2012 Subaru Impreza Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 243 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 2% of the 243 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,500 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.
“I was driving down the road and heard a loud noise (almost like a gunshot), and looked up to see my sunroof/moonroof had shattered. The road I was driving on was being repaved, so I did hit a slight bump, but I had driven on the same bump for the previous 3 days and so did all other drivers. I do not know how something like this could have occurred. My car did not bottom-out or hit anything, but somehow the sunroof had shattered.”
NHTSA complaint #10704253, filed 2015-04, 73,000 miles“I was at a stop at an intersection about to make a right turn and all of a sudden my rear window spontaneously shattered and broke. I looked to see if a car had hit me and their was no car there. I pulled over to inspect the damage and looked for a rock or stone. Nothing was there, the rear window just broke on it's own. I was using my rear defroster at the time. It was strange and I believe this to be a fault from the factory. I have read that this has been an issue in the past with Subaru. The rear glass had no chips or cracks prior to this spontaneous damage.”
NHTSA complaint #11172014, filed 2019-01, 171,000 miles“The sunroof glass exploded as I was driving down the road in my 2012 Subaru Impreza wrx. No impact, calm weather (no debris flying around), no other vehicles nearby (that could have thrown a rock or something).”
NHTSA complaint #10588335, filed 2014-05, 18,000 miles“Outside temperature: 33 degrees f. No precipitation. Road condition: dry, moderately rough road surface. Oncoming traffic: none internal heat applied to windshield, full heat, air speed level 2. Without any external force being applied to the windshield, suddenly an approximately 18 inch crack appeared in the passenger's portion of the windshield, low down, cracking from slightly off right center, toward the left side of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10689763, filed 2015-02, 42,000 miles“The contact's son's father owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon activating the heating system, a burning odor would emit from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic discovered melted plastic; as well as black soot, inside the vehicle's instrument panel and harness blower resistor. The contact stated that an unknown fuse and the heater motor were replaced; however, the failure returned. …”
NHTSA complaint #11640388, filed 2025-02, 129,173 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | 25% |
| 2022 | 3 | 21% |
| 2021 | 3 | 21% |
| 2020 | 56 | 66% |
| 2019 | 60 | 31% |
| 2018 | 40 | 26% |
| 2017 | 25 | 20% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 8 | 14% |
| 2010 | 6 | 13% |
| 2009 | 4 | 4% |
| 2008 | 25 | 14% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 17 | 6% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 2 | 7% |
| 1996 | 1 | 5% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 | 1 | 13% |
| 1993 | 13 | 39% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Impreza
105 complaintsEngine
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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