The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Impreza · 2013

2013 Subaru Impreza. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index66100 = average car
Complaints51NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold58,856U.S. model year
Per 100K sold87complaints
Year rank#5 of 15#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)AWD27 / 35 / 30Regular$2,100
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdAWD24 / 33 / 28Regular$2,200
2.5L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdAWD19 / 25 / 21Premium$3,700
2.5L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAWD17 / 23 / 19Premium$4,050

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 23,800 and 84,000 miles. Median 60,800, from 163 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags57,00030,000–80,00056
Engine66,00028,800–83,80039
Electrical81,50040,800–115,00020
Transmission & drivetrain70,60029,600–117,40020
Brakes21,5008,200–65,60016

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags39%
Engine18%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Brakes14%
Steering6%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2591473015

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 19V149000 Feb 2019 Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. 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 from being able to be shifted out of Park.

    Risk. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

  • 18V772000 Nov 2018 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V738000 Oct 2016 Electrical System

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

    Risk. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

  • 13V061000 Feb 2013 Electrical System

    Defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is droppe

    Risk. The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Manufacturer communications 509

Subaru filed 509 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Information regarding surface treatment to oil control piston rings due to limited…
  • Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Subaru Impreza SW AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI SW AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Subaru Impreza WRX/STI 4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2010311436,072Engine
2011582127,391Brakes
201213710168,175Airbags
2013665158,856Airbags
2014573757,996Airbags
2015946166,785Transmission & drivetrain
2016885255,238Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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