2018 Subaru Impreza Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 152 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,284miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Subaru Impreza, 3% of the 152 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,284 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Intermittent loss of power at 2000 to 3000 RPM is getting worse and worse. I've taken it to my local Subaru dealer 8 times to address this issue and they have denied anything I've reported. They've had technicians on rides with me but I can't recreate something that is so intermittent. It seems to happen more in hot weather but I can safely say AC isn't the cause. Although my car isn't a crosstrek, the motor in one is exactly the same as mine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11299666, filed 2020-01, 26,000 miles“The car has stalled 3 times while driving. At a stop sign, red light and at a stop sign. The incident at the traffic light caused the vehicle to start rolling backwards and almost hit into another vehicle. Subaru can not find the problem but acknowledges the incidents of stalling. The car is not safe to drive and was purchased in the later half of april 2018.”
NHTSA complaint #11101252, filed 2018-06, 567 miles“After the coil pack recall was done, our car began shuddering, hesitating and stalling. Went to the dealership 4-5 times. ECM and Prindle valve were replaced but still doing it. then engine exploded going up a hill, stranding us for 2.5 hours on the freeway. Engine replaced under warranty (which expired while in shop for two months). No warranty on new motor. Same issues still going on and shop now charges us to look at it. It stalled last week in heavy traffic, so it definitely is dangerous. We don't want to sell the car and pass the problem on to someone else.”
NHTSA complaint #11502411, filed 2023-01“COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system suffered internal mechanical/hydraulic failure (TR580 unit). The vehicle and transmission assembly remain intact and available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The transmission experienced erratic downshifting, slipping, and failure of proper engagement, creating an imminent risk of sudden deceleration, complete loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11773300, filed 2026-10“it is a case of sudden acceleration when parking the car in battery , goin forward very slowly, the subaru impreza accelerate , jump the curve and crash agaings a tree 5 ft away from the curve, the results extensive damage in the left front , airbags did not deploy”
NHTSA complaint #11536081, filed 2023-08Related service bulletins
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036814Aug 20, 2026This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- 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…
- 11036809Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036806Aug 20, 2026This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model…
- 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.
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 2018 Subaru Impreza
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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