2013 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2013 Subaru Impreza has 346 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns air bags. After that come engine (22%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 346 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 23 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 220 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 | 47 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 18 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 32 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 56 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 37 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 10 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 16 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 220 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 66,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 62,000 miles (71 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 23 complaints mention a crash; 10 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 27 model years of the Subaru Impreza with enough data (157 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 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.
Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.
I was involved in an accident while driving my recently acquired 2013 subaru impreza, where another driver hit my vehicle in a side impact on the driver side front wheel and driver door (I can send the pictures via email). The good news is that I was able to get out on the other side of the vehicle. The bad news is that the side air bags did not deploy, and this was also noted by the emergency crew who arrived on the scene.
While on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. This happened on two separate occasions; both while my foot was on the brake pedal. The first time this happened, I was on my brake at a red light (stationary) and the second time, after I went over a small "lip" on the asphalt, I was braking to park in front of a house when it accelerated substantially, causing extensive damage to the house and car, while almost killing me.
I just replaced the front passenger seat belt for reverse lock (unable to pull out) for the second time. No other belts are affected. Parked the car unhooked the belt. Upon returning the belt would not pull out. Which of course requires the passenger to not be restrained. The first time this happened I assumed the belt was worn out, or manufacturing defect. It was out of warranty so I replaced it myself. The replacement lasted about two years. Now I have to believe there is a defect in the system somewhere.