2020 SUBARU Impreza Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

VISIBILITY/WIPER

48 complaints

While car was parked. Front windshield developed crack in the lower mid section of windshield. There was no damage to windshield that would have resulted in cracking. Crack has since spread.

Jul 30, 2024

Windshield breaks (cracks) very easily. I have owned/driven cars for 45 years, during the first 41 years I have only had to replace one (1) windshield. Since I have owned this vehicle (Subaru), I am now onto windshield number five (5). Are they making these windows with inferior materials or thinner? I hate to think that an inferior window will not hold up or perform as designed in a major accident, possibly causing greater injury or death.

Jun 21, 2024

Over the course of 3 days, my vehicle has sustained 4 chips in the windshield from standard city street driving. The windshield now needs to be replaced from excessive cracks.

Oct 26, 2023

Was sitting in car preparing to leave. Car was in park and turned on. Heard a loud popping/creaking noise. Looked up and the front windshield cracked in several places.

Apr 27, 2023

I was stopped at a stop light. Traffic was basically at a stand still while the lights were changing. During this time my windshield spontaneously cracked on the lower center section of the glass. It cracked for seemingly no reason at all. Since traffic was stopped there's no way it could have been caused by a rock or flying debris. No weather (such as hail) was occurring at the time.

Mar 03, 2023

+ 43 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

11 complaints

The windshield spontaneously cracked while sitting in my driveway. Windshield had no chips, damage, etc. The weather has been in the upper 70's, so no inclement weather. Upon researching, I found that many other Subaru owners have had the same issue.

Aug 14, 2024

My car spontanously developed a crack in the windshield. It has slowly grown double in size. The crack has no clear cause, chipping, or impact.

Apr 26, 2023

I have had a crack develop in my windshield . This is distracting while driving.I have not reported this . It will be inspected by glass repair shop. There were no warning lights or lamps associated with this .

Mar 20, 2022

Windshield cracked for no reason

Jan 22, 2022

A pebble hit the windshield while driving on the interstate highway which creating a roughly 12 inch crack starting in the upper passenger-side of the windshield. Within 24 hours, that crack has increased in length, now extending to the middle of the windshield. This has not been assessed by any repair facilities.

Jul 19, 2021

+ 6 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and became aware that the windshield had cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the windshield was replaced. The failure had reoccurred, and a crack appeared on the windshield in the same area. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Oct 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, it was later discovered that a crack had developed on the front windshield. The crack measured approximately 10-inches and extended from the bottom of the windshield. The contact indicated that no rock or object had impacted the windshield to cause the crack. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.

Mar 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the windshield had fractured on the passenger’s side lower right. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop and had the windshield replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

Oct 14, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND RETURNING, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH IN LENGTH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE GLASS COMPANY REFERRED TO BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED BUT NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ELK GROVE SUBARU (8581 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA 95757, (888) 904-6612) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED WAS ADEQUATE AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

Jan 04, 2021

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

3 complaints

Reference complaint no.11684658 confirmed. From email from Tech representative "VDC HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACEMENT. IT IS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THERE ARE SENSORS INSIDE THAT MEASURE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE. THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR IS STUCK AT NEGATIVE 59 BAR. SHOULD BE ZERO AT REST. NOTHING TO DO WITH EYESIGHT THAT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHENEVER THERE IS A WARNING LIGHT ON." The modulator is a safety critical component which undergoes extensive life time testing, one out of 4 pressure sensors should not fail during vehicle life time.

Sep 27, 2025

The Eye Sight warning system is activated occasionally and VDC is cut off. The dealer diagnosed code C1742, and recommended replacing the control unit due to a pressure sensor issue after measurement. The units are on back order, which indicates to me a wider spread problem. VDC units should not fail even after 10 years.

Sep 03, 2025

WHO: DAUGHTER 16YO (DRIVER), FATHER (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT), DAUGHTER 14YO (DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT). VEHICLE: 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA WHAT: SUBARU ANTI-COLLISION ENGAGED UNNECESSARILY WHEN: 0704 EST 14 MAY 2021 WHERE: 41°43'07.4"N 81°14'08.3" MY 16YO DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE WERE HEADING EAST ON E WALNUT STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ABOUT TO CROSS THE S STATE STREET INTERSECTION. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES OR OBSTRUCTIONS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUBARU ANTI-COLLISION BEGAN TO ALERT AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEHIND US HAD TO BRAKE ABRUPTLY BUT DID NOT HIT US. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DUE TO THE SUN BEING LOW ON THE HORIZON AND DIRECTLY IN THE CAMERA'S VIEW. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THE ANTI-COLLISION HAS ENGAGED UNNECESSARILY. THE EVENTS PRIOR TO THIS, I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 35 MPH IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WAS EXITING THE ROAD CAUSING THE ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING TO ENGAGE.

May 14, 2021

ENGINE

2 complaints

White smoke mechanic claims oil mixed with the antifreeze. And stated that the engine needed to be replaced.

May 29, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BATTER HAD BEEN REPLACED AS THE PROBLEMS KILLED THE BATTERY. *AS

Jul 29, 2020

AIR BAGS

2 complaints

Passenger Air-bag igniter's wiring shorted out releasing gas into car. The windows were up and the car was not running. I was sitting in passenger side went to light my cigarette and with no warning at all KABOOM!!! Car exploded catching my hair on fire as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on hands and 1st and 2nd degree burns on face. The explosion carried so much force that the doors and back hatch were dented outward making it impossible to shut and lock doors properly. Explosion was so loud the people inside the bar thought a bomb had gone off. This incident was not reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or insurance company due to the fact the car was stolen directly after incident due to the fact that the doors could not shut properly. Prior to this incident no warning lights had gone off to indicate a malfunction in the passenger airbag or the wiring. I guess I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Apr 26, 2024

Fire: 1

Injuries: 1

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was not illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the air bag warning light needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was involved in an accident that caused the air bag warning light to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,000.

Apr 11, 2023

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 complaints

I own a 2020 Impreza Hatchback with 18k miles. A significant crack appeared in the windshield out of nowhere, literally while parked in a safe environment. I was advised by Subaru corporate and my local dealership that this is not covered by warranty and would have to make a claim with my insurance. I can provide pictures and further detailed information if so required.

Jun 11, 2022

My windshield cracked straight up the middle for no apparent reason. This problem has been confirmed by numerous NHTSA complaints. Less than 12,000 miles. No rock hit my windshield but I hit a bump when it cracked. $470 to replace or pay my $2,000 deductible.

Feb 16, 2022

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

Both rear doors will intermittently not open when unlocked from both the inside or the outside. I am unsure if this is electrical or related to the door components itself. This is a hazard because passengers have been locked in the back of the car, and needed to climb out from the front or needed me to open the door from the outside if it will open—which could be a deadly amount of extra time in an emergency situation where passengers need to quickly exit the vehicle. This issue has been going on over a year, but I did not take it in until two months ago because I rarely had back passengers. That has changed, so I took it in. I have brought the car to the dealership three times for this issue, which is as of now still unresolved, with the following results: 1st visit: They told me child lock was on and turned it off. (I do not believe this, as the doors would occasionally open correctly from the inside—so that would mean child lock is also faulty) 2nd visit: They found weak actuators in both doors and replaced them. 3rd visit: Currently still in the shop for other unrelated issues, but they are having a hard time diagnosing the cause since the doors will open for them—but the lady who checked me in experienced the door sticking with me, and she said she could tell something was wrong.

Jul 20, 2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

On 3 separate occasions since I've had my car, it has powered off completely without warning while driving. This is very dangerous could cause a severe accident or death. I called a tow truck on 3 separate occasions (1/27/23; 2/26/24; 2/28/24) to take it to the dealer or car repair business. Then after 20 - 30 minutes, it starts up again like normal. This make of cars made in 2020 have recalls for this same problem except for the model I have. The maker of these cars are not responding to keep their customers safe and continue to lie about the problems these cars are having. They are poorly made and extremely unsafe.

Feb 29, 2024

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

A loud rumbling noise and vibration occurs while braking at high speed. Braking force seems unaffected but the noise in concerning. Upon inspection and a test drive, Subaru confirmed the issued and noticed uneven brake pad wear on the front brakes and leakage in the front caliper. Subaru recommended replacement of front calipers, pads, and rotors. Subaru replaced pads and rotors. The noise continues to occur occassionally. Subaru is recommending replacement of front brake calipers but is unable to replace them due to a shortage. I am concerned the brakes or other components may fail due to unusual wear. No inspection by police or insurance has been completed. No warning lights occurred, only the noise and vibration during braking.

Aug 07, 2023

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I believe this article describes the cause of the issue. Thankfully the vehicle was parked in my driveway, and did not roll into the street or harm any people, but it could have. 2020 Subaru Impreza Wrx Service Brakes related problems https://www.carproblemzoo.com/subaru/imprezawrx/2020/2020-subaru-imprezawrx-service-brakes-problems.php

Jul 28, 2022

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The 2020 Subaru Impreza hatchback was purchased new from a Subaru dealer. Approximately, one year after purchase the vehicle started to exhibit hard starting. That is when the key is turned on the engine did not immediately turn over but there began an increased hesitation overtime before engine would turn over. It demonstrated issues of electrical problems. Finally, on March 24, 2022 the engine failed to turn over and we had to have the car towed to the original Subaru dealer. The tow truck driver attempted to turn the engine on but in his opinion, the starter was not working at all. As of the writing of this report we do not know the exact cause of issue nor do we expect to pay for any repairs or parts since the vehicle is still under warranty.

Mar 24, 2022

TIRES

1 complaint

P205/50R17 Driver side rear tire suddenly experiencing lots of pressure compared to others. Example 27.7 psi on a subject tire compared to 32.0 psi on others after approximately one week of garage storage. Upon inspection, tread separation/ visible cracking is visible on approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the tire. No warning lights from the vehicles tire pressure monitor system has activated and no trouble codes for that system or others are present, indicating the vehicle at least is not aware of a problem with the tire. Tire pressure sensor reports good battery, accurate pressure when compared to Tire gauge pressure, and reports temperature of approximately the ambient temperature (at the moment, is currently 57.0°F). Vehicle has been mostly garage kept since purchase due to Covid. Has experienced normal North Carolina Summer temperatures though recently within two weeks North Carolina has had some of the coldest weather in some time (Lows mid teens, highs low 30s). Manufacturer has been contacted and currently awaiting response. With my previous experience and knowledge in the automotive industry, it appears that the visible cracking on the tire is relatively new. The inner portions of the cracked area, for instance, are clean and free of any debris, dust or dirt.

Jan 26, 2022

STEERING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

The problem has been recognized as a vehicle that is not meeting manufacturer specifications by the Subaru from Pembroke Pines. Shifting and harm is visible to frame and vehicle is having clonking and parts are touching.

Oct 07, 2021

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND FAILED TO RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEM TEMPORARILY STOPPED MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

Jan 25, 2021

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

FOR A NEW CAR THAT IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD,5000 MILE,THE CHASSIS PARTS FALL OFF DURING DRIVING,WHICH IS TOO DANGEROUS IN MOTION - ON A CITY STREET -TURNING

Dec 20, 2020

4.9/5.0

52 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2020 SUBARU Impreza have?

The 2020 SUBARU Impreza currently has 81 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2020 SUBARU Impreza?

The most common problems reported for the 2020 SUBARU Impreza are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2020 SUBARU Impreza problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2020 SUBARU Impreza comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.