Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2025 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between 2025 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 17 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 — 5
Against the median year of the Subaru Impreza. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2025 Subaru Impreza
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
220.0%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
220.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
Median failure at 2,700 miles
Lights
110.0%
Median failure at 75 miles
Brakes
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,250 mi
Steering
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,250 mi
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 6,250 mi
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.
Sep 2025peak 3Aug 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
STEERING
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Alexandria, VA
POWER TRAIN
On three separate occasions between August 2025 and June 2026, my car engine revved continuously and noisily, and acceleration was sluggish at best. During that time frame, I took it to two different dealerships (on four separate occasions) and an independent auto repair shop. None was able to duplicate the problem, but on my third visit to a dealership, the technician found metal shavings in the oil pan and the forward clutch was leaking and unable to hold pressure. The transmission assembly was replaced by the problem recurred: I was going 27 mph, the car's rpm registered close to 5,000, the engine noise was very loud, and there was halting acceleration. Fortunately, none of these incidents has happened while highway driving. I am selling the vehicle to Sheehy Subaru and want these incidents on the record. Subaru Customer Advocacy is aware of the issues I have experienced with the car.
NHTSA complaint #11756782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On three separate occasions between August 2025 and June 2026, my car engine revved continuously and noisily, and acceleration was sluggish at best. During that time frame, I took it to two different dealerships (on four separate occasions) and an independent auto repair shop. None was able to duplicate the problem, but on my third visit to a dealership, the technician found metal shavings in the oil pan and the forward clutch was leaking and unable to hold pressure. The transmission assembly was replaced by the problem recurred: I was going 27 mph, the car's rpm registered close to 5,000, the engine noise was very loud, and there was halting acceleration. Fortunately, none of these incidents has happened while highway driving. I am selling the vehicle to Sheehy Subaru and want these incidents on the record. Subaru Customer Advocacy is aware of the issues I have experienced with the car.
NHTSA complaint #11756782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
STEERING
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,250 milesGarland, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The vehicle ended up crashing into a nearby pole post. The air bags deployed. The driver received a hematoma on their left arm from embracing for impact of the embrace. When the ambulance arrived, they tended to the injury, but the contact was not taken to receive further medical attention. The police department was contacted, and a police report was made. The vehicle was towed, but had not been deemed totaled as of yet. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,250.
NHTSA complaint #11732323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75 milesShirleysburg, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at nighttime, the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination of the roadway ahead, reducing the driver's ability to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the headlights were raised; however, the contact stated that the failure worsened while driving in foggy or rainy weather, requiring the driver to follow another vehicle to drive safely. The traction control warning light was illuminated, and the message that the Eyesight Driver Assist system was disabled was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was sold brand new without a spare tire. The contact attempted to purchase a spare tire, but the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 75.
NHTSA complaint #11722414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,700 milesSilver Spring, MD
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Transmission Failure Communication warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnosis was not available. Fault code: P1894 was retrieved. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the same local dealer and another local dealer for a second opinion on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.
NHTSA complaint #11704720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
So far I went to Herb Gordon Auto World in Silver Spring At least three times for the eyesight system that keeps malfunctioning and they said each time there's no codes and no sensor or system error light codes on. I called and talked to Subaru customer service three times and on the fourth time I was told to go to another Subaru dealer and have it looked at as a second opinion on the 16th of aug I went to Fitzgerald Auto Mall after I talked to the service advisor Matt and found out that it had a code in it in the history PO1894 which Herb Gordon Auto World either didn't figure out how to find or was too incompetent to find it. According to Matt at Fitzgerald the code is a communication error from the transmission which is not a good thing to have on a brand new car. I guess Mark was the specialist and kelly is his assistant. I also talked to Erica on the 21st of August. Erica said the floater Dawn was going to call me after she talks to Fitzgerald Subaru about the code. I talked to Kelly on the 21st. and than Mark the same day. When I talk to Matt who is supposed to be the head of this case #[XXX] he told me this places you win said they can't advise a fix so we're just going to wait until you have any more problems with it and then we could fix it then maybe so I said can you not find the source of the transmission communication problem he said well we would have to find a fix to it and we can't right now certificate can't fix it or find out the source where it's coming from we have nothing to do now with it unless you have more problems and I said if I'm on the Beltway and the communication fails again will everything go off and then the car will stop now having an accident and possibly be killed So to that he stated well that's what insurance is for. This is all safety equipment because the lights come on at first that shows the eyesight error and all the red lights come on that say all the Collision avoiding systems are not working INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA complaint #11684372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
So far I went to Herb Gordon Auto World in Silver Spring At least three times for the eyesight system that keeps malfunctioning and they said each time there's no codes and no sensor or system error light codes on. I called and talked to Subaru customer service three times and on the fourth time I was told to go to another Subaru dealer and have it looked at as a second opinion on the 16th of aug I went to Fitzgerald Auto Mall after I talked to the service advisor Matt and found out that it had a code in it in the history PO1894 which Herb Gordon Auto World either didn't figure out how to find or was too incompetent to find it. According to Matt at Fitzgerald the code is a communication error from the transmission which is not a good thing to have on a brand new car. I guess Mark was the specialist and kelly is his assistant. I also talked to Erica on the 21st of August. Erica said the floater Dawn was going to call me after she talks to Fitzgerald Subaru about the code. I talked to Kelly on the 21st. and than Mark the same day. When I talk to Matt who is supposed to be the head of this case #[XXX] he told me this places you win said they can't advise a fix so we're just going to wait until you have any more problems with it and then we could fix it then maybe so I said can you not find the source of the transmission communication problem he said well we would have to find a fix to it and we can't right now certificate can't fix it or find out the source where it's coming from we have nothing to do now with it unless you have more problems and I said if I'm on the Beltway and the communication fails again will everything go off and then the car will stop now having an accident and possibly be killed So to that he stated well that's what insurance is for. This is all safety equipment because the lights come on at first that shows the eyesight error and all the red lights come on that say all the Collision avoiding systems are not working INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA complaint #11684372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
So far I went to Herb Gordon Auto World in Silver Spring At least three times for the eyesight system that keeps malfunctioning and they said each time there's no codes and no sensor or system error light codes on. I called and talked to Subaru customer service three times and on the fourth time I was told to go to another Subaru dealer and have it looked at as a second opinion on the 16th of aug I went to Fitzgerald Auto Mall after I talked to the service advisor Matt and found out that it had a code in it in the history PO1894 which Herb Gordon Auto World either didn't figure out how to find or was too incompetent to find it. According to Matt at Fitzgerald the code is a communication error from the transmission which is not a good thing to have on a brand new car. I guess Mark was the specialist and kelly is his assistant. I also talked to Erica on the 21st of August. Erica said the floater Dawn was going to call me after she talks to Fitzgerald Subaru about the code. I talked to Kelly on the 21st. and than Mark the same day. When I talk to Matt who is supposed to be the head of this case #[XXX] he told me this places you win said they can't advise a fix so we're just going to wait until you have any more problems with it and then we could fix it then maybe so I said can you not find the source of the transmission communication problem he said well we would have to find a fix to it and we can't right now certificate can't fix it or find out the source where it's coming from we have nothing to do now with it unless you have more problems and I said if I'm on the Beltway and the communication fails again will everything go off and then the car will stop now having an accident and possibly be killed So to that he stated well that's what insurance is for. This is all safety equipment because the lights come on at first that shows the eyesight error and all the red lights come on that say all the Collision avoiding systems are not working INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA complaint #11684372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.