Model year 2018 · Midsize Cars, Small Station Wagons
2018 Subaru Impreza: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2018 Subaru Impreza at 25–32 mpg combined across 8 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 152 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
5
EPA combined mpg
25–32
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2018 Subaru Impreza recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2018 Subaru Impreza, newest first.
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 22V624000Reported Aug 12, 2022
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRG-22)
Units affected
188,397 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRG-21)
Units affected
175,968 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRE-21)
Components
Electrical system: Software; Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Engine control module (ecu/ecm): Software; Electrical system: Ignition; Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Units affected
466,205 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Risk
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Emission control: Crankcase (pcv)
NHTSA 19V744000Reported Oct 17, 2019
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WUP-01)
Units affected
205,000 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2018 Subaru Impreza fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2018 Subaru Impreza crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2018 Subaru Impreza NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2018 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.5%
Optional
2018 Subaru Impreza SW AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.5%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2018 Subaru Impreza owner complaints
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Subaru Impreza, most recently on Oct 23, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2018 Subaru Impreza complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Exterior lighting
64
Visibility/wiper
34
Unknown or other
25
Electrical system
12
Engine
11
Power train
5
Structure: Body
5
Visibility: Windshield
5
Service brakes
3
Steering
3
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
