repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 Subaru ImprezaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 58 owner complaints about the 2011 Subaru Impreza, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 14 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Subaru Impreza has problems
58 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
17Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
9Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
6Fuel/propulsion system2 crash/fire/injury
6Power train
5Service brakes
4Visibility/wiper
4Visibility
3Engine
3Engine and engine cooling
149 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 17 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 2 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 14 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
14 recalls
2011 Subaru Impreza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Ignition: switch
Risk. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
Show 10 more recalls
repaired · 2020 Q3
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Impreza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza median. How we score
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Subaru Impreza safety ratings
2011 Subaru Impreza SW AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Impreza owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TAKATA RECALL, BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILURE. WE LIVE IN A SMALL ALASKAN BUSH TOWN CALLED DILLINGHAM THAT'S NOT ON THE ROAD SYSTEM. WE (MYSELF AND AROUND 30+ OTHER RESIDENTS) HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SUBARU TO SEND A TECHNICIAN OUT FOR 2 YEARS NOW TO FIX OUR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. JUST TODAY WE RECEIVED A…
TAKATA RECALL: PER THE NOTIFICATION I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL, I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE NECESSARY WORK PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS FARRISH SUBARU IN FAIRFAX, VA. I SCHEDULED MY APPOINTMENT LAST NIGHT FOR MARCH 25. I RECEIVED TWO EMAILS TODAY…
WEARING MY SEAT BELT, I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL GOING 50 MPH AND REAR ENDED AN SUV IN FRONT OF ME AND SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BOTH FRONT TIRES BUSTED, HOOD SMASHED IN, BOTH HEAD LIGHT BROKEN OUT, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID CONTAINER COMPLETELY ON GROUND, MOTOR PUSHED BACK INTO THE…
Own a 2011 Impreza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.