2012 Subaru Impreza Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 6% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Addendum to 12/30/13 complaint: in addition to the previously outlined problems: 1. Car is now loosing oil. At 26,500 miles the low oil level light came on. Checked oil level and revealed car had lost approx 1.5-2 qt since last regularly scheduled oil change. 2. Brakes squeal when you first compress the pedal. I had the brakes inspected and was told nothing was wrong with them or the brake pad. I do not think this is normal to occur every time you touch the brakes unless something is wrong. Brakes did not start making noise until 25,000 miles. **no confidence this car is trustworthy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559037, filed 2014-01, 26,500 miles“This issue has happened twice, so I feel it's necessary to report it to the NHTSA. The first time this issue was happening, I was following another car going slightly downhill at about 30mph. The posted speed limit was 35mph so I felt like I was constantly switching back and forth between throttle and brake, but not so quickly as to press them at the same time. When this issue occured, there were three solid yellow/orange/gold (depending on how you look at colors) lights lit up solidly in the instrument cluster: the traction control light, the ABS light, and the hill hold assist light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10492916, filed 2013-01, 9,441 miles“Car with only 65,000miles, minimal braking since live and travel on country road. Had rear brake pads replaced. One month later, after long drive then car sitting for a week, master cylinder failed. Noted no brakes when started up the car again.”
NHTSA complaint #10899826, filed 2016-08, 65,000 miles“Took delivery of vehicle that had recall wvy-35 completed pre-delivery. After approximately 45 miles of driving (65 total odometer miles), braking force dropped to near zero. Inspection revealed significant loss of brake fluid. Problem first manifested with slowly sinking brake pedal at stops, with braking still effective, but quickly developed to the point that the brake pedal would go fully to the floor with severely reduced brake force.”
NHTSA complaint #10439407, filed 2011-12, 65 miles“When depressing the clutch pedal, there is a squeak coming from under the dashboard within the footwell area. Squeak is constant. For Subaru has issued a service bulletin #12-190-15r to fix the clutch & brake pedal assembly for model years 2015-2016 but not before. It is my understanding that a crack in the assembly is causing this issue and if left unattended, ultimately could cause decreased or complete failure of the clutch and/or brake functionality. Subaru has redesigned the original part (#36004fg050) with a new one (#36004fg051) but has not offered to fix under an extended warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374142, filed 2020-11, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2016, WRX 2008–2014, Crosstrek 2013–2017 +1 more
- 11V562000Nov 29, 2011Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2012, Outback 2012, Legacy 2012
Related service bulletins
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 10202832Oct 19, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10202821Oct 14, 2021(Subaru Retailers) As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for…
- 10202817Oct 14, 2021(Owner Letter) As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your…
- 10187307Feb 1, 2021This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the…
- 10185064Dec 2, 2020This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
- 10168589Nov 8, 2019"Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be…
- 10165552Sep 30, 2019This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type…
- 10164185Aug 8, 2019This bulletin announces availability of a new front disc brake pad, shim, grease and clip kit designed to reduce customer concerns of excessive brake squeal. This new kit…
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2024 | 7 | 22% |
| 2022 | 2 | 14% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 25 | 10% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 7 | 15% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% |
| 2007 | 6 | 9% |
| 2006 | 6 | 11% |
| 2005 | 6 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 23% |
| 2002 | 60 | 21% |
| 2001 | 3 | 27% |
| 2000 | 5 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 25% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Impreza
105 complaintsEngine
55 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 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 29, 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