2018 Subaru Impreza Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 19, 2026 · 151 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Impreza years
Far more complaints than other years 6th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Impreza. That ranks 6th out of 32 Impreza model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (64 complaints, 42%), typically at around 21,000 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Subaru Impreza
Subaru Impreza (GU) at Auto Zürich 2023. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2018 Subaru Impreza problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Exterior Lighting64 · ~21,000 mi
Visibility/wiper34 · ~23,000 mi
Unknown or Other25 · ~12,000 mi
Electrical System12 · ~14,000 mi
Engine11 · ~26,000 mi
Structure6 · ~6,885 mi
Visibility6 · ~25,500 mi
Power Train4 · ~13,284 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~20,527 mi
Steering3
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Exterior Lighting problems6442%21,000“exterior lighting contacted” (17%)—
Visibility/wiper3423%23,000——
Unknown or Other2517%12,000——
Electrical System128%14,000——
Engine117%26,000——
Structure64%6,885——
Visibility64%25,500——
Power Train43%13,284——
Service Brakes32%20,527——
Steering32%———
Vehicle Speed Control32%20,222——
Air Bags21%13,222——
Suspension21%12,000——
Wheels21%———
Carry Handle, Shell, Base11%———
Forward Collision Avoidance11%———
Other/i Am Not Sure11%———
Seat Belts11%12,000——
Seats11%12,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2023, with 52 complaints
2018: 8201882019: 8201982020: 232020232021: 152021152022: 142022142023: 522023522024: 232024232025: 3202532026: 520265

n = 151 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 Subaru Impreza recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:headlightsAug 12, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V624000 · 188,397 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpJul 29, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:software; engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software; electrical system:ignition; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeApr 15, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:software; electrical system:ignitionOct 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)Oct 17, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V744000 · 205,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Spontaneous crack in passenger side of windshield 5 times in a row!!

Visibility/wiper · received Sep 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11765492

Vehicle Information: 2018 Subaru ImprezaVIN: [XXX] Affected: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gear Box Assembly)Description of the Safety Defect:I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 Subaru Impreza.The…

Steering · received Sep 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763961

I bought a new Subaru Impreza and there is a cam carrier leak that was reported last time I took it for service at the dealership two weeks ago. There are only 41k miles on the car, and there were no warning lights/messages. Upon my research, this is a common problem with Subarus due to the sealant…

Unknown or Other · received May 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11736146

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed…

Engine · received Feb 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719120

The problem started on towards the end of Dec 2025. The primary latch that holds the hood down failed, and the safety latch kept the hood from flying off. I pulled the car over and shut it, and it seemed okay. Because the hood hadn't been lifted for a few days ( since its last service ), I was at a…

Unknown or Other · received Jan 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11711738

Other Subaru Impreza years

← 2017 Impreza · 2019 Impreza →

See all Subaru Impreza problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Owners most often report exterior lighting, visibility/wiper, unknown or other problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 64 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2018 Subaru Impreza a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Impreza model years, the 2018 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.