Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Two instances of CVT Transmission failure. First: Occurred at 102,926 miles, car only 8 years old. While driving, suddenly many warning lights came on and the car started shuddering. The lights were Check Engine, Oil Temp, Cruise Control, vehicle dynamics, and ABS. I drove my car to a transmission shop, who read the codes 2764 and and 0700. He replaced the TCC Solenoid and valve body on 11/18/2020. I drove the car for 6 more months to ~106,000 miles successfully, until... The Second Issue: On 6/6/21 while driving my car, it stopped accelerating. I couldn't go above 18 mph! This was a huge safety issue. I had to drive on major roads with a speed limit of 50mph going only 18mph, with my hazard lights on. I'm so fortunate it happened to be at 10pm on a Sunday night, or I could have gotten in an accident. …
I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerate. I pulled over and turned the car off as recommended in the owner's manualAfter following the manual's instructions to let the engine cool down, I attempted to turn the car on and put it in gear. It would not move when I put it in reverse or drive. The transmission failed entirely. Previous to my taking the car on this trip, I brought the car to my Subaru Dealership because I smelled the same burning in the cabin along with a strange whirring sound and the transmission light came on then too. At that time, I pulled over and read the owner's manual and did what it recommended. …
Hello car just stopped on the Fla turnpike because bad valve body on transmission seem subaru knows about this problem and offered a extended warranty 10 yr or 100k but they did this during covid with stay at home orders and never sent any type of Notification my wife was almost killed when this happened to her our car has only 70k I feel they should have sent us letter we had the car since new this is a very dangerous situation for anyone owning a Subaru imprezza from 2010 to 2015 and many other Subaru have this problem as well
The car will not allow me to turn it off and remove the key from the ignition. This is apparently caused by a known issue with the gear box/transmission stick not making proper contact with a metal plate within the box.
My son's 2012 Subaru Impreza, was bought used, with 59,000. Miles, with hope of owning a reliable, safe vehicle on 2/11/16. On 6/26/16 he went for a routine oil change and within one week the car was completely seized. He was driving home, no warning lights, or anything just made a loud sound then he was just barely able to make it to the side of a busy 3 lane road to call for a tow truck. At the time, we worried that the oil change May have been done improperly and caused the issue. We contacted the business, who then had a ase certified mechanic/inspector verify that it was not the oil change but an internal engine problem. We then had towed it again to Subaru dealer that was 7/12/16. Then we began calling- daily or every other day; to the service manager and emailing to corporate Subaru- asking what is wrong with his car? Why did it happen? What can be done? What will it cost? …
Was driving at 60 MPH normal highway speed and bunch of lights came on the dash while driving. Trouble codes pulled on scan tool were p2764 and p0700, these codes indicated bad solenoid on CVT transmission valve body therefore had to replace the CVT valve body. Car has 146,000 miles however CVT has been properly maintained and CVT fluid replaced every 30,000. Subaru is hiding the issues with the CVT model tr-580 and purposely extending the warranty only up to 100,000. I believe they know the CVT will fail after 100K and don't want to put out the money to issue a proper recall. The options to fix the issue are either CVT valve body replacement or full transmission replacement which are both very costly. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the gear shifter failed to shift out of park. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V149000 (exterior lighting); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called rye Subaru (located at 1175 boston post rd, rye, ny 10580, [phone]) and stamford Subaru (located at 198 baxter ave, stamford, ct 06902, [phone]) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,777. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Subaru CVT - known issue my 2012 Subaru's CVT transmission failed without warning while in motion at 60mph driving in the left hand lane of a busy interstate. The car/engine had regular maintenance as directed by the maker, however without warning the transmission failed putting the driver and three passenger's lives at risk. Subaru has acknowledged issues with this specific transmission, however an extension of the warranty is not an appropriate intervention when potentially catastrophic accidents could occur without warning. This was a well maintained vehicle with no identifiable signs that the transmission could fail. Subaru should be held accountable for these failing CVT transmissions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to stohlmans Subaru (8435 leesburg pike, vienna, virginia) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. In addition, the struts, muffler, and rear brake pads were faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 1-35452451016. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (curry Subaru, 3040 e main street, cortland, ny 10567) where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Transmission complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Subaru Impreza, 11% of the model year's 243 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Subaru Impreza transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Subaru Impreza, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Subaru Impreza transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.