Fifth generation
2018 Subaru Impreza
The most reported problem on the 2018 Subaru Impreza is windshield, with 40 complaints, usually around 23,000 miles.
- 151owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 5involved a crash
- 20,527median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Impreza doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza reliable?
The 2018 Subaru Impreza has 151 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 177 for 2018 sedans on this site. Of the 10 Impreza model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- Each model year from the 2017 to the 2019 draws more complaints for its age than the one before it: 12 a year, then 17 for the 2018, then 24.
- Top problem
- Windshield leads with 40 of the 151 complaints (26%), ahead of headlights at 26. A quarter of the 31 owners who gave a mileage for windshield saw it by about 6,000 miles, and half by about 23,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 6 of the 151 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 5 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 2 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Headlights has a recall on the same system (22V-624). Windshield has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2023, with 52 complaints, 2.3 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 5 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 40 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
151 complaints is 1.8 times fewer than the median 2018 model on this site and about the median for a 2018 sedan. Among the 3 Impreza model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Subaru Impreza
Subaru filed 521 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Subaru Impreza. 15 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 40 complaints
This bulletin announces design changes made to the rear quarter glass assembly in response to a small number of reports describing a rattling - type sound origination from the lower molding.
Battery dies or the car will not start 3 bulletins · 5 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi. In rare cases, customers may experience a dead battery as a result of the DCM continually trying to access the 3G network.
1 more on this problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is extending the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from three years (36 months or 36K miles) to eight years (96 months or 100K miles), whichever comes first.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 11 bulletins · 5 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
9 more on this problem
This bulletin provides helpful information about operating conditions observed in the field for Technicians to use when diagnosing customer concerns which may arise while operating Harman Gen 3 Navigation and Display Audio systems.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns of the Navigation systemâs functionality.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit.
This Service Information bulletin provides a procedure to use for addressing a customer concern of a delayed or slow response when using the soft keys on the touch screen of the audio / navigation head unit.
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing customer concerns involving Bluetooth (BT) functionality.
This bulletin announces availability of new Harman audio unit amplifier units with revised internal logic designed to optimize efficiency while addressing the following customer concerns: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed ...
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing a customer concern of the display screen being either frozen (unresponsive) or black (blank).
This bulletin announces availability of new audio system amplifiers to address the following operating concerns with the Harman Kardon Gen 3 infotainment system: Symptom 1: No audio output is heard but, the volume level displayed changes when turning the knob ...
This Service Information bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to use when diagnosing concerns of the Apple CarPlay and / or Android Auto feature not connecting or launching properly when a compatible device is connected to the head unit
Complaints filed by year
52 complaints came in 2023, 3.7 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2018 Subaru Impreza
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
All 5 recalls on the 2018 Subaru Impreza, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
Windshield, with 40 of the 151 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 23,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Of the 55 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 9,000 miles and half by about 21,000.
Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has more complaints than the 2017 and fewer complaints than the 2019: 17 a year against 12 and 24.
How many 2018 Subaru Impreza complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
6 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
No recall on file for the 2018 Subaru Impreza is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.