Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 14% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% | 26,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 11% | 25,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 8% | 57,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 13 | 5% | 62,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 5% | 41,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 27,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% | 69,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 9% | 52,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% | 146,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% | 81,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 4% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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. I suspected it was due to a recall repair that hadn't been performed but ive had both of my recalls done but my dealer never reported it to Subaru of America. The name of my main dealership is hine Subaru of temecula. Https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/hesitation-bog-on-acceleration-6mt.175290/page-2 this forum and countless others have discussed this issue and continue to claim it's a safety issue, especially when merging onto the freeway. …
Since new, maybe once a month, Cruise control idiot light comes on and flashes until car is turned off. usually no bother but one day it started braking without me and I bought the DUMB base model!!! before extended warranty expires, this august, hopefully dealer will replace wheel speed sensors on rear wheels. not sure if this will fix problem. I have asked them to check this six or seven times now. they tell me warranty may not cover it unless code is stored? hopefully they will stand behind product and fix it anyway. 2017 Impreza with 33000 miles and have done ALL recalls and maintenance!
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. While the contact was coasting the vehicle forward in the driveway, it independently surged forward without warning and crashed into the garage door. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice before and that the eyesight automatic braking feature failed to activate during each occurrence. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and there were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The dealer (beyer Subaru, 7416 richmond hwy, alexandria, va 22306, [phone]) was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to an independent body shop first and then bring it to them for diagnostic testing. The contact emailed the manufacturer regarding the failure. The vehicle remained on the contact's property and had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
In November of 2018 and again January 31, 2022. In November 2018, I was backing up in small parking lot tap the gas pedal. and my car speed up going backwards, even when I was pushing the brake. What stopped the momentum was another car, my car crashed into caused extensive damage to that car( it was totaled) . The second time; I turned the wheels to back-in as I had a several times into my driveway. The car was to far over, but because I was not centered enough in the driveway, I moved forward to realign myself. The car seemed to hesitate as I moved forward, before putting it in reverse. I Put the car in reverse, lightly hit gas the car seem to take off as if it was a rocket backing up into driveway and went through the back wall of my garage ( because there was so much snow it came to a stop). My daughter was observed on the ring camera. …
The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at a low rate of speed and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive into the opposite lane and into the neighbor's yard. After shifting into neutral, the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. In addition, on several occasions when turning the vehicle off, the key would remain stuck in the ignition switch. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,800. The Vin was not available.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing the vehicle at 10 MPH, the transmission was shifted into drive (D), and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration at 30 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop and instead accelerated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle then crashed into a building. No air bags were deployed. The contact did not sustain any injuries, but medical attention was received on the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and had not yet been deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that a police officer later arrived at the residence to deliver a notice suspending her driver's license indefinitely due to a medical condition. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
I purchased a Subaru for reliability and safety reasons. This car has placed my family in some dangerous situations. Every time the outside temp is 90+ degrees F and it is driven on a road trip of 200+ miles, the car's acceleration shuts off. There is never any warning or check engine/trans lights until after this happens. Nate Wade Subaru in Salt Lake City cannot find any codes and does not know how to help. The car will not restart after being turned off, even after waiting up to an hour. We have had to tow it. The last incident taking place 7/30/2022 with our 19 year old son driving. The worst part is that twice it happened in the far left lane with no option to get over to the right side of the highway safely due to traffic. Cars/trucks from behind have narrowly missed hitting us because there was not enough shoulder to pull out of the way. …
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Impreza years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (13), 2012 (11), 2009 (9), 2014 (8) and 2016 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Subaru Impreza acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-128 (cables, Mar 16, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Impreza acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 61% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cables (5 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (5).
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.