The most-reported Impreza run is JF1GD29632G (2002 builds) with 13 complaints, 8.1× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 21% of reports; 2008 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 58 recall campaigns for Impreza model years 1993–2024.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru Impreza has 1,501 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Impreza complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF1GD29632G•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JF1GD29602G•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 4S3GTAD64K3•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF1GD29662G•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| 4S3GTAD67K3•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF1GD29652G•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| JF1GD29692G•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JF1GG29662G•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JF1GD29682G•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JF1GG29642G•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| JF1GE74668G•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| JF1GR89688L•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 1,489 Impreza runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 261 Impreza VINs so far, most often 2013, 2019, 2014 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru Impreza the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 2008 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2011 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 32 | 21 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 2022 | 14 | 13 | — | |
| 2021 | 14 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 85 | 61 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 192 | 102 | 6 | |
| 2018 | 150 | 88 | 5 | |
| 2017 | 120 | 80 | 10 | |
| 2016 | 72 | 58 | 7 | |
| 2015 | 73 | 58 | 5 | |
| 2014 | 101 | 70 | 15 | |
| 2013 | 241 | 150 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 222 | 130 | 9 | |
| 2011 | 48 | 41 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 38 | 28 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 94 | 53 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 179 | 91 | 10 | |
| 2007 | 58 | 40 | 6 | |
| 2006 | 53 | 40 | 3 |
Heaviest year here is 2008 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2023 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Subaru Impreza owners report: Air Bags, 416 of 2,416 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 79 | 2 | |
| Power Train | 6 | 1 | |
| Engine | 9 | 11 | |
| Service Brakes | 41 | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 7 | 19 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 6 | |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 58 recall campaigns on the Subaru Impreza; the 6 below cover build years 1993 to 2016. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V149000 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch | 2008–2016 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1993–2001 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1993–2001 |
| 20V001000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2004–2011 |
| 20V002000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2004–2011 |
| 20V003000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2004–2011 |
19V149000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2008: 11 years on the road before the recall.
The Impreza against its rivals
The Impreza draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Kia Niro 1.5. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 2,416 | 1,501 | 7% | |
| Kia Niro | 109 | 74 | 17.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,416 reports on the Subaru Impreza, 7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru Impreza | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,416 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 169 (7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 44 (1.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 127 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru Impreza share of that is 2,416 complaints over 1,501 runs, 0.22% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru Impreza VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,416 NHTSA complaints from 1,501 Impreza runs and 58 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Impreza production run has the most complaints?
JF1GD29632G, a 2002 build, with 13 complaints. The typical Impreza run has 1.6.
Which Impreza years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2008 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2023 lightest at 1.
Does the Impreza get more complaints than the Kia Niro?
Yes: 1.6 complaints per production run for the Impreza against 1.5 for the Kia Niro.
How many Impreza complaints involve a crash?
7% of 2,416 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 44 involved a fire.
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