Last updated: 2026-10-10

Subaru Impreza

Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 74/100

Skip the 2019 model. Owners report dim low beams tied to a headlight recall repair that waits on parts, windshields that crack with no impact, and batteries that die after sitting. The 2022 Impreza is the year to buy instead.

Verdict

Avoid
2019 66/100
Buy
2022 76/100
Model average
74/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Subaru Impreza average of 74/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201966/100Good5185Exterior Lighting (62)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good

2019 Subaru Impreza

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.

5 recalls185 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Exterior Lighting (62), Visibility Wiper (53), Electrical System (15), Unknown Or Other (14), Service Brakes (5), Steering (5)

View full 2019reliability report →

What Are Common Subaru Impreza Problems?

VISIBILITY/WIPER

136 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2020, 2018

2019: Windshields crack with no clear impact, sometimes with a loud pop while driving and sometimes while parked in a driveway or garage.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

126 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2024

2019: Low beams light too little of the road at night, so drivers struggle to see road edges, worn lane markings in rain, and the ground near the front corners during turns.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

53 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2020, 2019

2018: Many of these filings are more windshield cracks with no visible cause, plus complaints about an open recall still waiting on a remedy.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

31 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: Batteries go dead after the car sits for a day or a few days, and some owners have replaced three or four.

VISIBILITY

18 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Windshields crack with no visible impact, usually discovered after the car has been parked.

STEERING

15 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2024, 2022

2019: The car wanders and darts within its lane at 50 to 70 mph, even on straight, smooth roads with no wind, and drivers must keep making small corrections.

Best Subaru Impreza Year to Buy Instead

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Subaru Impreza

The 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.

Score: 76/100 (Good)1 recalls11 complaints
View full 2022reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2022 Subaru Impreza has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Subaru Impreza Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
Avoid 2019. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has five recalls and the most complaints per vehicle sold, driven by dim low beams awaiting a recall part, cracking windshields, and batteries that go dead.
Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza a good year?
It is a year to approach carefully, though the site does not flag it to avoid. It has five recalls and many owner complaints, with exterior lighting leading, mostly from the same headlight recall wait seen in 2019. Confirm any open recall work before buying.
Which Subaru Impreza years have transmission problems?
The data shows only a few cases. Two 2022 complaints cite power train trouble, one with the front wheels locking at 75 mph and one where a cut transmission hose drained the fluid. One 2025 power train complaint also exists. That is too few to call a pattern.
Is the 2022 Subaru Impreza a safe used buy?
It is the site's recommended year. It has one recall and few complaints. Still, check for windshield cracks and test drive for steering wander, since both appear in its owner reports. Have a shop look under the car at the transmission lines.
Should I buy a 2025 or 2026 Subaru Impreza instead?
Be cautious. Both rate well and show almost no complaints, but that mostly reflects how little time they have been on the road. Complaints build up over the years. The 2022 model has a longer record, which makes it the safer pick.

How we score every Subaru Impreza model year

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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