Home · 2013 Subaru Impreza · Complaints

What 248 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Impreza

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (248)Crash / fire / injury (20)Airbags (79)Engine (74)Electrical system (33)Brakes (24)Transmission & drivetrain (23)Steering (14)Speed control (13)Seats (9)Lights (7)Body & structure (6)

4 of 248 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Sep 3, 2025LightsBrakesEngineFire

Vehicle Fire Summary – Arvada, CO On [XXX] at approximately [XXX], the Arvada Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire on [XXX] . The vehicle involved was a 2013 gray Subaru Impreza WRX. The driver reported noticing smoke coming from the engine compartment before pulling over to the shoulder. Within minutes, flames became visible. Fire crews arrived promptly and extinguished the fire. Both the driver and one passenger were able to evacuate the vehicle safely, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle sustained a total loss due to fire damage. Preliminary findings suggest a possible mechanical or electrical malfunction, though the exact cause remains under investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11684703

Dec 16, 2022Engine & coolingEngineFire

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph when the check engine illuminated and a loud rattling noise emitted from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle then suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer had replaced the engine. Approximately after the repair while they were driving approximately 40 mph when the same failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer who replaced the engine again. After the second replacement while driving the vehicle was part the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was called and put out the fire. No injuries, medical attention needed. The contact's insurance had replaced the engine a third time. Again, while driving at the same speeds the check engine light suddenly illuminated and the vehicle began rattling underneath the hood. The contact also smelled a fuel burning odor coming into the vehicle. The contact had pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497752

Jan 7, 2020AirbagsBody & structureEngineCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON I-10 ON 11/27/2019 AT 2 PM. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60- TO 65 MPH AND HIT A SUV THAT HAD STOPPED IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ( PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE) I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. I RECEIVED CONTUSIONS FROM MY RIGHT HIP TO MY LEFT CLAVICLE BUT NO BROKEN BONES.

NHTSA ODI 11297758

Oct 20, 2019EngineFire

FACTORY RECALL FOR A VALVE SPRING AND BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS COMPLETED ON SEPT.25, 2019. THE CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON OCTOBER 18, 2019. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE FIRE MARSHAL WAS PRESENT TO DOCUMENT AND TAKE PHOTOS. MY CAR WAS TOWED. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO CARS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11269739

Working with the data? Download all 248 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 12, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Subaru Impreza verdict →