How soon are you looking to buy a Subaru Impreza?

Within a week

Within a month

Within 90 days

*This will help us personalize your experience.

Great News: We found some top-ranked Subaru Imprezas near you

Which Years Of Used Subaru Imprezas Are Most Reliable?

in Reliability
Red Subaru Impreza

Source: Pixabay

Subaru Imprezas are compact cars with an impressive thirty-year legacy. They take on all the attributes of Subaru by being rugged, efficient, and overall reliable. If you’re interested in a used version of this vehicle, there are many things to consider. One of the most important involves determining the most reliable Subaru Impreza year. Which should you purchase? 

If you’re interested in a used option for your Subaru Impreza, you should try to get the most for your money. The best way to spend well is to invest in the most reliable Subaru Impreza year. Let’s examine the most reliable years, the general reliability of the Subaru Impreza model, the least reliable years, and everything else you should know about this vehicle.


THE SUBARU IMPREZA YEARS TO AVOID

Some model years are more reliable than others, like all vehicles. Here are the Subaru Impreza years to avoid


Most Reliable Years For The Impreza

The Subaru Impreza has been on the market since 1992, boasting an incredible lifespan of thirty years. With so many available models, it’s tricky to pick the right selection for your needs. Is it best to go with an old one or a new one? Luckily, we’ve narrowed down the most reliable years for you.

Here are the most reliable Subaru Impreza year selections:

  • 2011 Subaru Impreza
  • 2017 Subaru Impreza

These will serve you the best and cost the least in repairs as time goes on.

There are still issues with these years, but they are excellent drives. They boast comfortable seats, quality safety features, and excellent reliability for the driver. You will experience excellent performance without the worry of the car breaking down on you every time you sit behind the wheel.

Although there are two excellent and reliable years for Impreza, their success doesn’t speak for the Impreza model as a whole. Let’s dive into the reliability of the Impreza overall to determine how its reliability stacks up against other cars.

Are Subaru Imprezas Generally Reliable?

Unfortunately, the Subaru Impreza as a whole is not a reliable model. According to withclutch.com, the Subaru Impreza scores 49.45 in reliability, which lands it in the not-very-reliable category. It has the second-lowest score in the Subaru group, only ahead of the Subaru Tribeca.

Let’s examine a second opinion to ensure the Impreza is bad. According to repairpal.com, the Subaru Impreza scores 3.55, putting it below average for other compact cars. It ranks 33rd out of 36 for compact vehicles.

The annual repair cost of a Subaru Impreza is $653, which is about average for this type of vehicle. If there are any unexpected repairs, there is a 17% chance it will be severe. This number is at least 5% higher than the average for this vehicle type.

Drivers of the Subaru Impreza can expect to take them to the shop about .3 times a year for unexpected repairs, which is average for compact vehicles. However, it’s critical to remember there is a high chance it will be a severe repair.


BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 


Which Impreza Years Are The Least Reliable?

If you choose to purchase a used Subaru Impreza, it’s vital to get the most bang for your buck. One of the best ways to do that is to stay away from the least reliable years of the Impreza to avoid paying additional costs for severe repairs.

Here are the least reliable years for the Subaru Impreza:

  • 2006 Subaru Impreza
  • 2008 Subaru Impreza
  • 2010 Subaru Impreza
  • 2012 Subaru Impreza
  • 2013 Subaru Impreza

If you’re searching for the most reliable Subaru Impreza year, stay away from these years if possible.

Many of these years have recalls on items like the transmission system, windshields, and more. There are excessive complaints and an unfortunate number of incidents where Subaru did not assist with the dangers created by the poorly constructed Subaru Impreza. Keep away from these at all costs.

No matter which Subaru Impreza you invest in, there are sure to be issues. It’s helpful to be familiar with the most common customer complaints, so let’s go over them.


HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR BRAKES?

Unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car. How long do they typically last?​ How often should you replace your brakes​? We’ve got answers


What Are The Most Common Issues With A Subaru Impreza?

We mentioned the two most reliable years for the Subaru Impreza, but there are still common issues across the board for this vehicle. Let’s talk about them to prepare yourself if you choose to purchase this car.

According to motorandwheels.com, here are the most common issues with the Subaru Impreza:

  • Rear oil leak
  • Black smoke from the exhaust
  • Rodent attraction to soy-based coating on wires
  • Unresponsive infotainment system
  • Windshield prone to cracking
  • Poor control
  • Sloppy handling

These will take a chunk of change from your pocket and time from your day.

Most years of the Subaru Impreza experience significant troubles. However, the worst years are the most likely to experience these.

We’ve covered all the basics for the Subaru Impreza’s reliability. Now - is it worth it?

Is The Subaru Impreza Worth It?

Although it might seem tempting thanks to the price, the Subaru Impreza is not worth the money. It has too many issues with reliability to be worth it, and there are too few quality used selections available.

If you’re interested in a used compact car, there are many other choices. Go for the Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla hatchback for a similar style with more reliable and practical construction.

Subaru has a few quality choices, and this one is okay. However, you’re better off spending your money elsewhere. 


THE BEST CARS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Whether you’re squeezing into a tight campus parking spot or hauling ten loads of laundry back home, these best cars for college students will get you, your friends, and your stuff where you’re going.


Final Thoughts

The Subaru Impreza is a vehicle with a thirty-year legacy. Although most years aren’t very reliable, a few stand out from the rest. If you want the most bang for your buck, purchase the 2011 or 2017 years. Otherwise, stay away. The Impreza overall is not worth the money when there are other choices.

We hope this information was helpful! If you’re purchasing a used vehicle, it’s critical to examine reliability. If you pick a used model with poor reliability, it might cost as much as if you invested in a brand-new version. Take your time when selecting the ideal Subaru Impreza for your needs.



Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.