RoadVitals

2022 Subaru Impreza

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Mar 18, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 22, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2022 Subaru Impreza, most frequently naming the visibility, powertrain (other) and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 244 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility323.1%
  • Powertrain (other)323.1%
  • Steering215.4%
  • Engine17.7%
  • Exterior lighting17.7%
  • Brakes17.7%
  • Tires & wheels17.7%
  • Electrical17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Sep 22, 2022
42 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
The risk: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRH-22View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2026

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 ID
11725160
Incident
Mar 9, 2026
Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2025

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 ID
11701455
Incident
Nov 11, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2025

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 ID
11668965
Incident
Jun 21, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jun 6, 2025
Fire reported

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 ID
11665374
Incident
Mar 6, 2025
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 24, 2025

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 ID
11644680
Incident
Feb 22, 2025
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 20, 2024

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 ID
11631888
Incident
Dec 20, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2023

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 ID
11533087
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 2023

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 ID
11500276
Incident
Jan 4, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

09-123-24R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin announces the design change made to the high-pressure fuel pump developed to prevent DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure – Too Low Bank 1). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

16-159-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.

02-193-24R

ENGINE

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

09-74-21R

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

16-159-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Impreza by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100
2025400
2024302053.2
2023420
2022Viewing121049.5
2021142043.4
2020851044.8
20191935050.2
20181495050.0
20171257056.3
2016751043.2
2015772046.5
20141083055.2
20132494052.7
20122426154.1
20115714060.7
20104515050.7
200910315050.5
200817615051.6
2007689159.9
20065610152.4
2005756361.5
2004968460.2
2003626564.6
20022926458.8
2001113059.0
2000414052.4
1999224048.4
1998303044.1
1997303057.1
1996203056.7
1995464268.4
1994832
1993333059.2
1990100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.