Is the Ford Focus more reliable than the Subaru Impreza?

Based on our data, the Subaru Impreza is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 56/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?

The Ford Focus has more recalls (65) compared to the Subaru Impreza (18). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Impreza has a lower complaint rate at 4.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63 for the Ford Focus. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Focus is cheaper to maintain at $569/year versus $653/year for the Subaru Impreza.

Last updated: 2026-08-24

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza: Reliability Compared

Ford Focus

Mixed

More Reliable

Subaru Impreza

Good

Choosing between the Ford Focus and the Subaru Impreza? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Subaru Impreza currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 56/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru Impreza is in its sixth generation, which began in 2024. This generation is relatively new, which can sometimes mean the potential for first-year issues as the platform matures. However, Subaru's history of facelifts, such as the 2020 update during the fifth generation, suggests they are proactive in addressing issues. The Ford Focus is currently in its fourth generation, introduced in 2018 and last redesigned in 2021. This generation has had several years to mature and refine, generally indicating a more stable and reliable performance. The Focus's history of regular updates suggests that Ford has worked to resolve any early issues, resulting in a more reliable platform over time.

Verdict

The Subaru Impreza is more reliable than the Ford Focus, scoring 74/100 vs 56/100.

The Subaru Impreza significantly outperforms the Ford Focus in reliability, with an average score of 74/100 compared to the Focus's 56/100. The Impreza also has a lower owner complaint rate of 4.1 per 10,000 sold, while the Focus has a much higher rate of 82.2. Although the Ford Focus has a slightly lower estimated annual repair cost at $569 versus the Impreza's $653, the Impreza's fewer recalls and more manageable common issues make it the more reliable choice for compact sedan buyers.

Key Differences

1Ford Focus costs $84 less per year to repair
2Subaru Impreza has 58.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Subaru Impreza has 47 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Focus

—

3Subaru Impreza

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Focus	Subaru Impreza
Reliability Score	56/100	74/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	65	18
Complaints per 10k Sold	63	4.1
Annual Repair Cost	$569/yr	$653/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	17%
Year Wins	0	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza?

The Subaru Impreza and Ford Focus exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Impreza primarily facing issues in visibility and wiper systems, totaling 136 complaints, followed closely by exterior lighting with 126 complaints, including two crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Ford Focus shows a significant concentration of complaints in the power train category with 4,524 issues, 58 of which are crash-linked, indicating a severe reliability concern. While both vehicles report electrical system problems, the Focus has a broader range of issues across critical components such as steering and engine, with higher crash-linked occurrences compared to the Impreza. Overall, the Ford Focus demonstrates a more severe reliability profile, particularly in critical safety-related systems.

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Focus	Subaru Impreza
POWER TRAIN	32.8High	0.1Very Low
STEERING	5Average	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	4.7Average	0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.4Average	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	3.3Average	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1.9Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.1Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1.2Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	1.2Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	1.1Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.8Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.2Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Focus or Subaru Impreza?

Industry estimates suggest that the Subaru Impreza incurs an annual repair cost of $653, while the Ford Focus costs $569 annually. This means the Impreza is $84 more expensive per year, which sums up to $420 over five years. Both vehicles share a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, indicating similar reliability in terms of visit frequency. However, the Impreza has a higher major repair risk at 17% compared to the Focus's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Ford Focus presents a better value, offering lower repair costs and reduced risk of major repairs over time.

How Does Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Focus	Subaru Impreza	Edge
2018	59/1007R / 825C	69/1005R / 148C	Subaru Impreza

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Ford Focus scored 59/100 and the 2018 Subaru Impreza scored 69/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Focus vs the Subaru Impreza?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Subaru Impreza is your best choice. With a reliability score of 74/100 and only 4.1 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it stands out as a dependable option. Although its estimated annual repair cost is slightly higher at $653, the lower major repair risk of 17% and fewer recalls (18 in total) make it a solid investment for those who value long-term reliability. On the other hand, if keeping costs down is your main concern, you might consider the Ford Focus. While its reliability score is lower at 56/100, it offers a more affordable estimated annual repair cost of $569. However, be prepared for a higher volume of issues, as indicated by 82.2 owner complaints per 10,000 sold and a significant 79 recalls. Ultimately, choose the Focus if budget is your main constraint and you’re willing to manage potential repair hassles.

Ford Focus vs Subaru Impreza: Common Questions

Is the Ford Focus more reliable than the Subaru Impreza?: Based on our data, the Subaru Impreza is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 56/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?: The Ford Focus has more recalls (65) compared to the Subaru Impreza (18). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Impreza has a lower complaint rate at 4.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 63 for the Ford Focus. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Focus or the Subaru Impreza?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Focus is cheaper to maintain at $569/year versus $653/year for the Subaru Impreza.

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More Subaru Impreza comparisons

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Decided between Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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