Subaru Impreza Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 231 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the Subaru Impreza across 24 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (33). The words owners use most often: “passenger seat” (10% of reports).
- 231electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 6related recalls
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Passenger seat: mentioned in 23 of 231 complaints (10%)
- Key ignition: mentioned in 15 of 231 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 132 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 231 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 3 an injury.
Subaru Impreza electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Impreza | 3 | 9% | — |
| 2023 Impreza | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2022 Impreza | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2020 Impreza | 4 | 5% | — |
| 2019 Impreza | 19 | 10% | 22,000 |
| 2018 Impreza | 12 | 8% | 14,000 |
| 2017 Impreza | 21 | 17% | 4,222 |
| 2016 Impreza | 14 | 19% | 34,900 |
| 2015 Impreza | 20 | 26% | 40,000 |
| 2014 Impreza | 17 | 16% | 42,500 |
| 2013 Impreza | 33 | 13% | 81,500 |
| 2012 Impreza | 30 | 12% | 45,000 |
| 2011 Impreza | 9 | 16% | 78,000 |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 | 11% | 97,000 |
| 2009 Impreza | 8 | 8% | 60,000 |
| 2008 Impreza | 8 | 5% | 45,500 |
| 2007 Impreza | 7 | 10% | 37,420 |
| 2005 Impreza | 2 | 3% | 100,000 |
| 2004 Impreza | 1 | 1% | 5,651 |
| 2002 Impreza | 6 | 2% | 83,500 |
| 2001 Impreza | 1 | 9% | — |
| 1998 Impreza | 3 | 10% | 120,000 |
| 1997 Impreza | 2 | 7% | — |
| 1995 Impreza | 4 | 9% | 180,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Model years: 2024
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRL-23.
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 pipe
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
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:ignition
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019
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.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Electrical system
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment; electrical system
Model years: 2012, 2013
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The speedometer and the entire dashboard goes haywire when driving. Itâs impossible to know what speed Iâm going, no inspection yet. The cruise control light is on and wonât go off. Iâm not sure if itâs on or not which is unfastened and could cause other issues. The check engine light…
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle rolled to a stop and stalled in hot and cold temperatures. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jump-started by Roadside Assistance. The contact purchased a…
The electrical system failed and battery then exploded. The vehicle is behind held at a tow yard and has been inspected by allied insurance CPI of tower federal credit union. It is available to be inspected for the time being but will be scrapped soon. Both my safety and the safety of others was at…
Cabin blower fan stopped working. Faint burned plastic smell. Starting with the blower motor, I worked backwards. The Blower Motor Resistor showed significant wear, which I replaced. After checking or replacing all other components, I realized that it was likely the AC Control Unit. I took it out…
When attempting to start the vehicle, randomly, the key loses programming. This is the 2nd time where the keys lose programming and vehicle has to be towed at owners' expense and wait as long as 5 days for dealership to reprogram.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Imprezas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 231 owner complaints about electrical system for the Subaru Impreza. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Impreza electrical system?
Yes: 6 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the Subaru Impreza?
The most frequent phrase is “passenger seat”, in 23 of 231 complaints, followed by “key ignition” (15).
Other Subaru Impreza problems
- Air Bags problems (449)
- Power Train problems (288)
- Engine problems (262)
- Exterior Lighting problems (202)
- Visibility/wiper problems (201)
- Suspension problems (156)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (149)
- Service Brakes problems (132)
See all Subaru Impreza problems.