2011 Subaru Impreza: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2011 Subaru Impreza
On the 2011 Subaru Impreza, the failure owners report most often is airbag inflator rupture, with 11 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 32,500 miles. Overall it scores 75 out of 100, high risk for a 2011.
High risk for a 2011 — 50th riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. 75 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 30 named failure modes on the 2011 Subaru Impreza, and the three most-reported carry 31% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Airbag inflator rupture leads with 11 reports and about 0.2 per 1,000 vehicles.
Manual clutch or hydraulics failure follows with 7 reports, median 30,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 5 reports, median 80,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.
By system, the reports fall mostly into airbag (17), transmission (8) and engine (6).
At what mileage it happens
47 of the reports on the 2011 Subaru Impreza came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 32,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 72% by 50,000 miles and 98% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 19% of the dated reports.
57% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 30. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 5 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 4 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.12, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0, manual clutch or hydraulics failure at $900–$2,800, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000 and airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault at $300–$1,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
20% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 11 | 1 | — | 55k | — | 0.2 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Manual clutch or hydraulics failure | transmission | 7 | 7 | — | 32k | — | 0.1 | $900–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 5 | 4 | — | 81k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 3 | 3 | — | 11k | — | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 3 | 2 | — | 28k | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 3 | 2 | — | 39k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 3 | — | 50k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 8k | — | 0.0 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 57k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 2 | 1 | — | 4k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 7k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 100 | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 2 | 1 | — | 45k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 2 | 2 | — | 25k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 2 | — | 68k | — | 0.0 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 26k | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Piston, ring or cylinder wall damage | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$9,500 | Critical |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 93k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 1 | — | 40k | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.0 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 32k | — | 0.0 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 26k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 24k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 5 | 2 | — | 57k | — | 0.1 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2011 Subaru Impreza draws about 1.4 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 80th percentile of complaint rates among 2011 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 54,313 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2011 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Airbag inflator rupture
Takata recall - recall status: recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available this is completely ridiculous, looks like I am putting myself and anyone in my car in harms way if I drive this car. What can I do ? What should I do ?
Manual clutch or hydraulics failure
The clutch pedal on my 2011 sti makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. This has also directly caused the failure of three clutch master cylinders in the last 6 months. 2 of which failed at freeway speeds leaving me with no clutch, and a hardly any braking capability. (the clutch and brake pedal are both attached to the same assembly, thus when the clutch does not work, neither do the brakes. Reference links: subaru impreza general service brakes…
The clutch pedal on my 2011 sti makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. This has also directly caused the failure of three clutch master cylinders in the last 6 months. 2 of which failed at freeway speeds leaving me with no clutch, and a hardly any braking capability. (the clutch and brake pedal are both attached to the same assembly, thus when the clutch does not work, neither do the brakes. Reference links: subaru impreza general service brakes…
Other electrical problem
I receive my new swp sti with 7 miles on the odometer. Right of the bat not a great taste in my mouth. Didn't get a great deal, finance room had some shady stuff going on. Whatever though, I have my new sti I'm happy enough! Around 500 miles my car, I'm on the freeway in the left lane going about 75 and the throttle vanishes. The car goes in to failsafe mode and won't go faster than 40 miles an hour, in houston, in the left lane, with no shoulder. I'm terrified, but I manage to limp it to a parking lot. They call me later in the work day to tell me it was a throttle relay or something and they've fixed it. They want to drive it 30 miles (!!!!!!!!!!!!) to make sure it's fixed. I, of course say no, and that I would like to drive my new car not some random stranger all the time. Driving on the beltway 2 days later, the same [xxx] thing happens again. Losing 35 MPH of speed. *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru impreza. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Recalls on the 2011 model year
NHTSA has issued 14 recall campaigns covering the 2011 Subaru Impreza, affecting an estimated 137,873 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module and electrical system:ignition:switch. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
258,813 vehicles 2020-01-02- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
127,547 vehicles 2020-01-02- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
111,562 vehicles 2020-01-02- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
511 vehicles 2019-04-11- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- Consequence
- The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
1,303,530 vehicles 2019-02-28- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
- Consequence
- Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
43,394 vehicles 2019-01-09- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a…
- Consequence
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
452,630 vehicles 2019-01-09- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or…
- Consequence
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
330,120 vehicles 2019-01-09- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as…
- Consequence
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
64,179 vehicles 2018-01-09- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a…
- Consequence
- An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
53,480 vehicles 2017-01-10- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and…
- Consequence
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
100,127 vehicles 2016-10-13- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- Consequence
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
302,127 vehicles 2016-05-25- Defect
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag…
- Consequence
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2011 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2011 — 50th riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.
Across the 27 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2015 comes out best at 65 and 2021 worst at 84, with 2011 itself at 75.
If the model year is negotiable, 2015, 2003, 2016, 2002, 2005, 2014, 1996, 2010, 2013, 2019, 2008, 2022, 2004, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2018 score lower than 2011 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2008–2011 generation specifically, 2010 is the strongest year at 70 and 2011 the weakest at 75.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2008-2011 generation, 2010 Subaru Impreza scores best at 70 and 2011 Subaru Impreza worst at 75.
The limits of complaint data
75 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 75 reports, 47 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 63% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported failures are airbag inflator rupture (11 reports, median 55,000 miles), manual clutch or hydraulics failure (7 reports, median 30,000 miles) and other electrical problem (5 reports, median 80,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2011 Subaru Impreza reliable?
It scores 75 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 50th riskiest of the 283 2011 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2011 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Subaru Impreza is best?
Within the 2008–2011 generation, 2010 scores best at 70 out of 100 and 2011 worst at 75. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed