Representative model. Photo: Aaron Dominguez, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Subaru Impreza recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 243
Latest campaign: Feb 28, 2019

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	2	Oct 13, 2016	16V738000 13V061000
Exterior lighting	1	Feb 28, 2019	19V149000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Nov 1, 2018	18V772000
Air bags	1	Jul 1, 2015	15V419000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Nov 29, 2011	11V562000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 28, 2019Latest campaign


Feb 28, 201919V149000	Exterior lighting: brake lights switch Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V149000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park. Risk Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90. Campaign NHTSA 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019
Nov 1, 201818V772000	Engine and engine cooling: engine An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V772000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall. Risk An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84. Campaign NHTSA 18V772000 · Nov 1, 2018
Oct 13, 201616V738000	Electrical system If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V738000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat. Risk If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73. Campaign NHTSA 16V738000 · Oct 13, 2016
Jul 1, 201515V419000	Air bags: sensor occupant classification If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of… DetailsHide details for campaign 15V419000 What's wrong Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever. Risk If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55. Campaign NHTSA 15V419000 · Jul 1, 2015
Feb 25, 201313V061000	Electrical system The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V061000 What's wrong Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button. Risk The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation. Remedy Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information. Campaign NHTSA 13V061000 · Feb 25, 2013
Nov 29, 201111V562000	Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. DetailsHide details for campaign 11V562000 What's wrong SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE. Risk THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. Campaign NHTSA 11V562000 · Nov 29, 2011

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Subaru Impreza? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component243

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

243Complaints filed

10Involving a crash

4Involving a fire

6Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Air bags	105	43	7	1	4
Engine	55	23	2	1	1
Electrical system	30	12	1	4	0
Power train	26	11	0	0	0
Service brakes	15	6	2	0	0
Seats	15	6	0	0	0
Unknown or other	12	5	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	11	5	3	0	2
Steering	10	4	0	0	0
Wheels	7	3	0	0	0
Structure	6	2	2	0	2
Suspension	5	2	2	0	2
Fuel system	5	2	0	0	0
Gasoline	5	2	0	0	0
Visibility	4	2	0	0	0

13 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Impreza, Impreza WRX/Sti.

Latest reports

Chest clip
“My Chicco Fit360 car seat’s magnetic chest clip is failing to stay clipped and is easily unclipped by the tug of one finger. Children are able to easily unclip it as well.”
Filed 09/11/2026 · ODI 11763522
Unknown or other
“My ignition key gets stuck when I shifted into park on my 2012 subaru impreza.”
Filed 05/23/2026 · ODI 11739696
Electrical system
“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.”
Filed 08/23/2025 · ODI 11682604

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2012 Subaru Impreza recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The most recent, 19V149000 (reported February 28, 2019), concerns exterior lighting. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Subaru Impreza recalls for?

The largest group is electrical system, with 2 campaigns. Others: exterior lighting (1), engine and engine cooling (1), air bags (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Subaru Impreza?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 105 complaints out of 243 filed with NHTSA (43%). Across all complaints, owners reported 10 crashs and 4 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Subaru Impreza?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Subaru recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Subaru dealer.

Check a specific Subaru by VIN

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