NHTSA Complaint #10945798 — 2011 SUBARU IMPREZA ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10945798
Vehicle	2011 SUBARU IMPREZA
Component	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Date of Incident	January 10, 2017
Date Filed	January 17, 2017
Mileage	85,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	Yes
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	WA

Consumer Description

WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF STARTING THE VEHICLE ACTIVATING THE SEAT HEATER ASSOCIATED TO THE DRIVER SEAT A BURNING SMELL BEGAN TO BECOME APPARENT IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. EVENTUALLY THE SMELL DEVELOPED INTO PAIN IN THE LEGS AND THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. THE SEAT HEATER WAS STILL OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY AND SUPPLYING ENERGY TO THE SYSTEM AS IT WAS IGNITING THE DRIVER SEAT. THIS EVENT OCCURED ON 140TH IN RENTON, WASHINGTON. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROADWAY TRAVELING WITH TRAFFIC WHEN IT OCCURED.

Related Complaints for the 2011 SUBARU IMPREZA

Other ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Complaints

#11714471 — January 30, 2026 — Smoke starting coming from around the ignition.

#11510774 — March 8, 2023 — The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine wa...

#11446679 — January 7, 2022 — Battery won’t hold a charge, randomly leaves driver stranded

#11205871 — May 6, 2019 — TAKATA RECALL, BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE. WE LIVE IN A SMALL ALASKAN BUSH TOWN CALLED DILLINGHAM THAT'S NOT ON TH...

#11185557 — March 9, 2019 — RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH BUT DEALERSHIP (SUBARU WAKEFIELD) HAS SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS...

Recent Complaints for the 2011 SUBARU IMPREZA

#11685042 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY — September 4, 2025 — The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the sunroof ex...

#11590793 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER — May 26, 2024 — None

#11426506 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — July 26, 2021 — 2011 Subaru WRX STI would not start, the fuel pump connector power pin on the fuel pump melted also burned the connec...

#11417397 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — May 17, 2021 — I experienced a sudden acceleration issue when parking my car in January 2020. As I was pulling into my parking spot ...

#11257127 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — September 21, 2019 — THE GAS TANK IS SLOWLY LEAKING NEAR THE SEAM DUE TO CORROSION FROM SALT AND MOISTURE BEING CAUGHT UP IN THERE FROM T...