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Engine coolingPart report

2011 Subaru Impreza Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
5%of 58 total for the year
Median mileage
5,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 Subaru Impreza, 5% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles.

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.

“1. Was driving the car and it started to smoke like crazy, and lost power while in the middle of traffic. 2. I had an engine failure, almost 75% of these cars are having the same issue 3. Brought it in for work and the dealer made me pay for it because Subaru didn't want to warranty the car!”

NHTSA complaint #10418166, filed 2011-08, 5,000 miles

“The car is a 2011 Subaru wrx sti. As far as I can tell nothing LED up to the failure. It was fine one day, then failed the next. The failure was broken piston ring lands on the #2 and #4 pistons in the engine. The consequences were that I needed to replace the short block of the engine along with all associated parts like new pistons. Subaru replaced the short block and all associated parts under warranty, including new pistons and rings.”

NHTSA complaint #10418364, filed 2011-08, 4,600 miles

“2011 Subaru Impreza. Consumer writes in regards to a faulty transmission clutch. The consumer noticed on cold starts and especially if it was cold and/or rainy the throw out bearing would have a consistent squeal. Once the vehicle was warmed up and operating temperature was reached, the noise would subside. At 50,000 miles, the consumer went to another dealership and an inspection revealed the clutch was worn. The consumer was informed it was normal. At the same time, the consumer had an issue with the 5th gear grinding and not being able to put the vehicle into gear without it grinding. …”

NHTSA complaint #10888367, filed 2016-08, 7,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201921%
201511%
201321%
201210%
201135%
201037%
200977%
2008148%
200757%
2006713%
200534%
200455%
200346%
2002197%
200037%
199915%
1998723%
199713%
1996210%
199549%

Other parts of the 2011 Subaru Impreza

Air bags
17 complaints
Electrical system
9 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 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