Here Are The Subaru Impreza Years To Avoid
We've identified five Subaru Impreza years to avoid. See which ones (and which Impreza years are safe to buy used) so you can approach your used car shopping process with confidence.
The hallmark qualities of Subaru vehicles are their reliability, ruggedness, and efficiency. If you’re looking for a humble family compact sedan with high safety scores and impressive fuel efficiency, the Subaru Impreza can be a good buy.
In terms of reliability, the entire Impreza lineup is far from perfect. As per RepairPal, the Subaru Impreza has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, about as decent as it gets.
When shopping for this compact sedan, you need to know which Subaru Impreza years to avoid to make the most out of your investment. Some model years are more reliable than others, like all vehicles. Keep reading to learn more.
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Which Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid?
Below are the worst Subaru Impreza years to avoid based on reported reliability issues and a number of complaints:
- 2006 Subaru Impreza
- 2008 Subaru Impreza
- 2010 Subaru Impreza
- 2012 Subaru Impreza
- 2013 Subaru Impreza
2006 Subaru Impreza
While the 2006 Subaru Impreza is far from the worst model year in the lineup, it does have 80 complaints and a whopping ten recalls, as per Car Complaints.
Its top problem has to do with its problematic transmission system. Frustrated owners claimed that the transmission simply gave out on them, and shifting became cumbersome and unsafe. To make matters worse, Subaru dealers refused to cover and fix the problem and said that the problem was due to abuse.
Another area of concern is the Impreza’s leaky head gasket. Many Impreza owners have reported they had to get their head gasket replaced because it’s leaking oil. Unfortunately, this defect happened at a low mileage of 71,550 miles.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA
Let’s examine the most reliable years, the general reliability of the Subaru Impreza model, the least reliable years, and everything else you should know about this vehicle.
2008 Subaru Impreza
Regarding the number of complaints, the 2008 Subaru Impreza is the biggest loser. With 297 NHTSA complaints and a whopping 15 recalls, the 2008 Impreza is one of the worst Subaru Impreza years to avoid.
The bulk of the complaints is about the car’s windshields/windows that seem to have a film. The film isn’t just a primary source of annoyance for drivers, but it can impede the passengers’ view of the road. During the nighttime, the film would reflect lights coming from the traffic. Many drivers have reported this problem at around 2,900 miles, which means the Impreza is essentially brand-new.
Like the 2006 model, the 2008 Impreza also suffers from a leaky head gasket, causing oil to leak. The problem was observed around 82,600 miles, and the most common fix is to replace the head gasket altogether.
2010 Subaru Impreza
The 2010 Subaru Impreza is yet another problematic model year that prospective buyers should keep an eye on. Consumer Reports gave the 2010 Impreza a dismal reliability rating of 1 out of 5. Also, it has 15 recalls which are far too many as far as reliability is concerned.
Most of the complaints about the 2010 Impreza were about its electronics, including its tire pressure monitor, gauges, warning lights, and USB ports. Fixing these assortments of in-car electronics issues can be expensive.
Furthermore, the 2010 Impreza is one of the many models outfitted with faulty Takata airbags. Apparently, the inflators in the Takata airbags can disintegrate after prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
2012 Subaru Impreza
The 2012 version is the worst Impreza model year in the lineup as per Car Complaints. The 2012 model racked up 332 NHTSA complaints, six recalls, and its problems were relatively severe and expensive to fix.
While the 2012 Impreza offers good handling and responsiveness, it’s the most susceptible to sudden and accidental acceleration. As many owners have put on the miles on the car, they reported loud revving noises and sudden speed surges while driving at low speeds or even idling. This massive safety hazard happens at around 40,000 miles and may cost $4,000 in repairs.
The 2012 Impreza is also likely to develop transmission problems. Aside from the transmission failing, drivers may shift to the wrong gears or randomly speed up while reversing. According to a few complainants, they had to spend around $7,500 to fix the transmission issues.
2013 Subaru Impreza
With the 2013 model year, the Impreza is back with a few familiar problems. Car Complaints logged 320 NHTSA complaints and four recalls for the 2013 Subaru Impreza.
For 2013, the transmission issue returns from last year, affecting the Impreza’s CVT. Several owners have reported transmission issues like slipping while shifting and difficulty with shifting. That is if the transmission system doesn’t outright fail at all. Due to how complex CVT systems are, not many shops can repair them, so drivers must spend on replacements.
Additionally, there were several reports of high oil consumption, which could indicate engine problems. In some cases, replacing the rod bearings and piston rings may fix the leaks. However, some owners have had to rebuild their engines which undoubtedly costs more.
Which Subaru Impreza Years are Safe to Buy Used?
Now that we’ve wrapped up the Subaru Impreza years to avoid let’s move on to the models you can safely buy.
2011 Subaru Impreza
The 2011 Impreza is a pleasant, comfortable, and sure-footed subcompact car. The vehicle comes standard with an all-wheel-drive, offers good ride quality and a quiet cabin, and has a strong value proposition. If you’re going for an older model, this is it.
It does have a few recorded reliability woes but mostly minor ones. Price range for a used 2011 Impreza is $7,900 to $22,950, depending on the trim.
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2017 Subaru Impreza
For a newer model, the 2017 Impreza offers excellent value. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, has sleeker styling, and has a top-notch safety system. At 32 mpg combined, the 2017 model is a strong candidate for a daily commuter. Just don’t count on it to give a strong performance.
Again, it does have its fair share of issues, but it belongs to one of the more reliable Impreza generations. The price range for a used 2017 Impreza is between $17,000 and $25,500.
Common Subaru Impreza Problems
Here are some of the most common problems that may hurt the Impreza’s reliability:
- Engine Issues: The Subaru Impreza has had its share of engine problems, particularly with models from 2006, 2008, and 2012. These include excessive oil consumption that sometimes requires replacing piston rings and rod bearings to address leaks. Older models also frequently had issues with blown head gaskets, especially once they reached around 100,000 miles.
- Transmission Problems: Certain models of the Impreza, notably from 2012 to 2013 and in 2015, were prone to transmission failures. These problems ranged from gears shifting incorrectly to the car unexpectedly speeding up while in reverse or hesitating before lunging forward when the gas pedal was pressed. Repairs for these issues can be expensive and complex.
- Sudden Acceleration: Some 2012 Subaru Impreza units experienced sudden, unintended acceleration, often at lower speeds or while idling. This posed significant safety risks and usually resulted in expensive repair bills to correct what could potentially lead to serious accidents.
- Air Bag Issues: The Subaru Impreza was among the vehicles affected by the widespread Takata airbag recall due to propellant degradation that could cause the inflator to explode, risking serious injury or death. To resolve this issue, Subaru recalled and replaced the airbag inflators in affected models.
Keep an eye out for these issues when buying a used Impreza.
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