Subaru Impreza Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Subaru Impreza across 27 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (59). The words owners use most often: “clutch pedal” (17% of reports).
- 288power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $4,600typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%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.
- Clutch pedal: mentioned in 49 of 288 complaints (17%)
- Spot welds: mentioned in 29 of 288 complaints (10%)
- Creaking noise: mentioned in 15 of 288 complaints (5%)
- Wheel bearing: mentioned in 15 of 288 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Subaru Impreza at $4,600, and half of them between $2,200 and $4,950.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2002–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 194 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 288 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury.
Subaru Impreza power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Impreza | 2 | 40% | 2,700 |
| 2024 Impreza | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2022 Impreza | 4 | 31% | — |
| 2021 Impreza | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 Impreza | 4 | 2% | 14,100 |
| 2018 Impreza | 4 | 3% | 13,284 |
| 2017 Impreza | 5 | 4% | 40,425 |
| 2016 Impreza | 13 | 17% | 19,219 |
| 2015 Impreza | 11 | 14% | 47,000 |
| 2014 Impreza | 9 | 8% | 73,450 |
| 2013 Impreza | 23 | 9% | 94,000 |
| 2012 Impreza | 26 | 11% | 71,000 |
| 2011 Impreza | 6 | 10% | 32,194 |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 | 11% | 38,269 |
| 2009 Impreza | 30 | 29% | 63,383 |
| 2008 Impreza | 59 | 34% | 69,000 |
| 2007 Impreza | 8 | 12% | 15,974 |
| 2006 Impreza | 7 | 13% | 63,455 |
| 2005 Impreza | 5 | 7% | 7,500 |
| 2004 Impreza | 9 | 9% | 12,000 |
| 2003 Impreza | 1 | 2% | 115,000 |
| 2002 Impreza | 25 | 9% | 30,000 |
| 2000 Impreza | 10 | 24% | 49,250 |
| 1999 Impreza | 4 | 18% | — |
| 1998 Impreza | 9 | 30% | 51,478 |
| 1997 Impreza | 5 | 17% | — |
| 1995 Impreza | 1 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2024
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2023
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRN-23.
Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod
Model years: 2021
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Risk: A loose nut can lead to a lost of retention in the CVT select lever cable and the gear selector not functioning properly, increasing risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-21.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2002, 2003
Problem: Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.
Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification january 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
total failure of brake booster at 49.5k miles, caused air leak in engine intake system, which caused lean run and burning more fuel and failure of air/fuel ratio sensor.
On three separate occasions between August 2025 and June 2026, my car engine revved continuously and noisily, and acceleration was sluggish at best. During that time frame, I took it to two different dealerships (on four separate occasions) and an independent auto repair shop. None was able to…
I own a 2024 Subaru Impreza (base trim, FB24 engine). The engine has developed repeated oil leaks into the spark plug wells due to failed spark plug tube seals / valve cover sealing on the same engine. The first occurrence was around 24,000 miles. The dealer found engine oil in the spark plug…
On 12/12/2025, Subaru Orange Coast (Santa Ana, CA) service advisor stated via text: "Breaks feel fine, no issues there," "Tires no issues there," "Struts no leaks or issues," and "Car is ready for pick up." On 12/16/2025, Service Director confirmed: brake rotor defects, weak struts causing tire…
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Transmission Failure Communication warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnosis was not available. Fault code: P1894 was…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Imprezas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 288 owner complaints about power train 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 power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Subaru Impreza?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,600 (half paid between $2,200 and $4,950), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Subaru Impreza?
The most frequent phrase is “clutch pedal”, in 49 of 288 complaints, followed by “spot welds” (29).
Other Subaru Impreza problems
- Air Bags problems (449)
- Engine problems (262)
- Electrical System problems (231)
- 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.