2019 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
194 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
11,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 194 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 3.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
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 | 63 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 55 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
Exterior Lighting: 63; Visibility/Wiper: 55; Unknown Or Other: 26; Electrical System: 19; Engine: 8; Service Brakes: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Steering: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 46 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 46; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (46). 128 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 37 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2019: 12; 2020: 26; 2021: 37; 2022: 18; 2023: 53; 2024: 29; 2025: 10; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 11165423 · 2019-01-05 (January 5, 2019)
SRS AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. CAR ONLY GAS 150 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11165423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11185650 · 2019-03-10 (March 10, 2019)
AFTER OWNING MY CAR FOR FIVE MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED AGAIN I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT SUBARU IS USING ON THE IMPREZA VEHICLE
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11185650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11195959 · 2019-04-13 (April 13, 2019)
CAR WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT. AT 60 MPH+ YOU MUST MAKE CONSTANT SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS TO KEEP THE CAR IN YOUR LANE. IT CONSTANTLY DARTS SIDE TO SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO WILL NOT SELF CENTER AFTER A TURN. YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER THE LAST 5 DEGREES TO GET THE CAR TO GO STRAIGHT. THERE IS NO ONCENTER FEEL IN THE STEERING. THE DEALER TRIED ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL. DEALER DROVE 2 OTHER NEW CARS OFF HIS LOT AND NOTICED THE SAME CONDITION SO HE CONTACTED SUBARU
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 11195959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11221895 · 2019-06-22 (June 22, 2019)
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. I WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED TO PLUG IN MY PHONE WHEN THE WINDSHIELD POPPED AND CRACKED. THERE WAS NO FLYING DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD THEN OR PREVIOUSLY. WE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT BECAUSE WE FELT IT WAS A STRESS CRACK, BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T AND THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11221895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222002 · 2019-06-23 (June 23, 2019)
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HAS 3,000 MILES AND THE WAS NO PREVIOUS ROCK OR STONE IMPACT OR CHIP.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222002 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11240289 · 2019-07-29 (July 29, 2019)
IN LESS THAN 3,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP THE WINDSHIELD STARTED MAKING CREAKING NOISES AND WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT SUDDENLY GAVE WAY TO A STRESS CRACK ABOUT 14 INCHES LONG ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY UP THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTING AT THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11240289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11243254 · 2019-08-12 (August 12, 2019)
AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A MONTH, I NOTICED THE HOOD HAD BECOME UNEVEN WHERE IT MEETS THE FRONT END. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE A WIDER GAP BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE RIGHT FENDER THAN ON THE LEFT SIDE. THIS GAP HAS WIDENED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ALBANY SUBARU, THE SERVICE MANAGER MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT MADE MINIMAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HOOD WHERE IT MEETS THE FRONT END, THOUGH IT IS STILL UNEVEN. THE RUBBER GASKET STILL DOESN'T FILL THE GAP. THIS MADE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RIGHT FENDER AND HOOD EVEN WIDER. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ALBANY SUBARU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11243254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11243542 · 2019-08-13 (August 13, 2019)
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY. WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH OPEN ROAD AT 40MPH AND HEARD THE SOUND OF A CRACK. I LOOK TO MY PASSENGER SIDE AND A LONG CRACK WAS THERE. THE CRACK ITSELF STARTS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS AND MAKES ITS WAY UP AND ACROSS. AGAIN, DRIVING DOWN AN OPEN ROAD SO THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME TO KICK UP DEBRIS.
Owner-reported narrative. 525 miles reported. Look up ODI 11243542 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 ↗20V218000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-04-16 (April 16, 2020)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
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 ↗