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Subaru · NHTSA safety record

2013 Subaru Impreza

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

249

Complaints

13

Crashes

7

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Subaru Impreza have filed 249 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2013 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 79 of them (32%). The typical failure was reported at 61,591 miles, the median across the 154 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

19V149000 · February 28, 2019

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.
The risk
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 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 1,303,530 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

18V772000 · November 1, 2018

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.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 165,534 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

16V738000 · October 13, 2016

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.
The risk
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 100,127 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13V061000 · February 25, 2013

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 dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
The risk
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 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 47,419 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 249.

AIR BAGS 79 32%
ENGINE 74 30%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33 13%
POWER TRAIN 23 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 23 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 21 8%
STEERING 14 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 5%
SEATS 9 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 3%
SEAT BELTS 6 2%
STRUCTURE 6 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 68.

2013 2019 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.

NHTSA complaint 11701791. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed · 95,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempted to drive forward when the vehicle revved up again and accelerated independently. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however they failed to respond. The vehicle came to a stop at the opposite of the road blocking traffic. The contact managed to park the vehicle and activate the emergency brakes. The contact sustained injuries to their knee and chest

NHTSA complaint 11456985, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 1,800 miles

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY RECENTLY ACQUIRED 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA, WHERE ANOTHER DRIVER HIT MY VEHICLE IN A SIDE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND DRIVER DOOR (I CAN SEND THE PICTURES VIA EMAIL). THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THIS WAS ALSO NOTED BY THE EMERGENCY CREW WHO ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT THAT SUBARU ENGINEERS NEED TO HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10512512. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · towed · 40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph when the check engine illuminated and a loud rattling noise emitted from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle then suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer had replaced the engine. Approximately after the repair while they were driving approximately 40 mph when the same failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer who replaced the engine again. After the second replacement while driving the vehicle was part the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was called and put out the fire. No injuries, medical attention needed. The contact's

NHTSA complaint 11497752, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes failed due to a leak in the brake lines (pedal to the floor). Location of the leak is just after a union on the passenger side rear (just in front of the rear tire). Location is not well protected from corrosion similar to other recalls for the wrx and sti version of the impreza. Image shows the corroded area, and is taken after the protective coating was cut bqck to expose well maintained lines. The corrosion occurred where no protective coating was present. Both the left and right rear brake lines were found to be leaking. Luckily this was noticed in the driveway and did not result in a crash.

NHTSA complaint 11755639. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Subaru stutters stalls, torque converter malfunction

NHTSA complaint 11730534. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
A crack appeared in the area noted as the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Gear Box housing Assembly. The dealership said it was in fact dangerous as it could affect the steering. My car has a distinct 'pull to the left' when the steering wheel is turned slightly left. The system is available for inspection upon request and I do have pictures of the crack as well.

NHTSA complaint 11693438. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
My steering is randomly lurching left. It has happened off and on intermittently since it started in early September 2025. It happens at various speeds, but currently only when turning the steering wheel slightly to the left.

NHTSA complaint 11685761. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

Vehicle Fire Summary – Arvada, CO On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], the Arvada Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire on [XXX] . The vehicle involved was a 2013 gray Subaru Impreza WRX. The driver reported noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment before pulling over to the shoulder. Within minutes, flames became visible. Fire crews arrived promptly and extinguished the fire. Both the driver and one passenger were able to evacuate the vehicle safely, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle sustained a total loss due to fire damage. Preliminary findings suggest a possible mechanical or electrical malfunction, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

NHTSA complaint 11684703, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Subaru Impreza

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 30 2 —
2022 12 1 —
2021 14 2 —
2020 85 1 —
2019 193 5 —
2018 149 5 1
2017 125 7 —
2016 75 1 —
2015 77 2 —
2014 108 3 —
2012 242 6 —
2011 57 14 —
2010 45 15 —

Other 2013 Subaru models

Outback 296 XV Crosstrek 96 Forester 77 Legacy 66 BRZ 64 Crosstrek 25

Every Subaru on this site — 97 vehicles, 147 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst