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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (6)
Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk and remedy
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Risk and remedy
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Electrical system
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Air bags: sensor, occupant classification
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.
Risk and remedy
Risk: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.
Equipment
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Risk and remedy
Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Electrical
2019-04-18 · campaign 2019-191 · 100 vehicles
Issue:
A problem with certain replacement ignition switches may allow the key turn out of the “ON” position while driving. This could cause the engine to turn off suddenly. It could also cause the airbag system not to work properly in a crash.
Note: This is a voluntary service campaign that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This problem only affects certain parts used for replacement of original parts.
Safety Risk:
A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could cause an increased risk of injuries.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary.
Brakes
2019-03-01 · campaign 2019-104
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the brake lamp switch could fail. This would cause the brake lamps not to turn on when the brakes are applied. Depending on the model, this could cause an inability to shift from park or to start using the push-button ignition. This may also cause problems with the following: anti-lock brake system (ABS), vehicle dynamics control (VDC), and/or Eyesight system.
Safety Risk:
If the brake lights do not work, a following driver may not to recognize that a vehicle ahead is braking, increasing the risk of crash.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the brake lamp switch replaced.
Engine
2018-11-02 · campaign 2018-606
On certain vehicles, the engine valve springs could fracture, causing an engine failure or a stall with an inability to restart. This could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine valve springs. Note: A driver may notice abnormal noise and/or vibration prior to an engine failure or stalling.
Airbag
2015-06-26 · campaign 2015-285
On certain vehicles, the Occupant Control Unit (OCU) of the ODS (Occupant Detection System) may incorrectly identify a front passenger occupant when seated in the front passenger seat if the passenger touches a metal part of the vehicle that is electrically grounded (i.e. forward/reward seat adjustment lever) while using an IPod or cell phone plugged into the accessory power outlet. This may result in the deactivation of the ODS, and cause the Air Bag Warning Light to illuminate and the Passenger Air Bag Indicator would illuminate “OFF”, providing a visual warning that the air bag system is not operating properly. Failure of the passenger frontal airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit (OCU) with a revised one.
Accessories
2013-02-25 · campaign 2013-063
On certain vehicles equipped with a dealer-installed accessory remote engine starter, if the fob is dropped, movement of the internal battery retaining clip may occur and cause damage to a component on the printed circuit board. Under this condition, the fob may transmit an engine start (or stop) request without the user pressing the button. If the vehicle is in range and receives the request, the engine may start and run for up to 15 minutes (or until a stop request is received). The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If that occurs when the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, such as a garage, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up, which could result in asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning. Correction: Dealers will replace the remote engine starter fob.
Brakes
2011-11-29 · campaign 2011-414
On certain vehicles, a seal within the brake master cylinder may have deformed during vehicle assembly. As such, the driver may experience extended brake pedal travel and increased stopping distance, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake master cylinder assembly.
Owner complaints (243)
Owners filed 243 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport (10 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries reported). Among 35 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 56).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 105 | |
| Engine | 55 | |
| Electrical system | 30 | |
| Power train | 26 | |
| Seats | 15 | |
| Service brakes | 13 | |
| Unknown or other | 12 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| 2012 Subaru Impreza SW AWD | 4★ | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Impreza AWD 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 24 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Impreza AWD 2.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Impreza AWD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Impreza AWD 2.5 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.5 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD 2.5 L Manual 6-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.