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Verdict

2018 Subaru Impreza: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2018 Subaru Impreza — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

More reported complaints than most wagon.

Owners filed 149 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 89% of 2018 wagons. Exterior Lighting leads the reports (42%). 5 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 wagons, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

149

Reports to NHTSA, 2018

Safety recalls

5

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

28.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 89% of 2018 wagons

The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 wagons by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Exterior Lighting issues lead owner complaints (42% of 149 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (19%).

Exterior Lighting42% · 62 reports
Visibility/Wiper19% · 28 reports
Unknown Or Other12% · 18 reports
Electrical System7% · 11 reports
Engine5% · 7 reports
Visibility4% · 6 reports
Power Train3% · 4 reports
Structure3% · 4 reports

+ 6 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 149 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11498971, ODI 11627106, ODI 11610545, ODI 11596940, ODI 11594344.

Recalls(5)

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.

Exterior LightingDec 2022 · 22V624000Details +

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.

Electrical System · 19V743000Details +

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Engine And Engine Cooling · 19V744000Details +

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.

Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

Electrical System · 21V264000Details +

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Fuel System · 21V587000Details +

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

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

2018 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2018 Subaru Impreza SW AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Impreza 4-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive283832
Impreza 5-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive283731
Impreza Sport 5-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive273530
Impreza Sport 4-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive273630
Impreza 4-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive243227
Impreza Sport 4-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive233126
Impreza 5-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive243126
Impreza Sport 5-Door2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive223025

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.

2018 Subaru Impreza: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Owners filed 149 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Subaru Impreza — more complaints than 89% of comparable 2018 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 2018 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (42% of complaints) and visibility/wiper (19%).

How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Impreza have?

5 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Subaru Impreza, covering components such as exterior lighting. 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 2018 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Impreza between 25 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.