2013 Subaru Impreza problems

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The Subaru Impreza (Japanese: スバル・インプレッサ, Hepburn: Subaru Inpuressa) is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Leone, with the predecessor's EA series engines replaced by the new EJ series. It is now in its sixth generation.

Subaru has offered a 5-door hatchback body variant since 2008. The firm also offered a coupé from 1995 until 2001, a 4-door sedan up to the fifth generation, and a 5-door wagon from the Impreza's introduction which was replaced by a hatchback with the third generation in 2008. Mainstream versions have received "boxer" flat-four engines ranging from 1.5- to 2.5-liters, with the performance-oriented Impreza WRX and WRX STI models upgraded with the addition of turbochargers. Since the third generation series, some markets have adopted the abbreviated Subaru WRX name for these high-performance variants. The first three generations of Impreza were also available with an off-road appearance non-SUV package called the Outback Sport, exclusive to the North American market. For the fourth generation, this appearance package was raised up to be subcompact crossover SUV and renamed the XV (Crosstrek in North America), and is sold internationally. Colloquially, the car is sometimes referred to as Scooby.

Subaru has offered front- and all-wheel drive layouts for the Impreza. Since the late-1990s, some markets have restricted sales to the all-wheel drive model, putting the Impreza in a unique selling proposition in the global compact class, which is usually characterized by front-wheel drive. Japanese models remain available in both configurations.

A 2019 iSeeCars study named the Impreza as the lowest-depreciating sedan in the United States after five years.

2013 Subaru Impreza

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Common 2013 Subaru Impreza problems

The 2013 Subaru Impreza has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues:

  1. CVT Issues: The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in the 2013 Subaru Impreza has been a common source of frustration for many owners. Some of the issues reported include slipping, overheating, stalling, and trouble controlling engine speed. These problems are often attributed to the Lineatronic CVT, which uses pulleys instead of gears to control engine speed. As the transmission ages, it can begin to stall, growl, and run erratically. To mitigate these issues, it is recommended to use a CVT-friendly fluid or replace the thrust washer.
  2. Fuel Pump Problems: The 2013 Subaru Impreza has been known to have issues with its fuel pump, which can cause the engine to stall or run erratically. This problem is often attributed to a manufacturing flaw in the Denso fuel pumps, which can cause the impellers to deform over time and affect the fuel pump's capacity to pump. Subaru issued a recall for the 2019 Impreza to replace these fuel pumps with more dense pumps that are less likely to deform. If your car was exempt from the recall, replacing the pump will cost you about $800.
  3. Underpowered Brakes: Many Impreza owners from 2011 to 2015 believe that the brakes are underpowered for the car. They have mentioned unusually long braking distances and sluggish brake pedal response. The brakes are the most important aspect of an automobile's safety, and poorly maintained and infrequently tested brakes could fail you when you need them the most. It is recommended to use premium braking fluid to enhance fluid response and replace the brake kits on each side of the car if you feel that the brakes are also underpowered.
  4. Rusted Brake Lines: All automobiles are prone to rust, but the automaker must make sure that rust or corrosion won't affect the vital parts of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Subaru Impreza is not one of those vehicles. The brake lines are particularly susceptible to rust, which can cause leaks and loss of brake pressure. It is recommended to have the brake lines inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.
  5. Exhaust Problems: Many 2013 Subaru Impreza owners have reported issues with the exhaust system, including muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, and leaks. These problems can cause the check engine light to come on and go off intermittently, and can be expensive to repair. It is recommended to have the exhaust system inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.
  6. Rear Wheel Bearings: Some 2013 Subaru Impreza owners have reported issues with the rear wheel bearings, which can cause noise and vibration. These problems can be caused by wear and tear, and can be expensive to repair. It is recommended to have the rear wheel bearings inspected regularly and replaced if necessary.

In summary, the 2013 Subaru Impreza has been known to have several common problems, including CVT issues, fuel pump problems, underpowered brakes, rusted brake lines, exhaust problems, and rear wheel bearings. It is recommended to have these issues inspected and addressed regularly to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.

2013 Subaru Impreza engine

What is the main problem with Subaru Impreza?

Common problems with the Subaru Impreza include engine issues, sudden and abrupt acceleration, transmission failure, and air bag problems. The 2008 and 2012 models of the Subaru Impreza should be avoided, but the rest have generally good reliability.

Is 2013 Subaru Impreza a good year?

Edmunds says

A roomy interior, a commendable ride/handling balance and all-wheel drive make the 2013 Subaru Impreza a solid choice for an all-season compact sedan or hatchback.

How long should a 2013 Subaru Impreza last?

The first hard limit for most Subarus is between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, but with major maintenance, this can be extended to 300,000 miles. According to Way.com, the Subaru Impreza is relatively affordable to maintain.

What are the disadvantages of the Subaru Impreza?

The Subaru Impreza is a roomy and practical little hatchback. Standard all-wheel drive at a reasonable price is a nice bonus too. A lackluster driving experience and a ho-hum cabin design are its biggest drawbacks.

Is 2013 Subaru Impreza a good year?

Edmunds says

A roomy interior, a commendable ride/handling balance and all-wheel drive make the 2013 Subaru Impreza a solid choice for an all-season compact sedan or hatchback.

What is the main problem with Subaru Impreza?

Common problems with the Subaru Impreza include engine issues, sudden and abrupt acceleration, transmission failure, and air bag problems. The 2008 and 2012 models of the Subaru Impreza should be avoided, but the rest have generally good reliability.

How long should a 2013 Subaru Impreza last?

The first hard limit for most Subarus is between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, but with major maintenance, this can be extended to 300,000 miles. According to Way.com, the Subaru Impreza is relatively affordable to maintain.

Is the 2013 Subaru Impreza fuel efficient?

The 2013 Impreza offers the highest fuel economy of any all-wheel drive new car offered in the United States. Its EPA ratings of 27 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined for models with the Lineartronic® continuously variable transmission (CVT) are comparable with front-wheel drive cars.

2013 Subaru Impreza car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Impreza problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Air bags problems
  • Engine problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Subaru Impreza vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2013 Subaru Impreza

The NHTSA has received 240 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Subaru Impreza. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2013 Subaru Impreza vehicles.

2024-07-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-11
  • VIN: JF1GV7E6XDG
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: In the morning of 7-11-2024, I started the engine to go to work as usual. I found the engine light on and noticed strange symptoms from the hood, such as unusual loud noise. Thereafter, I lifted the hood and confirmed loud noise coming from somewhere. Then, I immediately shut down the engine (no key in ignition), but still, the secondary air pump kept running. I thought it may be blowing up, so I immediately disconnected the battery. I touched the pump and almost burnt my hand. I did do this immediate action because I have some experience/knowledge on car maintenance, but I feel terrible if this happened to someone else, such as young drivers. Then, I googled for the similar symptoms, and found something matching my symptoms in the recall notification letter (NHTSA recall no. 16V738), in which the relay in fuse box can cause the issue. The letter appeared to be revised in 7-11-17, and it was supposed to be sent to me, but I did not receive this important letter at all. I think that this letter should be re-sent to all the owners again to avoid possible terrible incidents related to overheating of the secondary air pump.
2024-06-11

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-11
  • VIN: JF1GPAL61D1
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: Severe rust on B Pillar of passenger door, and each door is rusting in same location. Have seen several reports of this online so reporting that I have experienced the same. Roof is also bubbling in a couple locations and I suspect it is from inside given the noise that comes from the windshield in cold weather since the car was new. Not sure of the date I first noticed, so I am putting today’s date since that’s when I learned about reporting potential safety issues.to NHTSA.
2024-04-09

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-23
  • VIN: JF1GV7E65DG
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: engine failed while driving in 2020. Engine replaced. Engine unable to be repaired without another replacement Aug 2022-Jan 2023. Sold car back to dealer at a loss.
2024-03-18

STRUCTURE,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-08-16
  • VIN: JF1GJAA60DH
  • Components: STRUCTURE,ENGINE
  • Summary: Parts of my undercarriage, rusting and falling off Parts of the car are dissolving and falling off like nuts bolts & an exhaust manifold cover & oil valve.
2023-09-21

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-21
  • VIN: JF1GJAD66DH
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the shade shield was closed at the time of the failure. There was no injury sustained. The contact veered to the side of the road and used a plastic bag and tape to cover the sunroof. The contact then continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the sunroof glass panel needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the sunroof frame would be replaced as necessary. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
2023-08-31

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-27
  • VIN: JF1GPAC69D2
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: We own a 2013 Subaru impreza. The transmission valve body part has been determined to be defective from the factory, therefore rendering our vehicle unusable, stopping in front of other vehicles on the road. Subaru of America is aware of this reoccurring part failure with other vehicles of the same model, that they applied a third warranty on the transmission and drivetrain. 
2023-08-21

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-21
  • VIN: JF1GPAA64DH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
  • Summary: During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.
2023-08-13

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-22
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JF1GJAC69DH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The wires that connect to the climate control have started an electrical fire and burned out my climate control twice. Upon reporting this to Subaru they advised the climate control randomly not working is a very common problem as it can melt due to high heat outside (90-100+ temperature). Now upon replacing the climate control unit, the wire connected was burned as there was an active electrical fire that was the cause of the climate control not working because it could not connect to the wire pack properly due to the fire. Fire started and went out on its own but without my knowledge as it’s internal behind the radio portion of the car. I would not have known about the fire unless I replaced the part, which is what I did.
2023-07-31

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-22
  • VIN: JF1GPAL65D2
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: I have been having continuous problems with engine light coming on w the wheel skid light also. I went to Auto Zone and the codes P000D, C1422,P00700 and others. I took vehicle to Subaru to inspect for repair September 11, 2021 The oil temp, traction control light, ABS, and hill control light went off, but the engine light came back on. I left it alone didn't bother with it, figured nothing could be done. I then went to another auto shop on November 28, 2022 because it did bother me about the engine light, someone mention it was dangerous driving w the light on because something could actually be wrong. Also, this shop was to be cheaper. The codes repaired were P000A, P000C, drove off lot engine light came back on. I know it was time for my E- check so I thought I'd give it another try back at Subaru. On July 14, 2023 for repair of engine light. The tests showed repairs for P00A, P00D. They told me they were repairing the vehicle. I left Subaru and about 5 minutes of leaving the engine light came back on. I called them and stated the light was back on, they told me to come in and they could look at it, but I don't have another $ 729.00 to keep giving these auto shops. I had and E-check on July 22, 2023 and didn't pass because of codes P0021 and P000C.
2023-07-27

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
  • VIN: JF1GPAR61D2
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Key will not remove from the ignition. This is a known issue by Subaru but they refuse to correct it.
2023-05-28

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-28
  • VIN: JF1GPAL61D2
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: When the front passenger seat is damp, the passenger airbag light shows it is off, and the dash lights display an error light on the dashboard. The concern is that the passenger is not protected while the airbag is not on.
2023-03-15

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-03-15
  • VIN: JF1GPAU63D2
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he noticed small, yellow-colored drops of liquid on the ground around the vehicle. Upon starting the vehicle, the brake warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact checked the parking brake lever; however, the light remained illuminated. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle coasted to a stop. Despite the failure, the contact drove the vehicle home. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
2023-01-17

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-05-25
  • VIN: JF1GV8J60DL
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: There is a known rod bearing failure issue for the years 2012 - 2017. They automatically extended the warranty to 10 year 100k miles. My car was bought from the Subaru Dealership in Santa Clara California in 2018 (certified pre owned) with 69,000 miles on it They failed to disclose this information - and that there was a class action lawsuit regarding these engines in 2016. (two years before my purchase) This class action settlement has since "expired" or closed...which I do not understand. Currently my vehicle has suffered this failure with only 82,000 miles. THIS WAS NOT ANY FAULT OF MY OWN - while the dealer claims my oil was "dirty" I had the oil changed before the regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. The Dealer purposely quoted me $16,000 for the engine repair - while the OEM engine only costs ~ $3,000 on the Subaru website. My guess is that they did this knowing SOA (Subaru of America) would deny my warranty claim. After much back and forth - me providing receipts for oil and filters (all oil changes performed by certified mechanic). They did deny my warranty claim citing "the overall cost, and age of my vehicle".
2023-01-16

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
  • VIN: JF1GPAC60DH
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: The passenger occupancy detection system is not working, so the passenger air bag is not coming on even when I have an adult passenger. Sometimes, it will register that there is an adult in the seat, but the air bag will not come on, but other times, it doesn't even detect someone is sitting there.
2023-01-14

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-02
  • VIN: JF1GPAL61DG
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: Srs airbag light comes in dash when passenger is is car, airbags will not turn on for passenger side only. Research showed it is a common issue with 2012 and 2013 Subaru airbag systems and it is extremely concerning
2023-01-12

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-08-06
  • VIN: JF1GV7F69DG
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to merge over to the right lane, exited the highway, and veered to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred while driving and coming to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be rebuilt; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
2022-12-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2017-12-16
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JF1GR7E67DG
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph when the check engine illuminated and a loud rattling noise emitted from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle then suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer had replaced the engine. Approximately after the repair while they were driving approximately 40 mph when the same failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer who replaced the engine again. After the second replacement while driving the vehicle was part the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was called and put out the fire. No injuries, medical attention needed. The contact's insurance had replaced the engine a third time. Again, while driving at the same speeds the check engine light suddenly illuminated and the vehicle began rattling underneath the hood. The contact also smelled a fuel burning odor coming into the vehicle. The contact had pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
2022-12-16

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-07-15
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JF1GR7E67DG
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11497752*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
2022-09-17

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-11-17
  • VIN: JF1GV8J63DL
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Secondary air system failure air control value seized witch cause a failed emissions second replacment. Inorder to replace you need to take apart complete manifold not an eazy replace. The failure is keeping me from passing safety emissions
2022-08-14

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-08-12
  • VIN: Jf1gpar61d2
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Ignition key can not always be removed. If I turn the ignition back on it will usually release the key.
2022-07-24

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-23
  • VIN: JF1GPAC62D2
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: The hood primary latch frequently releases causing me to rely on the safety catch. Re-dropping the hood sets it again only to notice several days later that the hood is again unlatched.
2022-07-15

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-15
  • VIN: JF1GJAC68DH
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or ignition until it decides to work. When my vehicle is stolen, will Subaru replace it? This is a problem for which Subaru should beheld responsible.
2022-07-02

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-01
  • VIN: JF1GJAH65DH
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: power steering fails and then begins working again, happened while driving and lost power steering while getting off the highway.
2022-04-12

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-04-06
  • VIN: JF1GPAL69D2
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: Passenger side seat occupancy sensor failed to recognize the occupancy of the passenger seat. Sensor seams to have failed causing the airbag malfunction light to illuminate on the dash. After considerable research online this seems to be a consistent problem with these vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a recall for the same sensor in 2012 Subaru Imprezas but not for the 2013 Subaru Imprezas.
2022-03-30

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-12-01
  • VIN: JF1GPAC65DH
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the key would become stuck in the ignition switch. The failure would occur intermittently however it was progressively worsening. The contact contacted the dealer who stated that the CVT parking brake switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the extended warranty however they did not qualify due to the vehicle being a rebuilt vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

2013 Subaru Impreza recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2013 Subaru Impreza.

2019-02-28
  • Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2018-11-01
  • Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2016-10-13
  • Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
2013-02-25
  • Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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 dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
  • Consequence: 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.

Negative 2013 Subaru Impreza car reviews

  1. Gerald Marks 2025-02-21

    Hi there! I have a 2012 car that I've put 20,000 miles on. This one has the deluxe stereo and $300 speaker option, which is great because sometimes you can actually hear some music above the engine and transmission noise when you're starting off and the tire noise all the time. Unfortunately, Subaru apparently didn't consider sound proofing when designing this car. They ruined the car for me by choosing these noisy, low-rated tires. Maybe I'll like this car once these tires are replaced with something better.

  2. Conner Raynor 2025-02-07

    In 2013, I purchased this car brand new from the dealership for my wife who had just given birth to our new baby boy. Unfortunately, we have had a number of issues with it since then. We experienced an immediate leak in one of our tires, which took a month to fix. We also had an oil consumption issue that required several visits to the service center. Despite these problems, we were able to get the issues resolved under warranty. However, we did experience a problem with the CVT, which was unexpected given what the salesman had told us. Additionally, the driver side front seat has a hole in it after 5 years of use. Overall, I have had a less than satisfactory experience with this car and would not recommend it to others. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Also, the dealer I bought it from, Kearny Mesa Subaru, wasn't great either.

  3. Jaylin Hickle 2025-01-20

    My 2013 Impreza has had three engines, with two being replaced due to oil consumption issues after numerous repairs. Despite being in the shop for three years, I trusted that the third engine would be reliable. However, after only 24,000 miles, the cam carriers had to be resealed and the struts had to be replaced at 50,000 miles. Additionally, the driver's seat is now splitting due to cheap material and the car gets less than 20 mpg in the city, far from Subaru's claims. Despite my disappointment, I did not pursue a lemon law case. Although Subaru only offered an extended warranty that cannot be extended to a dealership, I did not receive any goodwill from them when I asked if they would buy back the car at Kelly Blue Book excellent condition. Despite this experience, I remain open to exploring other options in the future.

  4. Garrett Little 2025-01-08

    Overall, the car is fine. Although the interior is just okay, it handles well on flat roads and downhill in the mountains. It's light and fun to drive in these conditions and feels very stable. However, it's more underpowered than I expected, even hilly neighborhoods have the engine revving high and loud. The AC seems to increase the problem. Additionally, the nav system is not very intuitive, but my cell phone app is more user-friendly. The speakers are tinny and HD radio is not useful because it keeps fading out. I'm unsure if the problem is the car or HD radio in general. The biggest problem is the MPG, as I have yet to break 25 MPG with 60+% highway driving. The trip computer seems to overestimate actual by about 1.4 MPG. After 42 months and 36k miles, the MPG is still way under EPA estimates. I average about 19 city and 27 if pure highway driving (as in a road trip from LA to San Francisco). This is exactly what I get in my 1999 Acura TL, which is a much older, heavier, and more powerful car. In fact, my Impreza matches the EPA estimated MPH for my Acura. At around 36k miles, we noticed oil leaking from the cylinder head. In the 5.5 years since purchase, I just sold it to the dealer for just over half the original purchase price. Not bad. Although it never did much better on MPG, the car did grow on me over the years. The paint seems to be a weak point.

  5. Davin Nader 2024-11-19

    I bought this car new in the spring of 2013 and was super excited. It has been a great car until this year. I have taken very good care of it and am diligent about regular maintenance. Unfortunately, I started having some trouble shifting in reverse (I have the manual 5-speed transmission). Then the key started getting stuck in the ignition and it wouldn't turn to start. Now, this week at only 41,000 miles, my air conditioning goes out and I need a new compressor and condenser, and new brakes of course, but it was time for that. I am not happy with the $2400 repair bill already at this low mileage. I want to love Subaru because they have had such a good reputation, but I must have gotten a lemon. I am looking at new Mazdas now. Sheesh.

Positive 2013 Subaru Impreza car reviews

  1. Emmitt VonRueden 2025-02-16

    I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your Impreza Sport Premium! It sounds like it's been a great fit for your family's needs, with plenty of room for car seats and cargo. The improved gas mileage is definitely a plus, and it's great to hear that the all-wheel drive handling has been fantastic in the rain. It's always exciting to try out a new feature like paddle shifters, and I'm glad to hear that you're having fun driving it. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!

  2. Baylee Hermiston 2025-02-14

    Congratulations on your first Subaru! As a fellow Mazda fan, I can understand the appeal of the 'zoom-zoom' factor, but I'm glad to hear that you were ecstatic after test driving the Impreza. I also prefer manual transmission for the joy of shifting gears, but it's good to know that the CVT option offers better gas mileage. The AWD system sounds impressive, providing instant grip off the line without any delay. It's great to hear that you don't need to redline to merge onto the highway, just a quick blip of the throttle and downshift. I agree that this isn't a WRX and should be appreciated for what it is. The interior may be simple, but the materials are of high quality and the spaciousness is impressive, comfortably fitting four 6ft adults in your sedan.

  3. Damian Dibbert 2025-01-22

    I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to share my experience with my new AWD vehicle. I was looking for something that got decent MPG and I'm happy to say that I'm getting around 30 MPGs now! When I first sat in the car, I was blown away by how comfortable the seat was and how great the visibility is. The leg room is also better than my previous car. I've put around 6,000 miles on it so far and I'm still loving it. I even added some accessories like tinted windows, a bug shield, aero splash guards, and side window deflectors to make it look even better. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase!

  4. Ernest Schaden 2025-01-22

    I bought this car for my wife with safety in mind, especially since we live in Colorado. I wanted to ensure that she would be safe on the road. I noticed that the stock tires were not up to par, so I decided to change them to Michelin Premier A/S. I am now getting 100% traction satisfaction and feel much safer driving the car. The Subaru is a joy to drive, especially when taking corners fast. The handling in all weather is excellent, especially with the Michelin tires. After changing the tires, I am now getting 29 city and 37 Hwy, compared to the previous 25/34. While the acceleration is not as fast as a WRX, it is still a fun and safe car to drive in all weather conditions. If you are looking for a fast car, the WRX is the way to go. However, if you want a car that is both fun and safe to drive, especially in all weather conditions, then this is the car for you.

  5. Eliseo Johnston 2025-01-17

    I am thoroughly pleased with my new car, having traded up from a previous model. The AWD provides exceptional grip, and I have yet to hear any tire squeal. While the stock tires are not ideal due to the noise they produce, the upgraded speakers are definitely worth the investment. Although the CVT takes some getting used to, the car's dynamics make up for it. The MPG is decent, especially if you treat the car right, and I have been able to achieve around 34 MPG with 70% highway driving. While the Bluetooth could be improved, it is sufficient for calls. Overall, this car is a great value for the money, with its AWD, MPG, visibility, and excellent dynamics making me a very happy owner.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2013 Subaru Impreza problems:

Thoughts on 2013 Impreza? : r/subaruimpreza
Thoughts on 2013 Impreza? : r/subaruimpreza
https://www.reddit.com/r/subaruimpreza/comments/vzo7ce/thoughts_on_2013_impreza/

Jul 16, 2022 ... ... (Subaru dealership said the engine was like a game of pinball). Apparently this is a known issue with this model. ... I have a 2013 Impreza Sport ...

2013 Subaru Impreza Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2013 Subaru Impreza Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/subaru/impreza/2013/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2013 Subaru Impreza? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

Issues with 2013 Impreza? : r/subaruimpreza
Issues with 2013 Impreza? : r/subaruimpreza
https://www.reddit.com/r/subaruimpreza/comments/tbe5lq/issues_with_2013_impreza/

Mar 11, 2022 ... The oil burning issue led to issues with our TGV's. Basically, they kept getting stuck from various buildups inside them. This would kick our ...

2013 Subaru Impreza Reliability - Consumer Reports
2013 Subaru Impreza Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/impreza/2013/reliability/

What Owners Say ... "Road damage of some variety (probably a rock) punctured the condenser and all the refrigerant leaked out at some point. The compressor ...

Subaru Impreza Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage ...
Subaru Impreza Reliability and Common Problems - In The Garage ...
https://www.carparts.com/blog/subaru-impreza-reliability-and-common-problems/

Aug 16, 2023 ... The Subaru Impreza has an average reliability rating from RepairPal of 3.5 out of 5.0. · Common problems with the Subaru Impreza include engine ...

Other years of Subaru Impreza

subaru impreza 2014 photo
Impreza 2014
Subaru

99

3

15

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru impreza 2015 photo
Impreza 2015
Subaru

78

2

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru impreza 2016 photo
Impreza 2016
Subaru

72

1

21

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru impreza 2017 photo
Impreza 2017
Subaru

116

7

32

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru impreza 2018 photo
Impreza 2018
Subaru

142

5

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
subaru impreza 2019 photo
Impreza 2019
Subaru

173

5

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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