FaultScore

Subaru Impreza window and wiper problems

319 of the 3,451 complaints filed about the Subaru Impreza are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2019.

319

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

1993 Impreza 17 5.3%
1994 Impreza 1 0.3%
1995 Impreza 4 1.3%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

1996 Impreza 1 0.3%
1997 Impreza 2 0.6%
1998 Impreza 1 0.3%
1999 Impreza 1 0.3%
2000 Impreza 3 0.9%
2002 Impreza 17 5.3%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2003 Impreza 2 0.6%

Median failure at 25,000 miles

2004 Impreza 4 1.3%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2005 Impreza 3 0.9%

Median failure at 2,500 miles

2006 Impreza 2 0.6%

Median failure at 3,500 miles

2007 Impreza 2 0.6%

Median failure at 108,055 miles

2008 Impreza 27 8.5%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2009 Impreza 3 0.9%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2010 Impreza 6 1.9%

Median failure at 35,025 miles

2011 Impreza 8 2.5%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2012 Impreza 7 2.2%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

2013 Impreza 3 0.9%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2014 Impreza 1 0.3%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

2015 Impreza 4 1.3%

Median failure at 24,261 miles

2016 Impreza 5 1.6%

Median failure at 2,300 miles

2017 Impreza 26 8.2%

Median failure at 31,000 miles

2018 Impreza 39 12.2%

Median failure at 25,250 miles

2019 Impreza 60 18.8%

Median failure at 10,300 miles

2020 Impreza 56 17.6%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

2021 Impreza 3 0.9%
2022 Impreza 3 0.9%
2024 Impreza 8 2.5%

What owners said

2020 Subaru Impreza York, ME

VISIBILITY/WIPER

For the second year in a row my windshield has cracked. Nothing hit it, or happened to make it crack. Both cracks were long and coming from the bottom of the windshield under the passenger wiper blade. I noticed it today, 4/28/26 and the same thing happened in the beginning of April last year with the same circumstances (or lack thereof).

NHTSA complaint #11734220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Lady Lake, FL

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

My base level 2024 Subaru Impreza , while driving, has a vibration and shake in the drivers side rearview mirror at speeds over 25 mph, making it difficult to see clearly behind my vehicle. Vibration was present as a new vehicle and have reported issue to service advisor at Sport Subaru of Orlando Florida as a new vehicle owner.

NHTSA complaint #11731863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Impreza Milford, MI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)

NHTSA complaint #11718214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Subaru Impreza LAS Vegas, NV

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE NOW HAD 4 WINDSHIELDS CRACK AND BREAK AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME ONE LITTLE ROCK HITS THE WINDSHIELD BOOM ANOTHER FULL REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. EVERY TIME I GO FOR A ROAD TRIP THIS KEEPS HAPPENING THE MUST BE A DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN OR TYPE OF GLASS USED FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA 2020 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #11715092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Subaru Impreza at 92,860 miles Midvale, UT

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 92,860.

NHTSA complaint #11685042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Egg Harbor Township, NJ

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Driver Side Mirror vibrates very badly at speeds of about 50mph and up making it difficult to see what is in the mirror. This was dangerous. I pulled off the mirror and glued foam behind it and it now vibrates less and I can see out of the mirror better but it still vibrates and distorts the mirror's image.

NHTSA complaint #11684962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Lady Lake, FL

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Since new, the image/reflection of the driver side rear view mirror shakes and unsteady at speed. The passenger side rear view mirror is rock steady and stable with a clear image/reflection. This creates a safety issue because the image I see in the mirror is distorted. This is an ongoing issue. It always happens during every drive.

NHTSA complaint #11682011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Everett, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

My vehicle’s windshield developed an approximately 4-inch crack starting at the base of the glass without any impact point. There is no visible sign of damage or debris strike anywhere near the crack. The crack appeared suddenly and has since extended across the entire height of the windshield. Because the crack originated without any impact, it appears to be a defect in the windshield itself.

NHTSA complaint #11677920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Port Chester, NY

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Driver side auto dimming with approach light mirror vibration on highway making road, cars and headlights jump around and causing driver distraction. Notified dealership who told me to contact Subaru of America. Due to safety I went to a dealership and had side mirrors switched to non dimming which lessened vibration.

NHTSA complaint #11641875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Subaru Impreza at 129,173 miles Milford, NJ

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

The contact's son's father owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon activating the heating system, a burning odor would emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic discovered melted plastic; as well as black soot, inside the vehicle's instrument panel and harness blower resistor. The contact stated that an unknown fuse and the heater motor were replaced; however, the failure returned. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer(Prestige Subaru of Turnersville NJ) where a diagnostic was performed and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact reached out to the manufacturer but was offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 129,173

NHTSA complaint #11640388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Impreza Baltimore, MD Crash

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. I went to get the recall fixed when I found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.

NHTSA complaint #11640254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Impreza Berlin Heights, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was under the vehicle changing the oil and heard a loud bang. I investigated the sound and didn't notice anything. After completion of the oil change I got into the driver seat and noticed my rear view mirror was hanging by the wires. It had come loose from the windshield taking a big chunk of glass out of the windshield. It left a gash approximately almost 3/4 of an inch deep by 1.5 inches long by about 3/4 of an inch wide. This seriously degrades the strength and puts any occupants at risk. The windshield can not be repaired and will have to be replaced. Cost of replacement is approximately $413.58.

NHTSA complaint #11627043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Kenosha, WI

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Driver side mirror shaking, blurry, vibrating on new 2024 Impreza. Makes one motion sick due to vibration while driving. The driver side mirror is shaking/vibrating and blurring out license plates, took it to dealer and while they do notice some shaking while increasing speed they don’t see any reason to fix it even though it mashes driving rather unsafe on highway. It is a little blurry/shakes around 20 mph and gets worse as speed goes up. When I hit 40-60 mph, it is constantly blurred or shaking.

NHTSA complaint #11622846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Mountain Top, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I have not had an accident yet. I bought this vehicle in May and recently drove it at night. This vehicle is a nighmare!!!! The LED steering responsive headlights are absolutely horrible and you cannot drive this vehicle at night using the low beams. If you are on a completely level road, you'll be ok. If you are on a road with at least a slight dip in the road, these headlights face downward in front of you about 30 yards out max. That means you cannot see anything beyond where the beam hits the road. You would have to drive with high beams on constantly and this is an absolute safety hazard to my family and other vehicles and pedestrians. This problem goes back to 2017 and has been recalled up to 2019. There is not a fix for it and why they still installed these lights till today is beyond comprehension. I literally purchased a vehicle that my wife or I cannot drive. All you have to do is google this problem and you'll read a vast amount of complaints from people who have these headlights. Why are you not doing anything to correct this? I ask that somebody help us!! I took my vehicle back to the dealer and all they did was adjust the headlights 6 inches which is comical. You can come and drive my car at night if you think I'm just blowing smoke. Please tell me what you are going to do and don't tell me I have to have an accident first before you will act on this.

NHTSA complaint #11613164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Subaru Impreza Springfield, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

While car was parked. Front windshield developed crack in the lower mid section of windshield. There was no damage to windshield that would have resulted in cracking. Crack has since spread.

NHTSA complaint #11605501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Subaru Impreza Farmington, NH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Windshield breaks (cracks) very easily. I have owned/driven cars for 45 years, during the first 41 years I have only had to replace one (1) windshield. Since I have owned this vehicle (Subaru), I am now onto windshield number five (5). Are they making these windows with inferior materials or thinner? I hate to think that an inferior window will not hold up or perform as designed in a major accident, possibly causing greater injury or death.

NHTSA complaint #11595823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Impreza at 52,000 miles Newton, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle in the morning, she noticed that the windshield was cracked. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the windshield had cracked without impact. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA complaint #11592996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Subaru Impreza Wakefield, RI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

A crack in the windshield appeared one day with no apparent reason.

NHTSA complaint #11591821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Subaru Impreza West Hempstead, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Headlights Recall from 8/2022 still has no remedy available. NHTSA Recall Number22V624000

NHTSA complaint #11569799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Impreza Fresno, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I am logging a complaint regarding my Subaru Impreza 2017 windshield. I bought new in 2017, and it currently has only about 55k miles. The windshield is completely covered (literally thousands) of tiny pinpoint chips. At certain times of day (usually sunset) the glare that this causes is so bad that visibility is very poor and driving is almost scary. I contacted the dealership and they said they haven’t heard of this issue. I drive regular roads and with this low of a mileage, I shouldn’t be having to think about replacing my windshield. I’ve driven cars with triple the mileage and windshields don’t look like this.

NHTSA complaint #11557801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Subaru Impreza problems