Common Subaru Impreza Failures
Believe it or not, the Subaru Impreza has a heritage that dates back to 1992. If that doesn’t make you feel old, realize that this vehicle is now in its fifth generation, making it a true stalwart of the Subaru lineup. . Like every car, it usually presents problems and breakdowns. Read on and discover common Subaru Impreza failures .
The 2020 Subaru Impreza is one of the best-selling compact cars on the market. The comfortable interior and easy-to-use controls create a pleasurable driving experience for owners of the new car. However, older Subaru Impreza car owners are finding themselves with various problems that are proving to be very expensive to fix.
How good is the Subaru Impreza?
With a wide variety of Imprezas available on the pre-owned market, it’s hard to go wrong with this quality car. Suitable for a small family or a couple, there is a choice of 4-speed automatic or 5- or 6-speed manual transmissions with engines ranging from the economical 1.5-litre H4 to the 2.5-litre turbo.
Common failures of the Subaru Impreza
The Impreza is a quality car that embodies the best of Japanese motorsport. It is a good buy that is available to satisfy almost everyone. However, like all cars, it is not immune to failure, so here are some of the main red flags to watch out for.
1- Sudden and involuntary acceleration
Although many complain that their Subaru Impreza loses power, one of the common 2012 Subaru Impreza failures is that the vehicle suddenly accelerates unintentionally. This usually happens around 40,500 miles, with consumers reporting expensive repair bills.
Drivers experience a loud revving sound and sudden acceleration when the accelerator pedal is tapped. This has caused numerous reported car accidents that have left the owner with significant damage to the vehicle.
2- Failures in the suspension
Due to problems with the brakes, the Impreza’s suspension may have sustained some form of damage over the years. Take the car out on some rougher roads and check the bounce factor and listen for a popping sound indicating a problem with the speed joints. If the car feels too jumpy, you will most likely need to replace the front suspension system .
When you drive over rough surfaces or speed bumps, you may hear a knocking noise coming from the suspension. This is an indication that the suspension arms are failing or that the anti-roll bar bushings are faulty. You will need to correctly identify which suspension parts are faulty. Next, you will have to install the replacement parts, which will fix the problem.
3- Engine problems in older Imprezas
The 2006, 2008, and 2012 models seem to bear the brunt of these costly issues. Excessive oil consumption is a big problem with older Impreza models, with consumers reporting burning a quart of oil every 1,200 miles.
It is necessary to replace piston rings, connecting rod bearings, and sometimes a complete engine rebuild to correct the problem . Blown head gaskets are also a very common problem, typically costing to repair. This is a well documented problem among Subaru owners.
4- Failure of the transmission in the Subaru Impreza
Transmission failure in the 2006 and 2007 Subaru Impreza has cost consumers a lot of money. According to frustrated owners, Subaru is aware of the problem and has refused to fix it. The response they offer is to accuse loyal customers of driving abusively, racing the car, or operating the vehicle ” beyond its designed capabilities .”
Consumers claim this is not true and that the Impreza’s transmission simply can’t handle the engine platform. The gear teeth appear to be coming apart, and Subaru claims this is only possible from owner abuse.
5- Clutch problems
This is another of the common failures of the Subaru Impreza. It is a well known fault in the Impreza with the gearbox system. Please check when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. If you have a creaking sensation along with a knocking sound, the most likely cause is the timing system.
6- Misfiring
There are usually ignition problems in the Subaru Impreza. On the second generation (2000 – 2007) version of the Impreza, the gearbox neutral position switch is known to fail. If this part fails, it can cause engine misfiring . You will need to install a replacement gearbox neutral position switch to resolve the issue.
7- Brake problems
Brakes are poorly specified on the Subaru Impreza . You must be aware of longer stopping distances and poor brake pedal response. Both of these factors mean that you may need to find a new brake kit for each side of the front of the car.
8- Failures in the timing belt
Another of the common failures of the Subaru Impreza has to do with problems in the timing belt. The timing belt needs to be replaced after 125,000 miles and any Subaru mechanic should have replaced the water pump and tensioner at the same time as well.
9- Accumulation of oil sludge
Turbocharged Imprezas are not forgiving of a missed oil change, and sludge and dirt build up in the filter as a result. Check the color of the oil, if it is full of dirt and debris it means the engine could be in a less than good state with all sorts of underlying problems caused by dirt getting into the supposedly friction free parts.
10- Faults in the oxygen sensor
Has the AYF warning light appeared on your car dashboard? If so, it means that you have a fault in the AYF sensor, also known as the oxygen sensor. You will need to replace the AYF (oxygen) sensor to fix this problem.
