2012 Subaru Impreza Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 105about this part
- Share
- 43%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,750miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 105 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 43% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,750 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Passenger airbag will intermittently turn off and airbag warning light comes on when there is a passenger in the seat. Seat is not wet. My 2012 Impreza was not part of the recall of the passenger seat airbag sensor but I believe it should be as this sensor fails quite often and the passenger airbag turns off even when someone is sitting in the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11244215, filed 2019-08, 110,000 miles“Passenger seat airbag warning light shows passenger airbag disabled while a passenger is in the seat. This happens whether the car is moving or stopped. Car is a 2012 Subaru Impreza 5-door wagon, built 10/2011. I see 2012 Impreza sedans have been recalled, but I am having the same issue as those, but my car is a 5-door wagon and isn't on the recall list. Please expand the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11141154, filed 2018-10, 130,000 miles“Passenger air bag turns off while occupant is in the passenger seat. Also seems to happen when I plug my phone charger into the car. Along with air bag light going off, the electrical systems in the car powered down while I was on the highway. This is a serious safety concern. Happens while driving or stationary.”
NHTSA complaint #11129864, filed 2018-09, 75,000 miles“Passenger airbag indicator light went on as I was driving with a passenger. First 10 miles had no problem, then all of a sudden, the last half mile of the trip it went on. I dropped the passenger off and the light remained on another 2 miles as I reached my destination. Shut off the car and turned it back on, the light was no longer on.”
NHTSA complaint #10735679, filed 2015-07, 13,000 miles“I sideswiped a parked car and the momentum caused my car to flip over and land on its roof. Have not heard from the adjuster but it is obvious the car is totaled . Writing to you to let you know that I also wrote to Subaru to advise them that I think that the airbags should have deployed but none of them did. The accident occurred in union, n.j.”
NHTSA complaint #10609858, filed 2014-07, 19,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V419000Jul 1, 2015Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2012
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10244915Oct 30, 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2003-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2003-2006 model…
- 10173127Mar 19, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
- 10171089Jan 17, 2020This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
- 10154207Jan 10, 2019This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 11 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 11% |
| 2015 | 7 | 9% |
| 2014 | 38 | 35% |
| 2013 | 79 | 31% |
| 2012 | 105 | 43% |
| 2011 | 17 | 29% |
| 2010 | 6 | 13% |
| 2009 | 12 | 12% |
| 2008 | 37 | 21% |
| 2007 | 27 | 40% |
| 2006 | 20 | 36% |
| 2005 | 12 | 16% |
| 2004 | 14 | 15% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2001 | 2 | 18% |
| 2000 | 2 | 5% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 10% |
| 1997 | 6 | 20% |
| 1996 | 5 | 25% |
| 1995 | 20 | 43% |
| 1993 | 11 | 33% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Impreza
55 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSeats
15 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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