Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 40% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 29% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% | 27,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% | 26,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2016 | 13 | 17% | 23,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% | 47,000 miles |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% | 73,000 miles |
| 2013 | 23 | 9% | 97,000 miles |
| 2012 | 26 | 11% | 71,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% | 42,000 miles |
| 2009 | 30 | 29% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 59 | 34% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 12% | 27,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% | 9,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% | 115,000 miles |
| 2002 | 25 | 9% | 30,000 miles |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% | 63,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 18% | — |
| 1998 | 9 | 30% | 51,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 17% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
To start of with the steering seems to loosen up while driving, it's hard to explain but while driving the vehicle it is very noticable that the car is jurking side to side , if your used to a certain pressure put on the steering wheel to turn or keep in a constant turn(like a long turn or steady turn on a long bend in a road , the steering loosens to the point that the pressure you are holding the car at going in the turn makes you go into oncoming traffic or to the opposite side towards the side of the road) and this is not a good situation to be in it's starting to happen more frequently now , before I thought it was a slippery spot or ice ,no it's on dry surfaces (road ways) the next thing is the power train, it seems to be a bumping sensation especially up a hill or grade it's getting more prominent (in transmission perhaps) I've been a mechanic for over 40+ years now retired so …
The vehicle was at a stoplight. Once the light turned green, the driver stepped on the gas. All of a sudden the car would not move, all the warning lights came on, and we could smell a burning smell. The car was towed to the dealership where it was purchased. They discovered a rubber hose leading to the transmission had somehow gotten cut and all the transmission fluid leaked out. This caused a total transmission failure according to the dealer. It must have happened almost instantaneously as there was no warning prior to this. This hose is clearly critical to the operation of the vehicle and safety of the occupants, yet is totally exposed to the underside of the car. If the failure occurred while the vehicle was moving, it could have been a serious safety issue. It seems like a simple steel braided hose or a metal tube should have been used on such a critical part.
Subaru is aware of a specific set of year/model/makes that start to make a sound coming from the drive shaft center bearing in cold weather. Unnatural wear occurs on the bearing but the only remedy is to replace the entire drive shaft which is a really costly repair for something that is a structural design issue. There is a service bulletin for it: [redacted] It seems unfair that this is a repair the customer should take on when a drive shaft should likely survive the lifetime of a vehicle. This should be a recall.
Rear wheel bearing premature wear. Originally installed wheel bearings were replaced, under warranty, at 44,137 miles. Same bearings then had to be replaced again at 62,486 miles. Both replacements were done by Beardmore Subaru in Nebraska. A failed wheel bearing at high speed could result in a catastrophic accident, and requiring replacement at these low mileage levels is indicative of poor design or substandard parts.
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
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.
Premature failure of wheel bearings. Both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced after only 54,192 miles. Technician indicated that replacements were upgraded "sealed" systems. At 73,712 miles the front driver's side wheel bearing was also replaced by the dealer after the same symptoms of excessive noise and poor mileage occurred. Concern is that high resistance in the failing bearings creates a lot of heat and could eventually cause catastrophic failure. In 40+ years of driving and owning cars with mileage accruals up to 229,000, this is the only one that ever required a wheel bearing replacement. This, and the technician's reference to upgraded bearings makes me believe that this is a manufacturing defect that should have been covered by a recall.
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!
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2021 Outback and Impreza vehicles. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) select lever cable nut may not have been tightened properly, allowing the nut to loosen.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, tighten the nut, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, May not engage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification January 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Impreza years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (59), 2009 (30), 2012 (26), 2002 (25) and 2013 (23) model years. Transmission complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Subaru Impreza transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 23V-754 (driveshaft, Nov 9, 2023); 23V-647 (driveshaft, Sep 21, 2023); 21V-024 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jan 26, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Impreza transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the clutch assembly (25 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (23).
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.