Every 2012 Subaru Impreza recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 19V149000
Feb 28, 2019Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V149000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 18V772000
Jan 11, 2018Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V772000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V738000
Oct 13, 2016Electrical System
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 16V738000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 15V419000
Jan 7, 2015Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V419000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 13V061000
Feb 25, 2013Electrical System
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 13V061000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 11V562000
Nov 29, 2011Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals and Linkages
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 11V562000 →
2012 Subaru Impreza complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Impreza, reporting 10 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. Subaru has issued at least 522 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Air Bags116
- Engine55
- Electrical System30
- Power Train26
- Seats15
- Service Brakes13
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (169)
- Electrical System (131)
- Engine (92)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (51)
- Power Train (51)
- Structure (27)
Read Subaru Impreza owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Subaru Impreza
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Impreza. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2012 SUBARU IMPREZADec 31, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11633290
Fire
“ON THE HEATER CONTROLS, FOR THE FAN SPEED, THE CONNECTOR ON THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT IN TIME TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. MY MOTHER IN LAW AND MY SON RIDE THAT CAR DAILY, COULD OF BEEN A DISASTER.”
2012 SUBARU IMPREZAJul 2, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11337149
Crash
“1. 5/12/17. RANDOM SURGE FROM STOP OR SLOW SPEED. STOPPED AT LIGHT, GENTLY STEPPED ON GAS TO PULL AHEAD, CAR SURGED HARD AND QUICKLY INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. $1500 DAMAGE TO MY CAR. 2. 1/11/18.”
2012 SUBARU IMPREZAJun 12, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11219444
Injury reportedCrash
“WE WERE BROADSIDED (T-BONED) IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WE WERE EASTBOUND GOING 25MPH & HAD JUST LEFT HOME. TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOME AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE GREEN LIGHT AND BAM SHE HIT MY DRIVER SIDE. RECESSING MY FRONT TIRE 3 OR MORE INCHES IN TOWARDS MY ENGINE.”
2012 SUBARU IMPREZAApr 4, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11083187
Injury reportedCrash
“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. AS SHE ENTERED THE PARKING AREA, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS CAME OUT. THE ONLY INJURY TO HER WAS A BADLY SCRAPED RIGHT LEG AND CHEST PAIN. THE HOUSE SUFFERED DAMAGE.”
2012 SUBARU IMPREZADec 23, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11056232
Check your Impreza by VIN
Not every 2012 Subaru Impreza is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Subaru dealer.
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