SUBARU IMPREZA · model year

2010 SUBARU IMPREZA

61 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 15 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010SUBARUIMPREZA carries 61 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 IMPREZA is unknown or other with 8 filings, followed by engine (7) and air bags (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 15 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2010 IMPREZA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

61
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

61 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
ENGINE7
AIR BAGS7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN5
SERVICE BRAKES5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
VISIBILITY/WIPER4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
VISIBILITY2
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (15)

14V83000031/12/2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshi

19V14900028/02/2019

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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

16V35800025/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii,

16V73800013/10/2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

19V29700011/04/2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.

14V31100010/06/2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michi

17V01400010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Ha

19V00700009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Amer

19V00800009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ma

19V00900009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mont

18V01200009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Am

18V01300009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New J

20V00100002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawai

20V00300002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,

20V00200002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbi

Recent Complaints

20230817ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and the vehicle was able to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20230222AIR BAGS

####PLEASE DELETE VOQ###

20220803FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2010 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 60 MPH, he stated that he heard a loud bang from the engine compartment and saw smoke coming from under the hood. The son stated that an unknown warning light had illuminated. The son safely stopped the vehicle, exited, and noted that more smoke was coming from under the hood. The son stated that a small fire had ignited under the front end of the hood and eventually engulfed the vehicle. The police were on the scene and called the fire department. The son was not sure if the fire department extinguished the flame with water or chemicals. The fire department issued a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and declared a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20220716VISIBILITY/WIPER

The driver side visor hangs in the face of the driver. It will not stay up against the window, so it blocks the drivers ability to see. The driver must take a hand off the steering wheel to hold it out of the way, and have it block the blazing sun so that she can see the road. This is very unsafe. The passenger side visor fell right off, so the sun shines right in the driver's eyes from that side of the windshield. Both need to be replaced, and/or have their mechanisms replaced so they are safe to use and don't block the driver's vision.

20220716UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The driver side visor hangs in the face of the driver. It will not stay up against the window, so it blocks the drivers ability to see. The driver must take a hand off the steering wheel to hold it out of the way, and have it block the blazing sun so that she can see the road. This is very unsafe. The passenger side visor fell right off, so the sun shines right in the driver's eyes from that side of the windshield. Both need to be replaced, and/or have their mechanisms replaced so they are safe to use and don't block the driver's vision.

20211203VISIBILITY/WIPER

The driver's side sun visor, which is supposed to stay where you put it (either up out of the way or down in front of the window) has lost its grip and now just hangs straight down obscuring my view of the road ahead and could swing into my face if I brake or accelerate quickly.

20210812TIRES

All four tires had to be replaced due to tire rot. The tires had a 45,000 warranty and had to be replaced with 14,000 miles on the tires. The tires were deemed unsafe to drive on. 08/05/2021

20210303UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE HAD THE MOST RECENT AIRBAG RECALL PERFORMED ON MY CAR RECENTLY. I LATER RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE LETTERS IN THE MAIL ADVISING ME TO CALL/TEXT "FIX" TO PHONE NUMBERS 877-244-0533 OR 844-898-7574 BECAUSE MY CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY STILL IN NEED OF AN AIRBAG RECALL FIX. I HAVE VERIFIED THROUGH SEVERAL SOURCES THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY FURTHER RECALLS. THESE LETTERS ARE APPARENTLY PHISHING SCHEMES, AS THE PHONE NUMBERS ARE NOT LISTED AS BEING NHTSA NUMBERS. THE LETTERS INCLUDE THE SUBARU AND NHTSA LOGOS AT THE TOP. THE WEBSITE LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF BOTH LETTERS IS "SAFEAIRBAGS.COM". WHAT DISTURBS ME MOST IS THAT THE LETTERS INCLUDE MY VEHICLE VIN INFORMATION, AS WELL AS MY NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS. THE ONLY WAY THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IS IF MY SERVICING DEALERSHIP SHARED OR SOLD MY INFORMATION TO 3RD PARTY COMPANIES. BETWEEN THAT AND THE FACT THAT THESE LETTERS APPEAR TO BE PHISHING FOR MORE PERSONAL INFORMATION, I AM OUTRAGED THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. WHAT RECOUR

20201012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20201012UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20201012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20201012FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20201012UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20201012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STEERING PUMP, CLUTCH AND LOSS OF POWER

20200225SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD WITH THE BRAKES FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN UNKNOWN DEALER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC). THE DEALER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20200122POWER TRAIN

THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE RUSTING AND CORRODING, WHICH LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING OR SPRAYING OUT OF THE LINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHICH LEADS TO LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. SEE IN PICTURE THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE WAS FIXED BUT THERE IS STILL CORROSION. THIS TRANSMISSION FLUID LINE SEEMS LIKE THE SAME MATERIAL IN THE BREAK LINE RECALL FOR CORROSION.

20190801ENGINE

AFTER 72 HOURS OF MY PURCHASE OF THE 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX FROM TOYOTA BOULDER DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN BOULDER, COLORADO, I HAD EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE STARTER OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO FAULT IN THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER I WAS SIMPLY MISINFORMED AND THEREFORE PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT WASNT IN ADEQUATE, SAFE CONDITIONS. ON TUESDAY I HAD EXPERIENCED A LACK OF POWER WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE . I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING HOWEVER AROUND NOON I HAD DRIVEN 10 MILES FROM MY WORK AND HAD DOWN SHIFTED TO 1 GEAR FROM 2ND AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD THEN TRIED TO FIRE UP THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS ON PAR, THE BATTERY WAS AT 86% OF LIFE WHICH NARROWED IT DOWN TO EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. HOWEVER BY THE LOOKS AND MY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES I BELIEVE THE ROOT OF THE MALFUNCTION LIES WITHIN THE STARTER. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY THE SECOND TIME I HAD TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 113,300

20190801UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AFTER 72 HOURS OF MY PURCHASE OF THE 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX FROM TOYOTA BOULDER DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN BOULDER, COLORADO, I HAD EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE STARTER OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO FAULT IN THIS SITUATION, HOWEVER I WAS SIMPLY MISINFORMED AND THEREFORE PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT WASNT IN ADEQUATE, SAFE CONDITIONS. ON TUESDAY I HAD EXPERIENCED A LACK OF POWER WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE . I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING HOWEVER AROUND NOON I HAD DRIVEN 10 MILES FROM MY WORK AND HAD DOWN SHIFTED TO 1 GEAR FROM 2ND AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I HAD THEN TRIED TO FIRE UP THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS ON PAR, THE BATTERY WAS AT 86% OF LIFE WHICH NARROWED IT DOWN TO EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR. HOWEVER BY THE LOOKS AND MY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES I BELIEVE THE ROOT OF THE MALFUNCTION LIES WITHIN THE STARTER. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY THE SECOND TIME I HAD TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 113,300

20190225UNKNOWN OR OTHER

INSTALLATION OF INFERIOR PARTS IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CRAINKSHAFT AND BOTTOM END.

Mileage: 92,000

20190124AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A SPACE WHEN I LEFT TO GO AND EAT. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE CAR S0MEONE HAD BACKED INTO IT . THEY HAD IT REPAIRED AND IT WAS FINE.

Mileage: 34,342

Compare 2010SUBARUIMPREZA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
The 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA has 61 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Yes, the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA has 15 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The most-complained component for the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.