2011 Subaru Impreza Problems & Complaints

Most common 2011 Subaru Impreza problems

• Air bags~55,000 miles
  1729%
• Electrical system~78,000 miles
  916%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~45,000 miles
  814%
• Engine & cooling~7,000 miles
  610%
• Brakes~26,000 miles
  610%
• Fuel & propulsion system~46,000 miles
  610%
• Transmission & drivetrain~32,000 miles
  610%
• Other / not specified~40,000 miles
  59%
• Suspension~26,000 miles
  23%
• Speed control & acceleration~27,000 miles
  23%
• Body & structure~50,000 miles
  23%
• Wheels & tires
  23%
• Seats~85,000 miles
  23%
• Steering~0 miles
  12%
• Seat belts~11,000 miles
  12%
• Stability & traction control~24,000 miles
  12%

Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Subaru Impreza complaints by model year

Best Impreza years: 2023, 2021, 2022. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018, 2017. Compare all years →

2011 Subaru Impreza recalls (14)

What 2011 Subaru Impreza owners say

Air bags

Wearing my seat belt, I was driving up a hill going 50 MPH and rear ended an SUV in front of me and side swiped another car on the drivers side. Both front tires busted, hood smashed in, both head light broken out, windshield wiper fluid container completely on ground, motor pushed back into the transmission, bent frame, everything under the hood of my car was pushed back, doors jammed shut and not a single air bag deployed. No air bags deployed, no powder came out, nothing. Luckily I wasn't hurt but the way my car is smashed I should of been badly injured or dead.

The driver was the only occupant in my vehicle. My vehicle was traveling straight through a controlled intersection. A vehicle approaching from the opposite direction attempted to turn left directly in front of me, causing the collision. My vehicle struck the other vehicle at almost a perfect 90 degree angle, causing extensive damage to the front of my vehicle, including destroying the bumper/bumper cover, front grill, headlights, radiator/ac condenser, both front fenders, hood, etc. Despite the severity of the damage no airbags deployed in my vehicle. The attending police officer (who cited the other driver) and the tow truck driver both commented that they were extremely surprised that the bag(s) did not deploy and that it was their belief that the bag(s) should have deployed.

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V738000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Within 10 minutes of starting the vehicle activating the seat heater associated to the driver seat a burning smell began to become apparent in the passenger cabin. Eventually the smell developed into pain in the legs and there was a hole burned into the driver seat. The seat heater was still operating at full capacity and supplying energy to the system as it was igniting the driver seat. This event occured on 140th in renton, washington. The vehicle was on the roadway traveling with traffic when it occured.

Windows, wipers & sunroof

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the sunroof exploded without impact. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no reported injuries. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 92,860.

While driving on the freeway, I hit a bump and the rear view mirror fell off it's attachment on the windshield. Rear view mirror was dangling down from wire. Checked with the dealer, stated there was a "campaign" ie. Not a recall for this issue so it's a known issue. My car being out of warranty, I purchased new rear view mirror mount adaptor from the dealer as car is out of warranty. New adaptopr shows reduced chamfers ensuring screws (too short?) engage properly. Installed new mount with blue locktite to ensure this thing will not be scaring the heck out of me again (while driving freeway speed) previous block and new purchase one do not show evidence of blue locktite. Ref Subaru p/n h501ssa041.

2011 Subaru Impreza engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.