Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Subaru Impreza
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 243 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V149000 Brake Lights May Not Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V772000 Engine Valve Spring Failure may cause Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V738000 Power Relay may Fail Allowing Air Pump to Overheat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V419000 Front Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V061000 Remote Engine Starter Fob Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V562000 INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 105 complaints
- Engine 55 complaints
- Electrical System 30 complaints
- Power Train 26 complaints
- Seats 15 complaints
- Service Brakes 13 complaints
Of the 243 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 243 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Subaru Impreza faces notable engine, airbag, and electrical issues causing a below-average rating. Recalls include significant airbag sensor failure and engine-related problems like valve spring fractures, impacting reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| airbags | 50,000–80,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | common |
| engine valve springs | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$2,000 | common |
| brake light switch | 30,000–60,000 miles | $150–$300 | very common |
| occupant detection system | 40,000-70,000 miles | $400–$800 | occasional |
| master brake cylinder | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine stalling or hesitation
- Unresponsive brake lights
- Frequent airbag error warnings
- Engine ticking noises
- Unusual brake pedal travel
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Subaru Impreza at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.