NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
This page covers 13 recalls, 46 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Subaru Impreza.
21–22 mpg combined
10.7–11.2 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints filed for the 2010 Subaru Impreza spread across several systems, with engine and airbag categories drawing the most reports, followed by service brakes. On the engine side, owners describe sudden failures including a no-start condition that returns even after battery replacement and dealer inspection, and at least one account of a loud bang followed by smoke from the engine compartment. The airbag complaint volume is notable but the narratives here don't surface a single recurring symptom pattern. A handful of owners separately report a driver-side sun visor that loses its tension and drops down into the driver's line of sight, which generated enough reports to stand out as a consistent trim-level issue. Tire degradation appears in an isolated report describing premature dry rot at low mileage.
46
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Subaru Impreza has 13 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator issue, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles. Some of these filings apply specifically to vehicles sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories, where the risk is elevated. On the electrical side, turbocharged models have a relay that can fail and cause the secondary air injection pump to run continuously until it overheats and melts, raising the risk of an engine fire. There is also a concern with vehicles where the ignition switch was replaced using a certain replacement part: a small spring inside the switch can break, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, which can also prevent the airbags from deploying if a crash follows. The lowest-severity recall involves the brake light switch, where the brake lights may fail to illuminate when the pedal is pressed, leaving following drivers without warning that the vehicle is slowing.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminants can damage the brake light switch, stopping brake lights from working and preventing some vehicles from starting or shifting out of Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake light switch at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.