2012 SUBARU IMPREZA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. This model year has 241 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
Before you buy — check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2012 Subaru Impreza?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 105 | 7 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 56 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 30 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 15 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 241 most recent complaints
The fan controls in the center of the dash failed. Fan speed 1&2 work, but 3&4 do not. After pulling the center dash controls out, I found that the plug connecting the fan speed controls to the wiring harness was burnt. This is a concern cause it could have burned other component…
HVAC plug pigtail Blower motor resistor Heater control harness Is available for inspection HVAC electrical plugin was badly burned and melted causing risk of fire Summer months created dangerous interior temperatures Winter months & inclement weather created physical distres…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mec…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was driven with manual steering. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that approximately fo…
The contact's son's father owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon activating the heating system, a burning odor would emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic discovered melted plastic; as well as black soot, in…
The Airbag warning light has been lit within the dashboard. The front passenger seat airbag is faulty and is not able to correctly sense when a passenger is within the seat or not, which disables the airbags. This can be deadly to the passenger if in an accident. The issue seem…
The AC unit suddenly shutoff and there was a burning smell while I was driving. It turns out that the connector on the back of the climate control unit had either drawn too much current, or the resistance was too high, and the connector had started burning. Fortunately, the mel…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and the contact was informed that there was a defective gask…
Hello car just stopped on the Fla turnpike because bad valve body on transmission seem subaru knows about this problem and offered a extended warranty 10 yr or 100k but they did this during covid with stay at home orders and never sent any type of Notification my wife was almost …
The occupant control unit in my car has failed, and there is an open recall (Reference #WQT-55R) for the engine diagnostic code (B1650) for my specific part number for the occupant control unit, but the Subaru dealership is saying that my VIN number does not apply. The problem is…
Brake Lamp Switch failed in 2018 - we diagnosed the issue, based partly on information from other Subaru owners who had the same problem, and replaced the switch. Since that time, the brake lights have worked fine. We reported this in a letter to Subaru after their recall for t…
I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerat…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon pressing the horn, he became aware that the horn was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had previously been intermittent. No warning lights were illuminated. T…
Transmission valve body failure causing dangerous erratic shifting while driving.
Over the past three months, the front driver and passenger airbag lights have been on in my 2012 Subaru Impreza while driving. Documented videos attached were on 01/11/23, 01/20/23, and 04/04/23. It has happened at least 6 times and possibly more. I contacted Subaru after it happ…
While driving, I suddenly lost braking ability and the brake pedal would go to the floor before slowing the car. I drove slowly approximately 1-2 miles, using the emergency brake and downshifting to control my speed, stopping at a local auto repair garage. On inspection, on the…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the gas cap was replaced; however, the warning light returned. The vehicle was taken back to…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started smoking from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as an oil consumption and cam …
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while the vehicle was under yearly inspection, she was informed that the subframe was corroded. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the stabilizer bar, the rocker panels, …
I just bought this car. I looked recall history. I saw that one of the recalls for this car was faulty (ODS)occupants detection system and the record showed that it is fixed. However, I just found out today that ODS system is still faulty.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Subaru Impreza.
Recalls for 2012 Subaru Impreza
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Subaru Impreza — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 241 NHTSA owner complaints, 10 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (105 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Impreza?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (105 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (56 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (30 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2012 Subaru Impreza has 10 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 241 total NHTSA complaints. 6 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2012 Subaru Impreza has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Subaru Impreza
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.