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EnginePart report

2010 Subaru Impreza Engine Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
15%of 46 total for the year
Median mileage
73,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Subaru Impreza, 15% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11241142, filed 2019-08, 113,300 miles

“My 2010 wrx sti hatchback is making a creaking/flexing/bending sound every time I depress my clutch pedal. I started to notice this about a month after I purchased my vehicle and at first I thought it was just a noise issue and upon further research I noticed that my clutch pedal/brake assembly is flexing and the spot welds are failing on the firewall. I have taken it to multiple dealerships in virginia and they all have said it is normal and refused to work on it saying my warranty has expired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10620926, filed 2014-08, 70,000 miles

“Engine failed catastrophically at 73k miles. Subaru attributed failure to poor lubrication , but denies responsibility. These cars burn oil excessively and have no low oil caution light. Major internal engine failures are common with ej and fb engines due to failure of rod bearings, turbos, head gaskets and due to abnormal combustion.”

NHTSA complaint #10956578, filed 2017-02, 73,000 miles

“Due to the secondary air pump constantly running it has over pressurized mt cylinder head and has caused coolant problems. Possibly has blown the head gasket by creating excessive back pressure in the cylinder.”

NHTSA complaint #10940145, filed 2017-01, 95,000 miles

“Engine completely seized while driving on the highway without any warning from the car's computer engine seizure was due to all of the oil leaking out of the engine from the oil filter area. This was a slow leak over a 5 month period. The biggest concern here is that the car's computer system did nothing to warn me of this impending catastrophic failure. No oil lights ever came on, no cel ever came on, the oil temperature gauge never moved from the middle. From the time the slight knocking in the engine started to the time of the engine seizing was probably less then 5 minutes. …”

NHTSA complaint #10471168, filed 2012-08, 17,800 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025120%
202426%
202217%
202117%
202034%
201984%
2018117%
20171411%
201634%
20151013%
20142019%
20137530%
20125523%
201135%
2010715%
20091313%
2008137%
2007812%
200659%
200557%
200312%
200231%

Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Impreza

Other or unknown
9 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Seats
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Subaru Impreza

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology