Decode a Subaru Impreza VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefixJF14S3
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Subaru Impreza
About the Subaru Impreza
Subaru has sold the Impreza in the US since the 1993 model year, and there have been six generations. The GC came first (1993–2001); GD (2002–2007), GE (2008–2011), GJ (2012–2016), GK (2017–2023) followed, and the GU took over for 2024–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 53 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,693 owner complaints. The 2002 has the most complaints of any model year (292). EPA rates the GC at 21–24 mpg combined, while the GU gets 29–30 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years1993–2026
GenerationsGC · GD · GE · GJ · GK · GU
NHTSA recall campaigns53
Owner complaints2,693 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Subaru Impreza generations
Six generations since the 1993 model year. The GJ (2012–2016) has the most owner complaints, the GE (2008–2011) the most recall campaigns (20).
NHTSA has 53 campaigns on file for Impreza model years 1993–2026, and the 2010 shows up in more of them than any other year (15), ahead of the 2008 (14). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2024
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Subaru Impreza owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Complaints peak with the 2002 (292 of 2,693). Tap any bar or generation.
2,693NHTSA complaints, 1993–2026
189mention a crash
46mention a fire
142injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGU: 38 complaints · most for the 2024 (32)
Fires come up in 2 GU complaints, or 5.3% against 1.7% for all Impreza model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Its first model year, the 2024, drew more complaints than any other (32 of 38). Owners across the generation name forward collision avoidance most often (8 mentions), then visibility (8).
Top complaint areas · GK
Mentions in 586 complaints, 2017–2023.
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)187
Exterior lighting161
Electrical system58
Engine and cooling39
Brakes26
Air bags22
Crashes 24Fires 9Injuries 17
2017–2023 (GK)
NHTSA data summary
Complaints peak with the 2019 (194 of 586). Owners across the generation name visibility most often (187 mentions), then exterior lighting (161).
Top complaint areas · GJ
Mentions in 754 complaints, 2012–2016.
Air bags279
Engine and cooling159
Electrical system115
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)83
Brakes50
Speed control / acceleration47
Crashes 51Fires 11Injuries 22
2012–2016 (GJ)
NHTSA data summary
Of the five GJ model years, the 2013 (249) and 2012 (243) drew the most complaints. Owners across the generation name air bags most often (279 mentions), then engine and cooling (159).
Top complaint areas · GE
Mentions in 425 complaints, 2008–2011.
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)112
Engine and cooling89
Air bags81
Structure and body52
Brakes52
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)40
Crashes 20Fires 10Injuries 17
2008–2011 (GE)
NHTSA data summary
By area, nothing stands out. Powertrain leads with 112, with engine and cooling (89) and the air bags (81) close behind. Complaints peak with the 2008, its first model year, at 209 of 425.
Top complaint areas · GD
Mentions in 649 complaints, 2002–2007.
Fuel system182
Suspension94
Brakes86
Air bags77
Engine and cooling63
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)57
Crashes 45Fires 9Injuries 39
2002–2007 (GD)
NHTSA data summary
The 2002 is the outlier. On its own it has 292 of the GD’s 649 complaints (45%), more than any other Impreza model year, and owners across the generation name fuel system most often (182 mentions), then suspension (94).
Top complaint areas · GC
Mentions in 241 complaints, 1993–2001.
Air bags54
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)40
Suspension36
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)28
Brakes27
Engine and cooling21
Crashes 45Fires 5Injuries 44
1993–2001 (GC)
NHTSA data summary
No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the GC’s, at 45 of 241 (18.7%, against 7.0% across all Impreza model years). Complaints peak with the 1995 (46 of 241). Owners across the generation name air bags most often (54 mentions), then powertrain (40).
What Impreza owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
2017–2023 (5th generation)
Windshield cracks are the most common complaint. On the 2019, NHTSA owners most often report windshields that crack with no clear cause and weak headlights, and CarComplaints ranks a windshield that cracked for no reason first for 2018, followed by a dead battery and noise over bumps. Recalls cover engine control software on 2017–2019 models that can short the ignition coil circuit and cause a stall, low pressure fuel pumps on 2018–2020 models that may fail and headlight reflectors on 2017–2019 models that may not reflect enough light. [1][2]
2012–2016 (4th generation)
Air bag and engine complaints stand out. On the 2013, many NHTSA owners describe the passenger air bag light showing off with an adult in the seat. CarComplaints ranks sudden unintended acceleration first for 2012, followed by improper shifting and brake failure. Recalls cover valve springs on 2012–2014 models that may break and cause the engine to stall, and brake light switches on some models that may fail. [3][4]
✓
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the valve spring recall on 2012–2014 models and the engine software and fuel pump recalls on 2017–2020 models.
Check the windshield closely for cracks or chips and test the headlights at night.
With an adult in the passenger seat, confirm the passenger air bag light does not read off, and on the drive watch for stalling.
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Owner opinions · Reddit
What Subaru Impreza owners say on Reddit
Summarized from public threads
Subaru Impreza owners on Reddit describe a tough AWD compact that many keep past 130,000 miles when they change oil often. Fourth gen cars from 2012 to 2016 are known for burning oil, and several owners just keep a quart in the trunk. Newer FB engines draw fewer head gasket worries, though cam carrier leaks still come up. The CVT is the other big topic, with some failures at mid mileage and others past 180,000 miles when fluid is serviced on time.
Pros
AWD and snow manners keep owners loyal
Many cars pass 130,000 to 200,000 miles with frequent oil changes
Newer FB engines largely free of the old head gasket curse
Cons
Oil burning on many 2012 to 2016 cars
CVT failures or valve body issues on some examples
Cam carrier leaks and wheel bearings at higher mileage
Cabin rattles, TPMS and other small electrical annoyances
EPA lists 240 Impreza versions for model years 1993–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 280 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
GC1993–2001
21–24 mpg · CO₂ 370–423 g/mi
GD2002–2007
18–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–494 g/mi
GE2008–2011
19–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–468 g/mi
GJ2012–2016
19–31 mpg · CO₂ 288–468 g/mi
GK2017–2023
25–32 mpg · CO₂ 280–351 g/mi
GU2024–2026
29–30 mpg · CO₂ 297–311 g/mi
2025
30combined MPG
297CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,250EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Impreza · Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 30 MPG · 297 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
Gas
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Impreza vs Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2012–2016. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the Impreza, against 7 for the Toyota Corolla and 16 for the Volkswagen Jetta. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Subaru Impreza VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on an Impreza
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Cutlass, CC0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
The Impreza's VIN plate is at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a trunk lid label are the standard secondary locations. The GU generation starts with the 2024 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (R for 2024) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Subaru Impreza VIN questions
Which Subaru Impreza model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2002 leads with 292, ahead of the 2013 (249) and 2012 (243). Those first two alone make up 20% of the 2,693 Impreza complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Subaru Impreza had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 53 vehicle campaigns for model years 1993–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, GE leads with 20. Then come the GD (18), GK (14), GJ (7), GC (2) and GU (2), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Subaru Impreza recalls are high risk?
15V-323, 16V-358, 16V-359, 17V-014, 17V-016 and 17V-026 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 20V-001, 20V-002, 20V-003, 23V-076, 18V-012, 18V-013, 18V-014, 19V-007 and 2 more cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 93V-072, 09V-468, 04V-473, 07V-043, 08V-460 and 16V-738. Do-not-drive advisories came with 21V-675. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Impreza generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the GC is 1993–2001 and the GD 2002–2007. GE spans 2008–2011, GJ 2012–2016, GK 2017–2023 and GU 2024–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (R is 2024).
What fuel economy does the Subaru Impreza get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2024–2026 GU at 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 21–24 mpg for the 1993–2001 GC (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Subaru Impreza compare with the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta on recalls?
For 2024–2026 models the Impreza has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Corolla has 4, the Volkswagen Jetta 2. Complaints run 38, 115 and 79 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Impreza 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.
