Most common 2018 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of the 151 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 →
2018 Subaru Impreza recalls (5)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Electrical system › Software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021.
Electrical system › Software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of…
What 2018 Subaru Impreza owners say
Lights all 64 →
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights were extremely dim, making it difficult to see the roadway properly while driving night. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 17,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated while driving at night, the headlights failed to provide adequate illumination. The failure mileage was 25,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 40 →
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway and as he sat in the vehicle, he noticed that there was a crack on the passenger's side of the windshield. The contact looked around but could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to an independent mechanic for repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that he parked and remained at a close distance from the vehicle; however, upon returning to the vehicle, he noticed that there was a large crack on the windshield. The contact inspected the windshield but could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,500.
Electrical system
The Starlink head unit, produced by HK, is having the same issues that the WUA86 update should have fixed. It was reprogrammed in 2019, and less than 1 year later when my wife bought it, it was having the same reported glitches. I.E. randomly turning off and on, not connecting to Bluetooth/usb music interface, backup camera taking extended time to come up on head unit screen, turning the headhunt off with the power button doesn't work because it just randomly turns itself back on again. The bluetooth will also randomly disconnect when it does happen to connect in the first place. This is a recall that was performed, and the same exact issues are happening. It's a BIG danger to whomever is driving the car as it takes attention away from driving. I am very unhappy with this danger as it was supposed to have been repaired already. …
2018 Impreza, beginning around 2020, has had three dead or damaged batteries (2x OEM and 1x aftermarket) and the car is now on its fourth battery (aftermarket). Vehicle couldn't sit for more than a few days without needing jump started. Dealership performed parasitic draw test and concluded the Data Communications Module (DCM) was the source of the parasitic draw and pulled the DCM fuse while I await back ordered parts (the DCM and DCM battery). From my research, older DCM units rely on 3G cell service that's no longer available and the DCM keeps attempting to phone home telemetry data, but can't, and drains the battery. Thankfully I have an extended warranty to cover this replacement but feel like Subaru needs to be more proactive in solving this issue for its customers by declaring a recall.
2018 Subaru Impreza engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 28 / 38 / 32 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | AWD | 24 / 32 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Subaru Impreza a good car?
Based on 151 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Impreza rates avoid: 3.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Impreza at the same age. It is one of the Impreza years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Subaru Impreza?
The lights — 64 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (40) and electrical system (12).
How many recalls does the 2018 Subaru Impreza have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2018 Subaru Impreza, the most recent from August 12, 2022 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Impreza?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018 and 2017. See the full Subaru Impreza years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Subaru Impreza problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 19,000 miles; 94% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.