Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru Impreza model year (2002–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 175 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 206
10 recalls · 147 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 187
3 recalls · 161 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 182
Best Subaru Impreza Years to Buy
0 recalls · 5 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 5
2 recalls · 3 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 9
1 recall · 8 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 11
Found the right year? Verify that specific Impreza with a free VIN report.
Subaru Impreza — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 24 | — | — | 27 | Good |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 13 | — | — | 19 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 40 | — | — | 40 | Good |
| 2019 | 3 | 120 | 2 | — | 133 | Caution |
| 2018 | 2 | 87 | — | 1 | 98 | Caution |
| 2017 | 4 | 68 | 6 | — | 92 | Caution |
| 2016 | 1 | 51 | 1 | — | 56 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 48 | — | — | 54 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 85 | 3 | — | 97 | Caution |
| 2013 | 3 | 161 | 6 | — | 182 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 5 | 175 | 8 | — | 206 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 7 | 28 | 1 | — | 51 | Good |
| 2010 | 8 | 32 | — | — | 56 | Good |
| 2009 | 9 | 93 | 1 | — | 122 | Caution |
| 2008 | 10 | 147 | 5 | — | 187 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 4 | 52 | 6 | — | 76 | Caution |
| 2006 | 5 | 35 | 1 | — | 52 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 45 | — | — | 51 | Good |
| 2004 | 3 | 68 | 5 | — | 87 | Caution |
| 2003 | 4 | 27 | 6 | — | 51 | Good |
| 2002 | 4 | 149 | 6 | — | 173 | Avoid |
All 25 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru Impreza Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Impreza models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Impreza units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Impreza models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Impreza should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2012 Subaru Impreza if possible. It has 5 recalls, 175 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 206 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Impreza to buy?+
The 2025 Subaru Impreza is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 5. It has only 0 recalls and 5 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Impreza has the fewest problems?+
The 2025, 2023, 2022 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru Impreza Research
Check a Specific Subaru Impreza VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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