2013 Subaru Impreza Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 9%of 251 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Subaru Impreza, 9% of the 251 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While going 65 MPH on the highway the continuous variable transmission locked up, gas pedal became unresponsive, and the car had to be towed to the dealership. I am thankful that a car was not tailing behind me and that I was not driving during commute hours. Traction assist, hill assist, and check engine at oil temp light came on. At 97,000 miles on the odometer, the dealership said it was transmission failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11297032, filed 2020-01, 97,000 miles“The problem I am about to describe has been intermittent for the past 3 years but recently has become consistent. The dealership has been unable to duplicate/locate the malfunction up until now. I would like to add that the concern was apparent while the vehicle was still under warranty. When driving the vehicle the transmission bucks and thumps with unreliable acceleration and a feeling of being pushed forward. …”
NHTSA complaint #11186713, filed 2019-03, 124,450 miles“Cvt failing which is a common issue with the a/t. I feel it can lead to a serious safety issue as I travel far and frequently. I will not allow my children to ride in the vehicle as this should be recalled and replaced or repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11328708, filed 2020-06, 129,500 miles“To start off I have an extended warranty on my vehicle felt my clutch starting to shift they told me I needed a new clutch flywheel and throttle bearing. Took it to a independent repair shop. They replaced the throttle bearing which was completely warped clutch was good but replaced anyway because at that point why not the entire transmission was out. Called Subaru nothing was done. Also just got into an accident vehicle was totaled and my airbags did not inflate.”
NHTSA complaint #11144822, filed 2018-11, 91,000 miles“On august 14, 2017, while on the highway driving at 65 miles per hour, the engine began to swiftly shift down and completely seized, causing me to have to pull over on the left shoulder. This was about one week after our original transmission was replaced for free (they extended the warranty but didn't issue a recall - why? They told us that they were having problems with 2010 and 2013 Impreza transmissions but we had to ask them about a funny sound, no one notified us). …”
NHTSA complaint #11020929, filed 2017-08, 99,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 40% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 4 | 29% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 13 | 17% |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 23 | 9% |
| 2012 | 26 | 11% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 | 30 | 29% |
| 2008 | 59 | 34% |
| 2007 | 8 | 12% |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% |
| 2004 | 9 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2002 | 25 | 9% |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% |
| 1999 | 4 | 18% |
| 1998 | 9 | 30% |
| 1997 | 5 | 17% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 38% |
| 1993 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2013 Subaru Impreza
79 complaintsEngine
75 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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