD A RECALL ON THE ODC (OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM) NHTSA 15V419000 FOR CARS PRODUCED FROM 4/2011 THROUGH 2/2012. MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN MID MARCH 2012 - AND EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. THE ODC WOULD BE DEACTIVATED IF A PASSENGER WAS IN
11634194 The front passenger seat airbag is faulty and is not able to correctly sense when a passenger is within the seat or not, which disables the airbags. This can be deadly to the passenger if in an accident. The issue seems to be in the ODS passenger seat mat that determines when

Excessive oil consumption and engine failureENGINE36 complaints2014-06 → 2023-03subaru-impreza-2012-excessive-oil-consumption

10610591 OIL LIGHT CAME ON. SUBARU MANUAL SAYS TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 7,500 MILES. THEY USE SYNTHETIC OIL WHICH IS MORE EXPENSIVE. HAD TO FIND A DEALER WHO ADDED A QUART OF OIL. HAD THE 15,000 MILE SERVICE AND LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 18,000 AND AT 19,800
10668509 OIL KEEPS RUNNING DRY BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. IT HAS BEEN REQUIRING ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 3,000 MILES. THIS HAS THE ABILITY FOR THE ENGINE TO RUN WITHOUT OIL AND SEIZE
10745993 PURCHASED THE CAR USE AT 28000 MILES. CHECKED OIL AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS FULL. DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES BEFORE A LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. SOUGHT THE HELP OF SUBARU AND GOT AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 700 MILES BURNING 16.5 QUARTS

Unintended acceleration or loss of throttle responseVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6 complaints2014-08 → 2019-06subaru-impreza-2012-unintended-acceleration

10621897 UPON ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE AND PARKING, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY HAVING JUST MADE SEVERAL TURNS WITHIN THE GARAGE AND THEN ALIGNED, AS USUAL, WITH THE LINES TO PARK. THE CAR REVVED EXTREMELY HIGH AND TOOK OFF
10894742 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES
11193113 LOST THROTTLE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY(THROTTLE DISCONNECTED?) DOING 60+MPH, CAR BEHIND ALMOST HIT ME. CODE SHOWS A FAULTY PEDAL POSITION ASSEMBLY

Heater blower connector overheating or meltingELECTRICAL SYSTEM6 complaints2017-02 → 2025-08subaru-impreza-2012-hvac-connector-overheating

11337149 ON THE HEATER CONTROLS, FOR THE FAN SPEED, THE CONNECTOR ON THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT IN TIME TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. MY MOTHER IN LAW AND MY SON RIDE THAT CAR DAILY, COULD OF BEEN A DISASTER
11633290 The AC unit suddenly shutoff and there was a burning smell while I was driving. It turns out that the connector on the back of the climate control unit had either drawn too much current, or the resistance was too high, and the connector had started burning
10950329 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

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
243	2011-12-12	2026-09-11	10	4	AIR BAGS:105; ENGINE:55; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:30; POWER TRAIN:26; SERVICE BRAKES:15

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
19V149000	28/02/2019	EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH	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.	Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.	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.
16V738000	13/10/2016	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	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.	If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.	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.
15V419000	01/07/2015	AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION	Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.	If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.	Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.
13V061000	25/02/2013	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	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.	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.	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.
11V562000	29/11/2011	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES	SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.	THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.	SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
18V772000	01/11/2018	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	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.	An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
PE15012	closed	Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression	AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	2015-04-10	2015-07-15	15V419000	The Office of Defects Investigation opened this investigation on April 10, 2015 based on 26 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports involving the passenger frontal air bag in MY 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles.These vehicles use a capacitive type Occupant Detection System (ODS), which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full sized, small stature, a child seat, or other object.The reports alleged that the ODS failed to operate properly and incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied.In a frontal crash sufficient to warrant

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	33	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/subaru/impreza

@misc{wrenchpro_2012_subaru_impreza_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Subaru Impreza},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/subaru/impreza}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)