Subaru
Subaru Impreza years to avoid
Years to avoid: 2018 and 2019. Best years: 2021 and 2022.
The 2018 and 2019 Subaru Impreza draw the most owner complaints for their age: 2018 has 151 complaints (17 for each year on the road) and 2019 has 194 complaints (24 for each year on the road), against a median of 9 a year across the 10 model years old enough to judge. The most reported problem on the 2019 is windshield (58 reports).
- 470complaints
- 9recall campaigns
- 3model years with a page
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Pick your model year
Owner complaints on file for each year.
Years to avoid
2018
Most reported: windshield (40 reports, median 23,000 miles) and headlights (26 reports).
2019
Most reported: windshield (58 reports, median 10,300 miles) and headlights (25 reports).
Best years
2021
Too few complaints for a page of its own.
2022
Too few complaints for a page of its own.
Complaints for each year on the road
Each model year's NHTSA complaints divided by the calendar years it has been on sale, counting this one (a 2018 model has had 9). Older cars have had longer to collect complaints, so raw totals flatter the new ones. Blue bars are the years to avoid.
Within one model, sales change less from year to year than they do between models, so a jump here is mostly a jump in problems. The call: the years to avoid are the (up to three) highest at 1.5 times the model's median rate or more, and the best are the (up to three) lowest at two thirds of it or less, from 2016 on.
Guide How much should a years-to-avoid list decide? What these lists get wrong
At a glance
- Where the complaints sit
- The 2019 has the most complaints of any Subaru Impreza year here: 194 of 470 (41%).
- Problem across the years
- Windshield is the top problem in every model year with a page, 119 reports in all. Pooled across the years, half of the 83 owners who gave a mileage for windshield were under about 16,000 miles.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 6% of Subaru Impreza complaints report a crash, a fire or an injury, against 6% for the typical vehicle on this site. The highest share is on the 2017, 14 of its 125 complaints.
- Recalls on the top problem
- None of the 3 model years where owners report windshield has a recall on the same system.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2023, with 136 complaints, 2.1 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 16 more have come in.
Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Model years with too few complaints for a page of their own: 2014 (98), 2015 (77), 2016 (75), 2020 (85), 2021 (14), 2022 (13), 2024 (32).
Year by year
2019 Subaru Impreza avoid
194 owner complaints, 24 for each year on the road (2.7 times the model median). Most reported: windshield (58 reports, median 10,300 miles), headlights (25 reports) and dead battery (10 reports). 6 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. 5 recalls, including 22V-624 on the exterior lighting and 21V-587 on the fuel system.
2018 Subaru Impreza avoid
151 owner complaints, 17 for each year on the road (1.8 times the model median). Most reported: windshield (40 reports, median 23,000 miles) and headlights (26 reports). 5 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 5 recalls, including 22V-624 on the exterior lighting and 21V-587 on the fuel system.
2017 Subaru Impreza
125 owner complaints, 12 for each year on the road (1.4 times the model median). Most reported: windshield (21 reports, median 38,000 miles), airbag (11 reports) and stalling (10 reports, median 9,000 miles). 10 reports involved a crash and 7 people were hurt. 7 recalls, including 22V-624 on the exterior lighting and 21V-264 on the electrical system.
Recalls that cover several model years
The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
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.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Compare the Impreza with its rivals
Side by side over the model years both have on file: what owners complain about, the mileage problems start at, recalls, investigations and crash reports.
- Impreza vs Toyota Corolla2017 to 2019
- Impreza vs Honda Civic2017 to 2019
Questions
What Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?
The 2018 and 2019 Subaru Impreza draw the most owner complaints for their age: 2018 has 151 complaints (17 for each year on the road) and 2019 has 194 complaints (24 for each year on the road), against a median of 9 a year across the 10 model years old enough to judge. The most reported problem on the 2019 is windshield (58 reports).
What are the best years for the Subaru Impreza?
The 2021 and 2022 draw the fewest complaints for their age: 2021 has 14 (2 a year) and 2022 has 13 (3 a year). Model years before 2016 aren't called best, because complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads and their counts run short.
What is the most common problem on the Subaru Impreza?
Windshield, with 119 reports across the 3 model years that have a page here. It's the single most reported problem on the 2017, 2018 and 2019.
How many recalls does the Subaru Impreza have?
9 recall campaigns cover the Subaru Impreza model years 2017 to 2019 on this site. The widest, 19V-743 on the electrical system, covers 3 model years.
How many Subaru Impreza complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
6% of them, against 6% for the typical vehicle on this site. The 2017 has the highest share.
Is there a recall for windshield on the Subaru Impreza?
No. None of the 3 model years where owners report it has one on the same system.