Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2013 Subaru ImprezaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 251 owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve air bags (79) and engine (75). The EPA rates it 19–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–30mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Feb 2019
Owner complaints
251
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Feb 28, 2019NHTSA 19V149000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 1, 2018NHTSA 18V772000

Electrical system

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 13, 2016NHTSA 16V738000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

251 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2013 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags79
  2. Engine75
  3. Electrical system34
  4. Service brakes23
  5. Power train23
  6. Steering14
  7. Vehicle speed control13
  8. Seats9
  9. Exterior lighting7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199626
199734
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002296
200364
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008209
2009113
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201579
201675
2019194
202432
20255
20261
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

79 reports4 crashes
“Air bags did not go off after a car accident with a commercial box truck, car seems to be totaled. Insurance is going to inspect vehicle to confirm it being totaled. No warning lights were on at the time. Just passed inspection a month a month ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2025Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11701791

Engine

75 reports1 crash3 fires
“I took my car to McCurley Subaru on Wed, [XXX] to have recalls repaired. They were unable to repair the recall due to rusted out brackets and bolts. McCurley contacted Subaru of America and opened a case trying to seek an alternate remedy to this issue. Subaru refused to offer alternate solutions so I am stuck driving an unsafe vehicle with a Federal Mandated recall that cannot be repaired. On my way home after picking up the car, it stalled out on a major highway, blocking traffic and causing unsafe conditions for myself, my 7 yo daughter and other people on the road. The check engine light is on continuously and the car runs so roughly that I am afraid to drive it any longer. Subaru of America opened Case Number: [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026EngineODI 11771365

Electrical system

34 reports2 fires
“There is a plug on wiring harness that fits into speed control for the environmental system. The control is part of this piece 72311fj050. The connection overheated and and burned the plug and the speed control switch The blower motor is now broken. In [XXX] a car without defrosters is mostly useless. I had 2 different mechanics at 2 different repair places confirm this is the problem. There was no way to indication from the car that anything was wrong. The problem could have happened anytime even when driving in blizzard or 70 mph on the highway. I have the defective parts for your inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11772492
All 2013 Impreza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impreza AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150299
Impreza Wagon AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150299
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
243328$2,300313
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400316
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800426
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800426
Impreza AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
  • Impreza AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Impreza SW AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7191Vehicle 7190
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Impreza questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Impreza have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 251 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (79), engine (75), electrical system (34). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Subaru Impreza at 19–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Impreza?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Subaru Impreza 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026