2012 Subaru Impreza: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Impreza years.
One of the Subaru Impreza years to avoid. All Impreza years
482 owner complaints, most about air bags. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Impreza?The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 482 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Subaru Impreza vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Impreza years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Impreza?
Across the 31 Impreza model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2023) to 492 (2013). With 482 complaints, the 2012 Impreza sits above the model's median of 68.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Impreza
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 19V149000Subaru 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.
electrical system
Campaign 16V738000Subaru 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.
air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Campaign 15V419000Subaru 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.
electrical system
Campaign 13V061000Subaru 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.
Show 2 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 11V562000SUBARU 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 18V772000Subaru 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Impreza. See the full Impreza owner picture and every model year.
Other Impreza model years
Compare every Impreza year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Impreza against its rivals
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