Last updated: 2026-03-04
Subaru Impreza vs Toyota GR86: Reliability Compared
Subaru Impreza
Toyota GR86
Choosing between the Subaru Impreza and the Toyota GR86? 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 Toyota GR86 currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Toyota GR86 is more reliable than the Subaru Impreza, scoring 77/100 vs 73/100.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota GR86 has 15 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota GR86 scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 3Subaru Impreza has 1.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Impreza vs Toyota GR86: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Impreza | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 18 | 3 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.1 | 5.7 |
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Impreza and Toyota GR86?
| Component | Subaru Impreza | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 2.2Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.1Low | 0.6Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1.2Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Subaru Impreza vs Toyota GR86 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Impreza | Toyota GR86 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1000R / 2C | 79/1000R / 3C | Toyota GR86 |
| 2024 | 74/1002R / 23C | 77/1001R / 3C | Toyota GR86 |
| 2023 | 74/1002R / 4C | 77/1001R / 9C | Toyota GR86 |
| 2022 | 76/1001R / 11C | 76/1001R / 21C | Tie |
| 2026(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | 78/100(predicted) | Toyota GR86 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Subaru Impreza scored 77/100 and the 2025 Toyota GR86 scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Subaru Impreza vs Toyota GR86: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Impreza more reliable than the Toyota GR86?
- Based on our data, the Toyota GR86 is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Subaru Impreza or the Toyota GR86?
- The Subaru Impreza has more recalls (18) compared to the Toyota GR86 (3). 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 Subaru Impreza or the Toyota GR86?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Impreza has a lower complaint rate at 4.1 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Toyota GR86. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Subaru Impreza comparisons
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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue