2012 Subaru Impreza Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 6%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 6% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“When driving my vehicle the passenger airbag warning would go off with no passenger in the vehicle. When I have a passenger in my vehicle, the airbag sensor can't detect a passenger which is extremely dangerous. Also, for whatever reason the drivers seat isnt detecting a driver so the airbag light is on. After googling this issue I see that many other 2012 Subaru Impreza owners are having the same issue with no resolve.”
NHTSA complaint #11373499, filed 2020-11, 122,000 miles“I was driving down the interstate highway with my mother in the passenger seat when I suddenly noticed that the airbag light on the dashboard had come on. I then looked at the passenger airbag sensor light and noticed that it was in the off position. It concerned me that my passenger was not being detected by the airbag sensor, especially considering that I was driving at a speed of 65 MPH. We continued to our destination and then shut off the car and restarted it to see if the airbag sensor would detect my passenger, which it did not. …”
NHTSA complaint #11025147, filed 2017-09, 98,000 miles“Occupant detection sustem on passenger side malfunction, does not always recognize passenger. Sometime s it stops working in middle of trip. Happens sporadically, but is becoming more frequent and does not always resolve with restarting car. Has to do with capacitance detection, but so far Subaru dealers I contact act like it's not an issue though earlier model apparently has recall for exact issue. And no the passenger isn't wet. Has been occurring for over a year and we have pulled over and restarted car, but on recent trip it was much worse. And shouldn't be happening anyway!”
NHTSA complaint #11120825, filed 2018-08, 100,000 miles“I was driving down the interstate with a passenger and the airbag light came on and the light for the passenger airbag said off. While driving, my passenger looked up some troubleshooting for this issue. Apparently there is a recall for other same year, same makes and models of my vehicle. My vehicle is not part of this recall based on what month it was made. After I stopped the car and restarted it, the light did not illuminate again until I was going at a high rate of speed again. This has happened more than once. Every time with a passenger and driving on an expressway.”
NHTSA complaint #11030746, filed 2017-10, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213197May 23, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assembliesd.
- 10201027Aug 4, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10186399Jan 26, 2021This bulletin announces a design change made to the front seat hinge bolts.
- 10186363Jan 12, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10185082Dec 15, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10175977May 5, 2020This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assemblies used on the models listed.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 10% |
| 1996 | 2 | 10% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Impreza
105 complaintsEngine
55 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsBrakes
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 28, 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