2018 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
149 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 51 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 149 complaints (43.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.7% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 64 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 33 |
| Unknown Or Other | 25 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Exterior Lighting: 64; Visibility/Wiper: 33; Unknown Or Other: 25; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 11; Structure:Body: 5; Visibility:Windshield: 5; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 98 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2018: 8; 2019: 8; 2020: 23; 2021: 15; 2022: 14; 2023: 52; 2024: 23; 2025: 3; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11062801 · 2018-01-15 (January 15, 2018)
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GLASS SHATTERED IN TEMPERATURES OF -5 DEGREES WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND IN MY DRIVEWAY
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11062801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101252 · 2018-06-11 (June 11, 2018)
THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING. AT A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT AND AT A STOP SIGN. THE INCIDENT AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO START ROLLING BACKWARDS AND ALMOST HIT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. SUBARU CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THE INCIDENTS OF STALLING. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WAS PURCHASED IN THE LATER HALF OF APRIL 2018.
Owner-reported narrative. 567 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11130767 · 2018-09-22 (September 22, 2018)
THE ENGINE DIED WHILE COMING TO A RAPID STOP FROM ABOUT 35-40 MPH. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED YELLOW. AFTER PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION PARK THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, REMOVING AND REPLACING THE KEY, AND ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES THE ENGINE DID START. I WAS UNABLE, AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THEY DID, HOWEVER, PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPDATE IN THE HOPE THAT IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11133448 · 2018-10-05 (October 5, 2018)
PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW ABOUT A MONTH AGO. A LARGE FRACTURE CRACK APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE MY WINDSHIELD, ORIGINATING FROM THE BASE UNDERNEATH THE PLASTIC STRIPPING, EXTENDING UPWARD IN AN INVERTED L SHAPE. HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED INSIDE MY CLOSED GARAGE, SO THERE WAS NO REASON OR CAUSE FOR A CRACK TO OCCUR. APPARENTLY SUBARU IS AWARE OF THEIR WINDSHIELD DEFECTS AS THEY RECENTLY LOST A LAWSUIT CASE OVER THIS ISSUE FOR THEIR OUTBACK MODELS.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11133448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11141284 · 2018-10-18 (October 18, 2018)
2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR NEW, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, SOMETHING SMALL (A ROCK LIKELY, BUT IT WAS IMPERCEPTIBLE; ONLY HEARD THE SOUND) HIT THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING A SMALL CHIP, APPROXIMATELY 1 MM IN LENGTH. AFTER PARKING MY VEHICLE AND RETURNING TO IT THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND A CRACK THROUGH 75% OF MY WINDSHIELD (OUTER PASSENGER SEAT EDGE TO INSIDE EDGE OF DRIVER'S SEAT) STARTING FROM THE CHIP. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED WITH AN OEM GLASS AND RE-CALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT PER THE INSTRUCTIONS. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING O…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11141284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11150740 · 2018-11-10 (November 10, 2018)
3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING A NEW 2018 SUBARU IMPREZA, THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE EVENING BETWEEN 11/8/18 AND 11/9/18. THE WIND SHIELD HAD NOT SUSTAINED ANY IMPACTS DURING THE 3 MONTHS OF USE AND WAS ALWAYS PARKED SO THAT NOTHING COULD FALL ON IT FROM TREES ETC. THE CRACK HAD NO CHIPS ON THE MORNING OF 11/9/18, WHEN IT HAD SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED AND WAS A CLEAN GLASS FRACTURE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY ON 11/10/18 FOR REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY AS THERE ARE MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11156020 · 2018-12-04 (December 4, 2018)
THE VEHICLE IS SWAYING LEFT AND RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EVEN WITHOUT STRONG WIND.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11156020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163197 · 2018-12-23 (December 23, 2018)
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE FIRST FROST HIT I NOTICED THERE WAS A WINDSHIELD CRACK BUT IT LOOKED UNRELATED TO AN IMPACT CRACK AS IT CAME FROM THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TOWARDS THE CENTER. AFTER GETTING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED ONE WEEK LATER WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR AND IT IS WARMING UP ANOTHER CRACK APPEARS IN MY WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE WINDSHIELDS AND CRACK BUT IT LOOKED UNRELATED TO AN IMPACT CRACK AS IT CAME FROM THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED TOWARDS THE CENTER. AFTER GETTING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED ONE WEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163197 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V743000 · Electrical System:Software | Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2019-10-18 (October 18, 2019)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Consequence: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V744000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Reported: 2019-10-17 (October 17, 2019)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V264000 · Electrical System:Software | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm):Software | Electrical System:Ignition | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Reported: 2021-04-15 (April 15, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Consequence: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V624000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2022-08-12 (August 12, 2022)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
NHTSA campaign record ↗