The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2024 2023
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- 2023 2023
The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
- 2021 2021
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
The firewall is breaking and/or coming apart. There is a distinct knocking or cracking noise when releasing the clutch.
2008 Subaru Impreza owner · NHTSA complaint
Welds holding pedal assembly to firewall are broken, squeaking clutch, very hard to get into gear, break pedal moving when using clutch.
2008 Subaru Impreza owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Subaru Impreza years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Subaru Impreza years are 2008, 2009, 2013.
What are common Subaru Impreza transmission problems?
Owners most often describe lost power while driving, slipping, hard or jerky shifting.
Which Subaru Impreza years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Subaru Impreza years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2019, 2020, 2025.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Subaru Impreza reliability by year. How we count