10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,963 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.

2013 Subaru Impreza electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Subaru Impreza Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Aug 122022

Impreza

  • miles

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

Ignition key can not always be removed. If I turn the ignition back on it will usually release the key.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #26

Jul 152022

Impreza

  • miles
Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or ignition until it decides to work. When my vehicle is stolen, will Subaru replace it? This is a problem for which Subaru should beheld responsible.

- Norton, MA, USA

problem #25

Aug 212021

Impreza

  • miles
Check engine/break/ABS/traction control/ cruise control and AT OIL TEMP lights are all on. Now my back break lights are not working! Car jerks at times. Read on a few forms that this was an issue for Subaru Imprezas 2012 and up. There was also a recall on this issue on April 2019. Please have this recalled again.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #24

Aug 202021

Impreza

  • miles

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

Malfunction with my dashboard lights. ABS/ AT OIL TEMP/TRACKTION CONTROL/ HILL LIGHT and CRUISE CONTROL GAGE. Are all on car seems to run somewhat alright until car jerks then all of the mentioned issues comes on.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #23

Sep 192021

Impreza

  • miles
Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the Airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same system.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #22

Aug 022021

Impreza

  • miles
Key gets stuck in ignition and cannot be removed when in park. This is a know issue and documented in Service Bulletin 16-112-18R.

- Northfield, OH, USA

problem #21

Apr 282021

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 107,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while having the vehicle inspected at a local mechanic, the mechanic informed the contact that the wiring harness between the fan motor and climate control fan speed switch burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

problem #20

Aug 012020

Impreza

  • 135,000 miles
Vehicle has known defect where the oil control valves on front of engine fail and leak oil onto main wiring harness. The defect manifests itself in electrical shorts, lighting failure, engine not being able to be started, engine function failing while in use, battery failure due to short circuit created among other issues impacting starting, running, safe useage and potential dangerous failure while operating vehicle. Previous complaint logged, no evidence that problem is being investigated - although manufacturer has acknowleged knowledge of issue by issuing a service bulletin.

- Temperance, MI, USA

problem #19

Sep 152020

Impreza

  • 89,000 miles
My passenger airbag sensor never turns on. Even if I have a passenger in the seat, the light still remains off. I know that the 2012 models used the same occupancy sensor as the 2013 Impreza but the 2013 models haven't been recalled. This doesn't make any sense because they're the same exact models so they should also be recalled so they can be fixed. The seat has never been wet and I haven't been in any accidents, so this is a faulty occupancy sensor. I don't know why I shoul dhave to pay $1500 for a faulty sensor.

- Seabeck, WA, USA

problem #18

Nov 012020

Impreza

  • 70,000 miles
Periodically the "passenger air bag off" sign illuminates even though someone is in the passenger seat. I bought the car from enterprise rental several years ago and brought to their attention. Somehow their mechanic got light to go off. Problem has persisted but didn't pay much attention until now. My daughter will be driving the car. Do not trust the airbag or seat sensor.on passenger side.

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 132020

Impreza

  • 112,000 miles

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

Passenger air bag red dash light remains on weather in motion or stationary with a passenger or without. Amber air bag center dash light remains "off" in motion or sationary with or without a passenger in the seat. Turning the car on or off does not change the issue. Car has 112,000 miles.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #16

Aug 062020

Impreza

  • 120,000 miles
Vehicle has had multiple incidents of not starting, engine losing power, extended engine cranking and other electrical issues for what was unknown reasons, documented in numerous dealer reports. Was informed that the issue is due to oil leaking from oil control valve (ocv) leaking into wiring harness. Vehicle has had issues when in motion, before running and while trying to start.

- Temperance, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 092020

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 91,000 miles
The passenger's seat OCS malfunctions with terrifying frequency. The car will be in motion with the passenger's seat occupied and the airbag light will illuminate on the dashboard. Once again while the car is in motion. I have seen many posts detailing the same experience. Subaru has recalled other cars for this problem. My 2013 Impreza needs to be included as well.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #14

Jun 062020

Impreza 4-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Tail lights don't turn on, first time the whole electrical harness was burned out, dealer changed the whole thing, this is second time tail lighting is completely off when the switch is on, I am afraid it will burn out the whole harness again !

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #13

Mar 022020

Impreza

  • 50,000 miles
When car is put into park the key cannon be removed from the ignition. It's an ongoing intermittent problem. This is a defect in design and Subaru should pay for all repairs. This has happened about 20 times now. Car cannot be trusted.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 172020

Impreza

  • 120,000 miles
Subaru service bulletin 16-112-18R key stuck in ignition. Have to keep putting transmission into park in order to get key out. Known issue but no recall.

- Fairless Hills, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 082020

Impreza

  • miles
Lights continue to burn out (main headlights, brake lights) with frequency (every 6 months). Moreover, once one burns out, the second light tends to burn out the next day. Have replaced the headlights 5 times in the past two years, even buying high quality replacement bulbs.

- Champaign, IL, USA

problem #10

Dec 262017

Impreza

  • 40,000 miles
Seat occupancy sensor does not register adult human male, gets tripped if cell phon E is in proximity to the passenger in the front passenger seat. Front airbag is therefore off and will not go off in case of accident. This occurs if the front passenger has a laptop or cellphone. Upon inspection by dealership I was told that the sensor is broken but due to water damage which has not happened - if a damp user is enough to cause damage to sensor I believe Subaru is purposefully releasing poorly designed and engineered parts. This issues first appeared in 2017 and was intermittent and is not occurring every time a passenger rides with me.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 122018

Impreza

  • miles
Recall in other Impreza in same year model, but not mine specifically. Same issue occurs with airbag occupancy sensor in passenger seat. Airbag light comes on with any amount of weight in passenger seat, airbag however does not turn on. Stays off with passenger in seat. This was recalled in many other 2012-2014 Impreza. Subaru confirmed that passenger occupancy in my Impreza is same part as occupany sensor recalled in other Impreza. I was sold this car by an authorized dealer with this issue (not the company listed on the receipts provided). Had to pay to get it fixed for inspection. Have to replace seat bottom, almost $700 for seat alone. This is dangerous and unfair. Subaru acknowledged the problem by giving me $500 goodwill repair certificate, but not full price of repair even though this has been recalled in many other vehicles.

- Westbrook, ME, USA

problem #8

May 102019

Impreza

  • 115,995 miles
Cannot remove the key from ignition, takes several attempts of turning the steering wheel before the key can be removed, also car will not start must attempt to move steering wheel and hope that it starts

- Jessup, PA, USA

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