Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Impreza Reliability by Year
Subaru Impreza reliability is good, but windshields that crack with no impact and a stalled headlight recall repair show up in owner complaints.
Subaru Impreza Reliability Overview
Reliability is good overall and close to average among sedans, with 2022 the pick for a used buy and 2019 the year to skip. The recurring headaches are windshields that crack with no impact and a headlight recall repair that owners say cannot be finished because parts are unavailable. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep at $653, above the $526 compact average.
Current generation: 6th gen (2024–2023).
Best & Worst Subaru Impreza Years
Best Subaru Impreza Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2022 model has far fewer owner complaints than 2019 or 2018, and only one recall against five for each of those years. It avoids the wave of headlight recall filings and dead-battery reports. It is not flawless: windshield cracks, steering wander, and two transmission reports appear, so inspect those areas.
Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid
Low beams light too little of the road at night. Most filings come from owners waiting on a headlight recall part that dealers say is unavailable, some for nearly two years. Windshields crack early, with reports near 3,000 miles. Batteries also die after the car sits, and some owners have replaced three or four.
Subaru Impreza Reliability Score Trend
Subaru Impreza reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 76/100 compared to 70/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Subaru Impreza
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Has no complaints or recalls on file yet, which mostly reflects limited time on the road rather than a proven record.
2025 Subaru Impreza
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Far fewer complaints than 2024 and no recalls, but early transmission communication errors and above-class repair costs are the points to check.
2024 Subaru Impreza
2 recalls · 23 complaints
Good standing, but owners report a shaking driver's side mirror and cracking windshields, with two recalls and more complaints than the 2023 or 2025.
2023 Subaru Impreza
2 recalls · 4 complaints
Final year of the fifth generation, with good reliability, fewer owner complaints than the 2022 or 2024 models, and two recalls on file.
2022 Subaru Impreza
1 recalls · 11 complaints
Rates among the stronger Impreza years, with fewer complaints than 2021, though cracking windshields and sudden transmission failures stand out.
2021 Subaru Impreza
2 recalls · 14 complaints
Good standing and a 5-star crash rating, but a do-not-drive recall and a weaker position than neighbors 2020 and 2022 set this year apart.
2020 Subaru Impreza
1 recalls · 83 complaints
Mid-ranked among nine years, it rates better than both 2019 and 2021, though windshield cracking accounts for most owner complaints.
2019 Subaru Impreza
5 recalls · 185 complaints
Weakest scored Impreza year, with dim low beams tied to a recall repair owners struggle to get and windshields that crack early.
2018 Subaru Impreza
5 recalls · 148 complaints
Close to average among 2018 sedans yet one of the weaker Impreza years, with headlight recall delays and cracking windshields leading owner complaints.
Found Your Subaru Impreza? Check Its History
Exterior lighting (62) problems come up most in Subaru Impreza owner complaints, and 18 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Subaru Impreza Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$653
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
17%
$127 above the compact cars average of $526/yr.
Ranked #33 of 36 among compact cars.
Subaru Impreza Resale Value
The Subaru Impreza is estimated to retain about 65.2% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 65.2%
- Depreciation
- 34.8%
- Listings Analyzed
- 182
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Subaru Impreza depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comSubaru Impreza Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Subaru Impreza With Similar Sedans
The Subaru Impreza competes with other compact sedans such as Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Golf, and Kia Forte.
Impreza vs Volkswagen Beetle
2 years tracked · 41 complaints
Impreza vs Volkswagen Golf
9 years tracked · 394 complaints
Impreza vs Kia Forte
7 years tracked · 495 complaints
Impreza vs Ford Focus
6 years tracked · 8694 complaints
Impreza vs BMW 2 Series
9 years tracked · 560 complaints
More Subaru Impreza comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used Subaru Impreza?
- The 2022 model is the site's pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It has one recall and a small complaint count. The 2025 and 2026 years rate well, but they are too new to have collected many complaints, so they are not proven.
- Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
- Yes, overall reliability is good and close to average among sedans on the site. Every tracked model year rates good or better. The weak spots are concentrated in 2018 and 2019, which carry most of the complaints, mainly about windshields and headlight recall delays.
- What are the most common Subaru Impreza problems?
- Windshields that crack with no impact point are the top complaint. Next come headlight recall repairs that owners cannot get finished because parts are unavailable. Electrical reports are less common but include batteries that die repeatedly and a Starlink screen that reboots, drops Bluetooth, or shows a black backup camera.
- How much does a Subaru Impreza cost to repair each year?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates $653 a year. That is higher than the $526 average for compact cars. Owners who replace cracked windshields report paying about $1000 each time when warranty and insurance did not cover the glass.
- Do Subaru Impreza windshields really crack on their own?
- Many owners say so. They describe cracks that appear overnight, while parked, or in cold weather with the defroster on, then spread across the glass within days. Some replacement windshields crack the same way. Reports appear across several model years, not just one.
How we score the Subaru Impreza
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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