Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2022 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 28 of 31 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 7
Against the median year of the Subaru Impreza. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2022 Subaru Impreza
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
320.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
320.0%
Other & Unspecified
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Steering
213.3%
Tires
16.7%
Lights
16.7%
Brakes
16.7%
Electrical System
16.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Engine & Cooling
16.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2021peak 3Mar 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Lake Frederick, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX], my 2022 Subaru Impreza caught fire in Lincolnwood, IL. My sister in-law and nephew escaped the vehicle just before it was consumed by the fire. The Lincolnwood Fire Department Fire Inspector said the fire was caused by a defected car battery. The car was declared a total loss. Subaru America only offered $2,000.00 credit towards the purchase of a new Subaru. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11665374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Hills, NYFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a three-lane parkway commuting to work, and the weather was clear. I was the only person in the vehicle. I left just after 7:40AM I had been driving for about 40 minutes. I had the cruise control ready to be set as I had turned it on briefly earlier in the drive, but it was not turned on at the time. When the cruise control button is pushed and "ready," lane keeping assistance turns on. The dashboard suddenly alerted saying the "Eyesight Driver Assist" was not working. Seconds later it said "check owner's manual" and then "check engine." Within a few seconds, the car began decelerating quickly. I got over to the right lane, turned on my hazard lights, and then pulled off on the shoulder where the car came to a full stop. I turned the car off and could see smoke coming from under the hood of the car. Within about 10 or 20 seconds, I climbed over the center console and out of the passenger door on the right and began backing quickly away from the car while watching it. The car then started on fire under the hood, and I called 911 immediately. My call to 911 was at 8:26AM. This whole incident--from driving to the start of the fire--occurred within about 1 minute or at most 2 minutes total. The car is a 2022 Subaru Impreza and was brand new. It had no prior issues or maintenance completed on the vehicle and no maintenance was due. I had the car for less than two months, and it had just over 1000 miles on it. I had never seen any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms on the car before. I had driven the car home from work the previous day and got home around 7:00PM. This was the first time I had seen any of the warning signs on the dashboard indicated above. The police department arrived within a few minutes and then the fire department arrived a few minutes after that. The fire spread to the entire vehicle and it was towed. The insurance company (GEICO) and Subaru indicated they will be investigating and inspecting the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11440139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
West Bloomfield, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle's rear brake lines (both left rear and right rear) had ballooning present. The issue was initially identified by an independent mechanic during brake pad and rotor replacement on all four wheels. The ballooning was subsequently confirmed during an inspection by a Subaru dealership technician. This issue posed a safety risk, as the compromised brake lines could rupture under braking pressure, potentially resulting in reduced or complete loss of braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash. To safely operate the vehicle, replacement of the rear brake lines was required. Per the dealership’s recommendation, the front brake lines were also replaced, as they advised that if the brake lines were from the same batch, there was a high likelihood of similar ballooning occurring in the front brake lines. No warning lamps illuminated.
NHTSA complaint #11725160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ayer, MA
ENGINE
We have a hesitation when hitting the gas with our Subaru Impreza. I took it to a mechanic who said there isn't officially an issue with the car, but it is consistent with a CRT transmition issue on other Subarus. The only way we are able to fix it is to take it to a Subaru dealership who insist there isn't an issue. I am not sure what to do but it seems like there is a consistent issue with the car model.
NHTSA complaint #11701455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ottawa, KS
POWER TRAIN
Front wheels locked up while doing 75 miles an hour. Per shop the transmission locked up. There were no signs of transmission failure car ran perfectly fine and had been serviced and new tires 7 days before. This could have caused a very serious accident.
NHTSA complaint #11668965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Frederick, VAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On [XXX], my 2022 Subaru Impreza caught fire in Lincolnwood, IL. My sister in-law and nephew escaped the vehicle just before it was consumed by the fire. The Lincolnwood Fire Department Fire Inspector said the fire was caused by a defected car battery. The car was declared a total loss. Subaru America only offered $2,000.00 credit towards the purchase of a new Subaru. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11665374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
TIRES
Driving between 40-50mph on streets, my tire burst and the rubber part completely shredded off. I just had my tires checked a couple weeks ago where they said everything was great. This tire completely disintegrated out of nowhere and nearly damaged my rim! The tire guy said there's no way this happened from a nail or road injury to the tire
NHTSA complaint #11644680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wall, PA
POWER TRAIN
To start of with the steering seems to loosen up while driving, it's hard to explain but while driving the vehicle it is very noticable that the car is jurking side to side , if your used to a certain pressure put on the steering wheel to turn or keep in a constant turn(like a long turn or steady turn on a long bend in a road , the steering loosens to the point that the pressure you are holding the car at going in the turn makes you go into oncoming traffic or to the opposite side towards the side of the road) and this is not a good situation to be in it's starting to happen more frequently now , before I thought it was a slippery spot or ice ,no it's on dry surfaces (road ways) the next thing is the power train, it seems to be a bumping sensation especially up a hill or grade it's getting more prominent (in transmission perhaps) I've been a mechanic for over 40+ years now retired so the newer stuff I'm not savy on but I know what's being sead .now I m looking into any recalls for the 2022 Subaru impreza I know I can't be the only one experiencing these problems??? Another thing is the windows in the front doors (both front windows) when you put them up in the automatic faze they will go up but come back down to the center of the opening ,this happens a lot but not ?? It will do it for a few days , then it won't do it for a week or longer , then it does it again a few days ,you get the picture right , should of stuck with our first pick of vehicle instead of with this one , I do not think it's a safe car at all !!!
NHTSA complaint #11631888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wall, PA
STEERING
To start of with the steering seems to loosen up while driving, it's hard to explain but while driving the vehicle it is very noticable that the car is jurking side to side , if your used to a certain pressure put on the steering wheel to turn or keep in a constant turn(like a long turn or steady turn on a long bend in a road , the steering loosens to the point that the pressure you are holding the car at going in the turn makes you go into oncoming traffic or to the opposite side towards the side of the road) and this is not a good situation to be in it's starting to happen more frequently now , before I thought it was a slippery spot or ice ,no it's on dry surfaces (road ways) the next thing is the power train, it seems to be a bumping sensation especially up a hill or grade it's getting more prominent (in transmission perhaps) I've been a mechanic for over 40+ years now retired so the newer stuff I'm not savy on but I know what's being sead .now I m looking into any recalls for the 2022 Subaru impreza I know I can't be the only one experiencing these problems??? Another thing is the windows in the front doors (both front windows) when you put them up in the automatic faze they will go up but come back down to the center of the opening ,this happens a lot but not ?? It will do it for a few days , then it won't do it for a week or longer , then it does it again a few days ,you get the picture right , should of stuck with our first pick of vehicle instead of with this one , I do not think it's a safe car at all !!!
NHTSA complaint #11631888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wall, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
To start of with the steering seems to loosen up while driving, it's hard to explain but while driving the vehicle it is very noticable that the car is jurking side to side , if your used to a certain pressure put on the steering wheel to turn or keep in a constant turn(like a long turn or steady turn on a long bend in a road , the steering loosens to the point that the pressure you are holding the car at going in the turn makes you go into oncoming traffic or to the opposite side towards the side of the road) and this is not a good situation to be in it's starting to happen more frequently now , before I thought it was a slippery spot or ice ,no it's on dry surfaces (road ways) the next thing is the power train, it seems to be a bumping sensation especially up a hill or grade it's getting more prominent (in transmission perhaps) I've been a mechanic for over 40+ years now retired so the newer stuff I'm not savy on but I know what's being sead .now I m looking into any recalls for the 2022 Subaru impreza I know I can't be the only one experiencing these problems??? Another thing is the windows in the front doors (both front windows) when you put them up in the automatic faze they will go up but come back down to the center of the opening ,this happens a lot but not ?? It will do it for a few days , then it won't do it for a week or longer , then it does it again a few days ,you get the picture right , should of stuck with our first pick of vehicle instead of with this one , I do not think it's a safe car at all !!!
NHTSA complaint #11631888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Bend, WI
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle was at a stoplight. Once the light turned green, the driver stepped on the gas. All of a sudden the car would not move, all the warning lights came on, and we could smell a burning smell. The car was towed to the dealership where it was purchased. They discovered a rubber hose leading to the transmission had somehow gotten cut and all the transmission fluid leaked out. This caused a total transmission failure according to the dealer. It must have happened almost instantaneously as there was no warning prior to this. This hose is clearly critical to the operation of the vehicle and safety of the occupants, yet is totally exposed to the underside of the car. If the failure occurred while the vehicle was moving, it could have been a serious safety issue. It seems like a simple steel braided hose or a metal tube should have been used on such a critical part.
NHTSA complaint #11533087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Republic, MO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked spontaneously at the middle base of the windshield in a perfect arch. Crack appears to be on the inside of the glass. No impacts or anything hit the windshield, no reason for this to happen. My car is parked in a garage. Called Subaru, they insist there is no recall.
NHTSA complaint #11500276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holladay, UT
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield suddenly cracked on the freeway not due to rocks or anything, and has since spread dramatically. Visibility is affected as the sun will glisten throughout driving and all of the cracks almost to the point it’s shattered obstruct view and cause objects to appear the a slightly different area. Subaru has apparently known about this for years and they haven’t remedied it, in addition the offer a protection plan for windshield when you buy it new, but they’ll only replace 2 of them, and every subsequent windshield is subject to the same problem
NHTSA complaint #11482687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
STEERING
I picked up my vehicle that was made to order from the factory on 2/18/22. I drove the car for 12 days and found the steering to be over sensitive. The steering wheel felt disconnected from the car. I returned the car to the dealer from which it was purchased. The service advisor test drove the car and documented on the invoice that the car felt like” it wanders”. He also verbally stated on the phone that “he had a hard time keeping it in lane.” He contributed the problem to the tires being “over inflated “. He informed me that he “let some air out of the tires and that the problem seemed to resolve itself.Three weeks later I returned to the same dealership with the same issue.This time they reported back to me that the car drove like normal for their technicians. I believe they are simply saying that there is nothing wrong with the car simply because they need their loner back.
NHTSA complaint #11464918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I turn my vehicle on while am waiting to car to get warm i turn on the heat the windshield crack by it self
NHTSA complaint #11453945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I turn my vehicle on while am waiting to car to get warm i turn on the heat the windshield crack by it self
NHTSA complaint #11453945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Hills, NYFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a three-lane parkway commuting to work, and the weather was clear. I was the only person in the vehicle. I left just after 7:40AM I had been driving for about 40 minutes. I had the cruise control ready to be set as I had turned it on briefly earlier in the drive, but it was not turned on at the time. When the cruise control button is pushed and "ready," lane keeping assistance turns on. The dashboard suddenly alerted saying the "Eyesight Driver Assist" was not working. Seconds later it said "check owner's manual" and then "check engine." Within a few seconds, the car began decelerating quickly. I got over to the right lane, turned on my hazard lights, and then pulled off on the shoulder where the car came to a full stop. I turned the car off and could see smoke coming from under the hood of the car. Within about 10 or 20 seconds, I climbed over the center console and out of the passenger door on the right and began backing quickly away from the car while watching it. The car then started on fire under the hood, and I called 911 immediately. My call to 911 was at 8:26AM. This whole incident--from driving to the start of the fire--occurred within about 1 minute or at most 2 minutes total. The car is a 2022 Subaru Impreza and was brand new. It had no prior issues or maintenance completed on the vehicle and no maintenance was due. I had the car for less than two months, and it had just over 1000 miles on it. I had never seen any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms on the car before. I had driven the car home from work the previous day and got home around 7:00PM. This was the first time I had seen any of the warning signs on the dashboard indicated above. The police department arrived within a few minutes and then the fire department arrived a few minutes after that. The fire spread to the entire vehicle and it was towed. The insurance company (GEICO) and Subaru indicated they will be investigating and inspecting the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11440139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.