Subaru Impreza 2012–2016
4th generation (GJ/GP)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,045 complaints, 705 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 705
- Median of reported failures
- 46,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Airbag system (26.7%)
- Recalls
- 7
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 19,000 and 77,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Subaru Impreza 2012–2016 · 705 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 120 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,554
- 25%
- 19,000
- Median
- 45,900
- 75%
- 77,000
- 90%
- 108,264
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 120 | 17.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 60 | 8.5% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 72 | 10.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 55 | 7.8% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 66 | 9.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 48 | 6.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 59 | 8.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 65 | 9.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 35 | 5.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 34 | 4.8% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 22 | 3.1% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 7 | 1.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 26 | 3.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 16 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,045 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012–2016 Subaru Impreza, and 705 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 19,000 and 77,000 miles. The median is 45,900 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (26.7% of complaints, typically around 46,000 miles), the engine (15.5% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), the electrical system (11.0% of complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
7 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2012–2016 Subaru Impreza last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2012–2016 Subaru Impreza were filed by 46,000 miles and 90% by 108,000 miles — figures drawn from 705 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
1 report (0.1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Impreza reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2012–2016 Impreza: the 3-minute check
Generated from 705 mileage-tagged complaints, 7 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine oil consumption (fb20) on 2012–2015 cars. Defective piston rings allow excessive oil consumption between changes. A class action covering FB-engine Subarus (Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, roughly MY2011-2015) settled with warranty extension to 8…
- Check lineartronic CVT (tr580) on 2012–2015 cars. Chain/pulley and valve body complaints (shudder, hesitation, failure) led Subaru to extend CVT powertrain coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles on CVT-equipped vehicles from the 2010-2015 model years.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 19,000 and 77,000 miles, with a median of 46,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 46,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Subaru Impreza 2012–2016
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Throttle and speed control46 reports34,0006,000–63,000Throttle and speed control: 46 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 6,000 to 63,000 miles.
- Electrical system115 reports45,00020,000–79,000Electrical system: 115 reports, median 45,000 miles, middle half 20,000 to 79,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise75 reports45,00024,000–80,000Problems owners could not categorise: 75 reports, median 45,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Airbag system279 reports46,00025,000–79,000Airbag system: 279 reports, median 46,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 79,000 miles.
- Brakes50 reports47,00016,000–67,000Brakes: 50 reports, median 47,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 67,000 miles.
- Engine162 reports50,00015,000–78,000Engine: 162 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 78,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline82 reports67,00031,000–103,000Transmission and driveline: 82 reports, median 67,000 miles, middle half 31,000 to 103,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 279 | 26.7% | 46,000 | 25,000–79,000 |
| Engine | 162 | 15.5% | 50,000 | 15,000–78,000 |
| Electrical system | 115 | 11.0% | 45,000 | 20,000–79,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 82 | 7.8% | 67,000 | 31,000–103,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 75 | 7.2% | 45,000 | 24,000–80,000 |
| Brakes | 50 | 4.8% | 47,000 | 16,000–67,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 46 | 4.4% | 34,000 | 6,000–63,000 |
| Steering | 39 | 3.7% | 48,000 | 22,000–74,000 |
| Seats | 33 | 3.2% | 65,000 | 30,000–83,000 |
| Body structure | 27 | 2.6% | 39,000 | 30,000–80,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Subaru Impreza 2012–2016 · 705 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 60% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.1% of reports (1) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
60% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 25,000–79,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 15,000–78,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 20,000–79,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 31,000–103,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 24,000–80,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 16,000–67,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 6,000–63,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
82% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 46,000 mi
- Engine — median 50,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 45,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 45,000 mi
- Brakes — median 47,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 34,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 31,000–103,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
91% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 46,000 mi
- Engine — median 50,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 45,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 67,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 45,000 mi
- Brakes — median 47,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 34,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 45,900 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 26.7% of complaints (279 reports, 213 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 46,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 79,000 miles.
A single system taking 26.7% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The engine accounts for 15.5% of complaints (162 reports, 95 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 78,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.0% of complaints (115 reports, 71 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 79,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.8% of complaints (82 reports, 49 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 67,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 31,000 and 103,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.2% of complaints (75 reports, 40 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 80,000 miles.
The brakes account for 4.8% of complaints (50 reports, 31 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 47,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 67,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 344 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 99. The median year sits at 157.
That makes 2013 an outlier: roughly 2.2 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 7 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,045 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 86 (8.2%)
- Fires
- 16
- Injury reports
- 26
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine Oil Consumption (fb20) 2012–2015
Defective piston rings allow excessive oil consumption between changes. A class action covering FB-engine Subarus (Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, roughly MY2011-2015) settled with warranty extension to 8 years/100,000 miles for oil-consumption repairs plus reimbursement; the Impreza classes were 2012-2013 4-door and 5-door and 2012-2015 manual-transmission cars below specified VIN breaks.
Lineartronic CVT (tr580) 2012–2015
Chain/pulley and valve body complaints (shudder, hesitation, failure) led Subaru to extend CVT powertrain coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles on CVT-equipped vehicles from the 2010-2015 model years.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 337 | 262 |
| 2013 | 344 | 220 |
| 2014 | 157 | 95 |
| 2015 | 99 | 71 |
| 2016 | 108 | 57 |
Recalls (7) — is your car included?
Apr 2019 · 2012–2016 · Exterior LightingBrake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The free fix. 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.
Dec 2018 · 2012–2014 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Dec 2016 · 2012–2014 · Electrical SystemIf the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. 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.
Aug 2015 · 2012 · Air BagsIf the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Jul 2015 · 2015 · Forward Collision AvoidanceIf the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles manufactured September 9, 2014, to April 14, 2015, XV Crosstrek vehicles manufactured October 16, 2014, to April 15, 2015, and 2016 WRX vehicles manufactured March 23, 2015, and equipped with the Eyesight Driver Assist System. If the switch that activates the brake lights fails, the automatic pre-collision braking component of the driver assist system will not function.
What can happen. If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to an obstacle in its path, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQS-54.
Apr 2013 · 2012–2013 · EquipmentThe engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes.
The defect. 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 droppe
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
Dec 2011 · 2012 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
What owners reported
With a passenger in the front seat the airbag light will turn on and the dash will report "passenger airbag off." This happens anywhere from immediately after the car is turned on, before it is placed in drive, to an hour after the car has been running. We do frequently have electronics plugged in, but i just learned…
2012 · 2 miles · Airbag system
I backed up in my driveway and shifted into drive and i noticed a lag time of about 2 seconds shifting from reverse to drive. I contacted the Subaru dealership and the staff assured me that was normal for the CVT transmission. When i took the Subaru Impreza for the 2500 mile check up and spoke to the service manager…
2012 · 45 miles · Transmission and driveline
Took delivery of vehicle that had recall wvy-35 completed pre-delivery. After approximately 45 miles of driving (65 total odometer miles), braking force dropped to near zero. Inspection revealed significant loss of brake fluid. Problem first manifested with slowly sinking brake pedal at stops, with braking still…
2012 · 65 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, he noticed that the doors would not lock on their own. The contact also stated that the doors would not open without engaging the lock button. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated…
2012 · 300 miles · Latches and locks
Built from 705 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page