2012 SUBARU IMPREZA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
336
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
72
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
The 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA has received a total of 336 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. 72 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (105 complaints), Engine (55 complaints), and Electrical System (30 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA, potentially affecting up to 3,030,592 vehicles.
Recall 19V149000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 1,303,530 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 19V149000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 1,303,530 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 18V772000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 165,534 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V738000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 100,127 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 15V419000 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
| 30,348 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V061000 — EQUIPMENT
| 47,419 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 13V061000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 47,419 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 11V562000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
| 32,685 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
336 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 105 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 55 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 30 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tiressidewall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The fan controls in the center of the dash failed. Fan speed 1&2 work, but 3&4 do not. After pulling the center dash controls out, I found that the plug connecting the fan speed controls to the wiring harness was burnt. This is a concern cause it could have burned other components or caused a fire.
HVAC plug pigtail Blower motor resistor Heater control harness Is available for inspection HVAC electrical plugin was badly burned and melted causing risk of fire Summer months created dangerous interior temperatures Winter months & inclement weather created physical distress- & created dangerous vision restrictions/blockage because unable to use defroster Dangerous cab temperatures, limited or blocked vision through windshield created physical distress and distraction for me thus others and property were at elevated risk Yes confirmed by garage. No inspection performed. No warnings available. There are 2 separate incidents: July 2023/august 2023 September 2024/april 2025
HVAC plug pigtail Blower motor resistor Heater control harness Is available for inspection HVAC electrical plugin was badly burned and melted causing risk of fire Summer months created dangerous interior temperatures Winter months & inclement weather created physical distress- & created dangerous vision restrictions/blockage because unable to use defroster Dangerous cab temperatures, limited or blocked vision through windshield created physical distress and distraction for me thus others and property were at elevated risk Yes confirmed by garage. No inspection performed. No warnings available. There are 2 separate incidents: July 2023/august 2023 September 2024/april 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the control arms and brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the control arms and brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Safety Rating for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
The 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 72 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
Subaru Tech Tips (Article — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subaru tech tips newsletter article locator.
02-130-12R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide procedures for the diagnosis and repair of oil seepage which may be coming from the front camshaft cap, upper oil pan, and/or the timing chain cover.
12-301-20 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin outlines changes made to the rear shelf trim to address customer concerns of a rattling sound heard while driving over bumpy / rough roads.
WUE-90 tool — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
SOA has received multiple requests for additional 83399Fj000rt BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH tools and now has sufficient stock to allow retailers to place orders for single tools.
10-78-12R — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
The purpose of this bulletin is to inform you of a precaution when removing the center panel assembly to prevent damage to the blower speed switch.
09-64-16 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
This Service Information bulletin announces a change to the shape of the rubber cap used on the flange nuts securing the sub-level sending unit to the fuel tank. In addition, two of the caps are now used in production instead of only one. This change was made to enhance productivity...
WQT]55U — SEATS
SUBJECT: UPDATE SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: WQT]55 OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2012 MODEL YEAR SUBARU IMPREZA VEHICLES (EXCEPT WRX/STI) EQUIPPED WITH A CAPACITANCE]TYPE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
WQT]55U — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SUBJECT: UPDATE SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN: WQT]55 OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED, SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (SUBARU) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2012 MODEL YEAR SUBARU IMPREZA VEHICLES (EXCEPT WRX/STI) EQUIPPED WITH A CAPACITANCE]TYPE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT.
06-56-16 — WHEELS
This bulletin replaces TSB 06-42-12 dated 01/19/12. This bulletin announces a revised procedure and parts change information to follow when replacement of a rear ABS wheel speed sensor is required on a limited number of 2012MY Impreza vehicles which fall within the specific VIN ranges listed below. Design changes were...
06-56-16 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
This bulletin replaces TSB 06-42-12 dated 01/19/12. This bulletin announces a revised procedure and parts change information to follow when replacement of a rear ABS wheel speed sensor is required on a limited number of 2012MY Impreza vehicles which fall within the specific VIN ranges listed below. Design changes were...
Showing 10 of 72 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU IMPREZA
- 2007 SUBARU IMPREZA — 84 complaints
- 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA — 249 complaints
- 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA — 149 complaints
- 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA — 61 complaints
- 2011 SUBARU IMPREZA — 72 complaints
- 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA (current)
- 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA — 342 complaints
- 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA — 155 complaints
- 2015 SUBARU IMPREZA — 98 complaints
- 2016 SUBARU IMPREZA — 106 complaints
- 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA — 161 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU FORESTER — 8,432 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints