Verdict
2013 Subaru Impreza: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2013 Subaru Impreza — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most wagon.
Owners filed 248 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 87% of 2013 wagons. Air Bags leads the reports (26%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 wagons, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
248
Reports to NHTSA, 2013
Safety recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
24
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 87% of 2013 wagons
The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 wagons by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (26% of 248 reports), followed by engine (22%).
+ 9 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 248 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11701791, ODI 11297758, ODI 10512512, ODI 11625402, ODI 11524253.
Recalls(4)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Engine And Engine CoolingJan 2018 · 18V772000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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 Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Electrical System · 13V061000Details +Close −
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.
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.
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.
Electrical System · 16V738000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Exterior Lighting · 19V149000Details +Close −
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.
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.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2013 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2013 Subaru Impreza SW AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 24 | 33 | 28 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2013 Subaru Impreza: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
Owners filed 248 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Subaru Impreza — more complaints than 87% of comparable 2013 wagons, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (26% of complaints) and engine (22%).
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have?
4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2013 Subaru Impreza, covering components such as engine and engine cooling. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Subaru Impreza get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Subaru Impreza between 19 and 30 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.