This page covers 3 recalls, 248 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Subaru Impreza.
19–30 mpg combined
7.8–12.4 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 8 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2013 Subaru Impreza, the two heaviest complaint categories are airbags and the engine. On the airbag side, owners consistently report that the system failed to deploy during collisions they describe as serious enough to total the vehicle, often with no warning lights present beforehand. Engine complaints center on stalling, stuttering, and what owners describe as torque converter issues causing hesitation or rough running. The powertrain category adds related concerns around shuddering and engagement problems. A smaller but recurring thread involves the electric power steering, with owners reporting the steering pulling or lurching to one side, particularly when making slight left turns, and at least some describing a visible crack in the steering gear housing that a dealer confirmed as a safety concern.
248
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Subaru Impreza has 3 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk on turbocharged models where a faulty relay can cause the secondary air injection pump to run continuously, overheat, and melt.
On turbocharged models, that same overheating pump can reach temperatures high enough to ignite nearby components, so this recall is worth checking first if your car has a turbo engine. The second concern involves the engine's valve springs, which can fracture and cause the engine to malfunction or stall without warning while driving, leaving the vehicle suddenly unpowered in traffic. Finally, the brake light switch can fail to illuminate the brake lights when the pedal is pressed, meaning drivers behind you may not see that you are slowing or stopping in time to react.
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.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine valve springs may crack, which can cause the engine to malfunction or stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the valve springs at no cost to you.
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.
