2018 Subaru Impreza recalls and problems

The 2018 Subaru Impreza has 5 safety recalls and 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
152
Crashes / fires
5 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Subaru Impreza vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Subaru Impreza recalls

Recall 22V-624: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 12, 2022 · 188,397 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-587: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jul 29, 2021 · 175,968 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 21V-264: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Apr 15, 2021 · 466,205 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 19V743.

Recall 19V-743: Electrical System

Reported Oct 18, 2019 · 466,205 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Recall 19V-744: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 17, 2019 · 205,000 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2018 Subaru Impreza problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting64
Visibility/Wiper34
Unknown or Other25
Electrical System12
Engine11
Structure6
Visibility6
Power Train5
Air Bags3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Steering3
Service Brakes3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 5
  • Visibility › Windshield — 5
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module — 1
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 18,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Subaru Impreza complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Oct 23, 2026
COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system suffered internal mechanical/hydraulic failure (TR580 unit). The vehicle and transmission assembly remain intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The transmission experienced erratic downshifting, slipping, and failure of proper engagement, creating an imminent risk of sudden deceleration, complete loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic. After diagnostic codes were cleared during an independent reassembly, Subaru of America and its dealer (Berman Subaru of Chicago)…
Steering · reported Sep 13, 2026
Vehicle Information: 2018 Subaru ImprezaVIN: [XXX] Affected: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gear Box Assembly)Description of the Safety Defect:I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 Subaru Impreza.The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box assembly experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in an immediate, heavy steering condition that severely impacted my ability to control the vehicle safely. Upon inspection, the EPS gear box housing was found to have suffered structural failure/cracking due to…
Unknown or Other · reported May 6, 2026
I bought a new Subaru Impreza and there is a cam carrier leak that was reported last time I took it for service at the dealership two weeks ago. There are only 41k miles on the car, and there were no warning lights/messages. Upon my research, this is a common problem with Subarus due to the sealant that they use with a very high cost to fix (I was quoted $4.5k), not mentioning the time it takes as well. Additionally, fixing the problem does not prevent it from recurrence. Because this puts the safety of the driver at risk and is a known problem in newer Subaru vehicles, it should be covered…
Engine · at 106,000 miles · reported Feb 19, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed and needed to be redone. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Unknown or Other · reported Jan 18, 2026
The problem started on towards the end of Dec 2025. The primary latch that holds the hood down failed, and the safety latch kept the hood from flying off. I pulled the car over and shut it, and it seemed okay. Because the hood hadn't been lifted for a few days ( since its last service ), I was at a loss as to what could be causing it. Since then, it's happened several times. I've also examined the latch, and it appears to be fine. When it pops up, the safety latch catches it, and I pull over and close it. My next step is to have a mechanic put in a new latch. The car has 95,000 miles on the…

Other Subaru Impreza years

Compare all Subaru Impreza years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Impreza: 22V-624 (exterior lighting), 21V-587 (fuel system, gasoline), 21V-264 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling), 19V-743 (electrical system), 19V-744 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (64 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (34). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 18,500 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.