10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,284 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Subaru Impreza engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Subaru Impreza Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Jan 302019

Impreza

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Subaru recall. I received safety recall about issue with engine valve springs on my car. I called the Subaru dealer and also walk in to the dealer. They refused to schedule the repair for me. Their reason was they didn't have the parts yet. They will put my car in the waiting list. That was almost 2 months ago and they never contacted me back. Whatever they reason they gave me, they failed to address their obligation. The Subaru dealer I contacted was michael's Subaru of bellevue. 888-418-0142

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #34

Mar 042019

Impreza

  • miles
I received a December 2018 recall notice for recall wty-84, NHTSA id 18V-772. When I called my dealer, northtown Subaru, amherst NY, they told me to call back in late February because they did not have parts yet. Now when I called (3/4/2019) they say they do not have the tools for the repair. They said try again in April. The recall notice said the recall service should be performed "immediately". it sounds like they are stalling so they do not have to make the repairs. I expect when I call in April they will have some other excuse. Please let me know if other Subaru dealers are making the repairs and if any are near the 14221 zip code. What can a car owner do if the dealers refuse to make recall repairs?

- Elma, NY, USA

problem #33

Mar 012019

Impreza

  • miles
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. Consequence 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. Details issued 12/26/2018 recall id 289102 NHTSA campaign # 18V772000 vehicles affected 165,534 component affected engine and engine cooling:engine

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #32

Feb 052019

Impreza

  • 66,343 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Impreza consumes a lot of oil. Between 800-1200 miles im having to top it off. I have been having issues with it shutting off immediately after starting it in my driveway. I have had it in the shop several times with no ideas. No lights turn on to figure out what's going on. It's throwing no code either.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #31

Jan 272019

Impreza

  • 65,000 miles
Subaru recall for a faulty engine part is pending repair for the past few months. I can hear the engine sound change while the vehicle is idling which I think is due to the issue causing the recall. I am worried for my family about the safety of the vehicle.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #30

Jan 212019

Impreza

  • miles
Subaru has sent a recall for the above vehicle. The recall number is wty-84 / NHTSA id 18V-772 (December 2018). I was told by my local dealer that the next available appointment is in September, 2020. I then called their recall hotline and was told that parts have not yet been sent to dealers, that a second letter will be sent to owners after dealers have received them, and that I could then get in immediately. However, they cannot say when that will be. This is an engine problem that can cause a stall while driving. The letter sent by Subaru is clear about this being a potential danger. The dealer only told me that, if the engine stalled, they would pick me up and give me a loaner vehicle. They added that that any stall would happen gradually and I would not be injured. Needless to say (perhaps), my concerns about driving this vehicle are not assuaged. I have been told many different things by Subaru, and they don't fit together. Either Subaru doesn't know what it's doing, or it is telling its employees to deliberately lie. Subaru is not taking responsibility for a problem that is the fault of the company. I want to get my vehicle repaired. I want to know that I am driving a vehicle that is safe to drive. And I want to be able to trust Subaru. None of these things are true at this time. Since Subaru is not doing the right thing for its customers, an outside organization must force Subaru to do so. I hope that the NHTSA will do just this and force the company to treat this issue with the respect and concern it deserves.

- Essex Junction, VT, USA

problem #29

Jan 162019

Impreza

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Earliest that Subaru Santa Fe retailer can address recall wty-84 "engine valve springs" is September 2019.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #28

Oct 102018

Impreza

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V772000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Koeppel Subaru (42-01 northern blvd, long island city, NY 11101, (718) 786-1660) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Astoria, NY, USA

problem #27

Oct 262018

Impreza

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving at any speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #26

Feb 272018

Impreza

  • miles
My engine burns through oil rapidly every 800 to 1300 miles I need an oil change. This issue is exasperated when the weather is warm. I once burned through a while quart of oil after 600 miles when traveling. Subaru defines an engine issue if it is under 2000 miles. But they will not fix the issue. They told me that my engine failed the test and that they had ordered parts. When I called back to see when parts would be in because I had gone in twice in the span of 2 months for oil top offs they told me that I was no longer getting the parts and that we had to redo the test. We redo the test and my oil light comes on at 800 miles, and they told my my issue was a sensor and that the history of my vehicle was invalid. I am now afraid that my engine is going to blow up.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #25

May 052012

Impreza

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ordered & purchased car 2012 began sending complaints to dealer & manufacture about the vehicle wandering over the road, brakes grabbing, tires losing air, poor transmission response, bad battery and many more. After my complaints were neglected I had to save the money to replace faulty factory yokohama avid tires @ 24K miles & purchased warrantee direct extended warranty to address complications (like starter) this car has well under 40K miles now but have had to replace the battery & the car will not stay aligned. This car always uses coolant & brake fluid, as well as a strange engine oil situation (presently different than the class action oil consumption problem). I have complained about the non-responsive transmission & poor acceleration. I'm already disabled from job-related spinal injuries & have done my darnedest to drive as safely as possible to avoid driving during rush traffic, check tire pressures & oil use so I keep my perfect driving record for insurance & health purpose. I thought that buying a new car keeps one from many purchases yet, I have spent more money on this new car than any used car. What more can I do to protect myself" with all the problems I'd like to know which files are best to send"

- Floyds Knobs, IN, USA

problem #24

May 012017

Impreza

  • miles
Oil leak (small drip) from the front timing belt cover, on the driver side (side of the water pump). The leak is not obvious: Due to the location, under the cover, it is not visible from casual inspection. The small drip is caught by the engine undercover and does not leave a mark on the floor. It takes time to notice it. The cover started to leak about a year ago (2016), if not earlier--Subaru failed to identify the leak during scheduled maintenance until last month -- which is quite surprising. The front cover is supposed to be sealed (no gasket). The seal is supposed to last for the design life of the engine. Based on google search, this seal issue is a well documented defect of the factory seal at the location of the screws. In some cases, the leak was fixed by removing the screws, adding sealant and putting back the screws (my cover also seems to leak at the screw location too). This fix suggest a manufacturing defect during installation of the cover: Failure to add sealant to the screws or failure to add sufficient amount of sealant at the screw location. Subaru now recommends a front cover reseal ($650). This known issue should have been dealt with during the engine warranty period.

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #23

Jun 122016

Impreza

  • 67,000 miles
My son's 2012 Subaru Impreza, was bought used, with 59,000. Miles, with hope of owning a reliable, safe vehicle on 2/11/16. On 6/26/16 he went for a routine oil change and within one week the car was completely seized. He was driving home, no warning lights, or anything just made a loud sound then he was just barely able to make it to the side of a busy 3 lane road to call for a tow truck. At the time, we worried that the oil change may have been done improperly and caused the issue. We contacted the business, who then had a ase certified mechanic/inspector verify that it was not the oil change but an internal engine problem. We then had towed it again to Subaru dealer that was 7/12/16. Then we began calling- daily or every other day; to the service manager and emailing to corporate Subaru- asking what is wrong with his car" why did it happen? what can be done? what will it cost" finally, on 8/22/16, we heard from Subaru saying that the vehicle was outside the warranty -but will authorize a $2,000. Toward repair or new car. We called the dealer again because we still had not heard or received a reason/quote of repair. We were told that it was damage to a piston and it would cost at least $10,000. And they did not recommend it; better to talk to sales. The warranty is for 60,000 miles or 5 years on the powertrain, we are at 67,000 miles and 4 years. So now we still owe $8,000. And have $10,000. Repair, and they are offering $2,000. Money vs safety and now vs trust we want a safe reliable car, from a company that we could trust. We thought that was Subaru.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #22

Sep 102015

Impreza

  • 45,750 miles
After last oil change at 43,000 miles the oil light came on within 2,000 miles. Oil level was over a quart low. I found no oil leak at the pan or filter and no oil on my garage floor. Oil light consistently comes on after 2,000 miles of driving. Oil is always low when I check it. Plan to address with dealership. This model was the first year for Subaru's newly designed engine. Hmmm?

- Port Byron, IL, USA

problem #21

Jul 012015

Impreza

  • 29,000 miles
Purchased the car use at 28000 miles. Checked oil at time of purchase and it was full. Drove the car for approximately 1200 miles before a low oil light came on. Sought the help of Subaru and got an oil consumption test. Oil light came on again at 700 miles burning 16.5 quarts. Highly unacceptable. Car was oil changed and replacement short block ordered. Replaced short block and currently breaking in new block.

- Lafayette, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 222012

Impreza

  • 1,000 miles
I purchased this car brand new from the dealership in January 2012 and have consistently added 1 quart +/- approximately every 1,200 miles, more often and increased added oil volume during extended driving times. I have spoken directly with Subaru dealers/service managers in 3 different California cities whom have been alerted to this oil consumption issue and have casually explained the consumption of 3-5 quarts of oil between changes as normal. Research seems to show that some Subaru dealers have begun to replace the short block of the engines that are consuming too much oil, but only for those with documented oil loss. Those people that visit the dealer exclusively for their service are likely the ones who will have their engines replaced without cost, leaving the rest of us out to dry. Subaru needs to rectify this problem, not sweep the issue under the rug and force the Subaru customer base to pay too much for an engine that was not meant to last.

- Arcata, CA, USA

problem #19

Nov 242014

Impreza

  • 7,600 miles
I purchased this car used back in November. Approximately every 1500 miles, it requires 1-2 quarts of oil. When I spoke to the sales rep, he said this model was known for having a problem with the pistons leaking. He said it seemed that a recall was in the works, so I just wanted to register the fact that I am also having the same issue as many other car owners are having with this model.

- Glen Gardner, NJ, USA

problem #18

Apr 152013

Impreza

  • 5,500 miles
Since oil change number 1, the engine oil was down a little over a quart. This vehicle requires full synthetic oil 0/20. At every oil change the oil is a quart or more low. A few times the oil light has gone on well before the next oil change. A new car should not be burning oil, especially full synthetic oil.

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

problem #17

Mar 152012

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Oil keeps running dry before next oil change. It has been requiring about 1 quart every 3,000 miles. This has the ability for the engine to run without oil and seize. This can cause drastic damage and injury along with greater wear. I have been mitigating it with keeping oil in the trunk but no guarantees that you will always have it. The oil also ruined my trunk.

- Lexington, VA, USA

problem #16

Aug 052014

Impreza

  • 26,586 miles
2012 Subaru Impreza has been needing an average of 1 quart of oil for every 1,000 miles driven since may of 2013. Oil consumption text started at North country Subaru in queensbury, NY on August 5, 2014 when the car had 26586 miles on it. New oil float switch was put into the car on September 24, 2014 at 28654 miles. Car continues to need 1 quart of oil for every 1,000 miles.

- Hudson Falls, NY, USA

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