The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Impreza

2010 Subaru Impreza.

The 2010 Subaru Impreza is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 14 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 31, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 21 to 22 mpg combined. It's the best Subaru Impreza year we track.

31Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 3.2× fewer complaints than average.

Worst year 2020

Subaru Impreza
Photo shows a 2017 Subaru Impreza. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints14first 3 years
Fuel economy21–22 mpgcombined, EPA
Front crash★★★★★NHTSA, driver

How serious. Out of 48 owner complaints, owners reported:

3crashes
1injuries
1fires
1tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

engine21%
airbags21%
brakes14%
engine14%
transmission & drivetrain14%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Subaru Impreza year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 49K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 91K miles on the car (36 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 15

  • airbags 2020

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • airbags 2020

    " These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.

  • airbags 2020

    " These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.

Show all 15 recalls
  • electrical 2019

    The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.

  • lights 2019

    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 …

  • airbags 2019

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • airbags 2019

    These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or rep.

  • airbags 2019

    These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipm.

  • airbags 2018

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • airbags 2018

    These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

  • airbags 2017

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • electrical 2016

    The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

  • airbags 2016

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • brakes 2014

    The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through.

  • brakes 2014

    Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Subaru told dealers about

Subaru sent dealers 230 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator
  • Should you receive a customer concern of a loose windshield mounted auto-dimming compass…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2010 Subaru Impreza
Front crash test · NHTSA
Fuel cost and engines

About $2900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.

In owners' words

Engine failure due to complete loss of oil pressure in 2006 Subaru Impreza wrx limited sportwagon.

2010 Subaru Impreza owner · NHTSA complaint 10328997

Quick answers

Is the 2010 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 31; 100 is average, lower is better).

What are the most common 2010 Subaru Impreza problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (21%), airbags (21%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Impreza have?

15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Subaru Impreza get?

21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2010 Subaru Impreza problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,800 and 91,500 miles. The middle report was at 49,100 miles, from 36 complaints.

Does the 2010 Subaru Impreza have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2010 Subaru Impreza cost in fuel a year?

About $2900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Subaru Impreza have?

2.5L 4-cyl.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data