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2012 Subaru Impreza
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Impreza, covering exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling and electrical system, and 171 consumer complaints received since 2011.
The component named most often is air bags: 405.7 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 113 per 1,000 across all 2012 model-year vehicles and against 186.5 per 1,000 for the Subaru Impreza line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 49.2 complaints per model year across the 33 Subaru Impreza model years on this register; 9 complaints reported a crash and 2 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (36); the most recent in the file is dated 8 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer campaign WUE-90).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer campaign WTY-84).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer campaign WTM-73).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer campaign WQT-55).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer campaign WQF-42); components: electrical system; equipment.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. (manufacturer campaign WVY-35).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2012 Subaru Impreza (black) against all 2012 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2012 | Impreza line | All 2012 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 405.7 | 186.5 | 113 |
| Engine | 151.6 | 69.5 | 127.7 |
| Electrical System | 73.8 | 47.9 | 134.9 |
| Power Train | 57.4 | 107.1 | 110.4 |
| Seats | 53.3 | 17.8 | 9.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 36.9 | 34.3 | 39.1 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 99 | 405.7 | 186.5 | 113 |
| Engine | 37 | 151.6 | 69.5 | 127.7 |
| Electrical System | 18 | 73.8 | 47.9 | 134.9 |
| Power Train | 14 | 57.4 | 107.1 | 110.4 |
| Seats | 13 | 53.3 | 17.8 | 9.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 36.9 | 34.3 | 39.1 |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 28.7 | 29.6 | 55.5 |
| Wheels | 6 | 24.6 | 18.3 | 13.2 |
| Steering | 5 | 20.5 | 16.4 | 96.7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 20.5 | 70.9 | 6.2 |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 20.5 | 31.9 | 60.4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 12.3 | 14.6 | 14.2 |
| Visibility | 3 | 12.3 | 45.6 | 11.3 |
| Structure | 3 | 12.3 | 45.6 | 43 |
| Suspension | 3 | 12.3 | 61.1 | 17.8 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | 12.3 | 12.2 | 18.7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 12.3 | 34.3 | 39.5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 8.2 | 12.7 | 24.5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4.1 | 57.8 | 5 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 6.2 |
| Tires | 1 | 4.1 | 11.7 | 8.9 |
| Equipment | 1 | 4.1 | 6.6 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 4.1 | 45.1 | 9.3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 24.2 |
171 unique complaints, 244 component mentions; 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE15012 | Preliminary evaluation | Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression | air bags:frontal | 10 Apr 2015 | 15 Jul 2015 | 15V419000 |
Other Subaru Impreza model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 1 | 33 | 3,351 |
| 1994 NHTSA | 1 | 8 | 95,673 |
| 1995 | 1 | 46 | 95,673 |
| 1996 NHTSA | 0 | 20 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | 30 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 30 | — |
| 1999 NHTSA | 0 | 22 | — |
| 2000 | 0 | 41 | — |
| 2001 NHTSA | 0 | 11 | — |
| 2002 | 6 | 284 | 745,448 |
| 2003 | 6 | 57 | 745,448 |
| 2004 | 8 | 85 | 1,375,889 |
| 2005 | 6 | 66 | 1,248,283 |
| 2006 | 10 | 49 | 1,457,051 |
| 2007 | 9 | 63 | 1,450,047 |
| 2008 | 14 | 166 | 3,214,117 |
| 2009 | 14 | 81 | 3,218,166 |
| 2010 | 15 | 34 | 3,902,631 |
| 2011 | 14 | 48 | 3,809,422 |
| 2012 | 6 | 171 | 1,679,643 |
| 2013 | 4 | 127 | 1,616,610 |
| 2014 | 3 | 46 | 1,569,191 |
| 2015 | 2 | 30 | 1,375,240 |
| 2016 NHTSA | 1 | 23 | 1,303,530 |
| 2017 | 7 | 36 | 1,384,756 |
| 2018 | 5 | 13 | 1,501,775 |
| 2019 | 5 | 3 | 1,484,982 |
| 2020 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 175,968 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 1,185 |
| 2022 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 42 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 8,341 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 40,058 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Subaru Impreza model years · Subaru: 29 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 19V149000, was reported to NHTSA on 28 Feb 2019 and concerns exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Across all model years the Subaru Impreza line has 53 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2012 Subaru Impreza complain about most?
Air Bags: 99 of 244 component mentions (405.7 per 1,000). Next is engine with 37. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.