The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Impreza · 2018

2018 Subaru Impreza. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index96100 = average car
Complaints77NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold76,400U.S. model year
Per 100K sold101complaints
Year rank#10 of 15#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cylAuto (AV-S7)AWD28 / 38 / 32Regular$1,950
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdAWD24 / 32 / 27Regular$2,300
2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAWD21 / 27 / 23Premium$3,350
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (AV-S8)AWD18 / 24 / 21Premium$3,700
2.5L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAWD17 / 22 / 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 6,000 and 29,200 miles. Median 16,500, from 74 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Wipers & visibility23,0005,900–32,10024
Engine17,5001,500–43,70010
Electrical14,5004,600–35,10010
Steering14,5002,500–17,0006
Transmission & drivetrain13,5001,500–26,8006

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
Wipers & visibility38%
Electrical16%
Engine10%
Steering9%
Airbags9%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
196112518

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 22V624000 Aug 2022 Exterior Lighting / Headlights

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk. Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.

  • 22V522000 Jul 2022 Exterior Lighting / Back Up Lights / Switch

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk. Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

  • 21V587000 Jul 2021 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

  • 21V264000 Apr 2021 Electrical System / Software

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

    Risk. A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall

  • 19V743000 Oct 2019 Electrical System / Software

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.

    Risk. If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-

  • 19V744000 Oct 2019 Engine And Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Emission Control / Crankcase (Pcv)

    Defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.

    Risk. An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

Manufacturer communications 648

Subaru filed 648 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This bulletin announces part information for new Active Valve Control System (AVCS) oil…
  • This bulletin announces a design change to the PCV valve used on the models listed above
  • This Service Information bulletin announces a change to the required thread sealer used when…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Subaru Impreza SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015946166,785Transmission & drivetrain
2016885255,238Airbags
2017928486,043Wipers & visibility
2018967776,400Wipers & visibility
201916011366,415Wipers & visibility
20201828343,628Wipers & visibility
2021602234,791Transmission & drivetrain

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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