2010 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2010 Subaru Impreza has 63 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (16%) concerns engine. After that come brakes (11%) and air bags (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 63 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 42 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 42 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 72,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 23rd most-complained-about out of 27 model years of the Subaru Impreza with enough data (30 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 15 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a loud explosion was heard from the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle then suddenly accelerated to 100 MPH, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a utility pole. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact suffered injuries to the chest area during the crash. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
The contact owned a 2010 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 60 MPH, he stated that he heard a loud bang from the engine compartment and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The son stated that an unknown warning light had illuminated. The son safely stopped the vehicle, exited, and noted that more smoke was coming from under the hood. The son stated that a small fire had ignited under the front end of the hood and eventually engulfed the vehicle.
Subaru has an inherent brake defect in their 2010-2011 subaru wrx and wrx sti model cars. The brake sensor in new cars is faulty causing system failure with regards to anti-lock brakes. When brakes are used in a panic situation they lock up causing drivers to lose control with the road and do not provide anti-lock brakes. Drivers are unaware of the brake defect because subaru has not issued a proper recall in regards to this issue.
The clutch pedal on my 2010 subaru impreza wrx makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken.
Car is 6 years old, ~50,000 miles on it, and the fuel tank is rusted out. Leaking enough that it cannot be fixed and must be replaced. My mechanic says this is highly irregular. Dealer says they haven't had to replace a fuel tank in decades.