2012 Subaru Impreza Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 242 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Subaru Impreza overview page.
What owners report
“MY SON'S 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA, WAS BOUGHT USED, WITH 59,000. MILES, WITH HOPE OF OWNING A RELIABLE, SAFE VEHICLE ON 2/11/16. ON 6/26/16 HE WENT…”NHTSA complaint 10903535 — filed 09/04/2016
“GAS PEDAL IS ULTRASENSITIVE LEADING TO SURGING AT LOW SPEED. HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOT. DEALER SAYS THIS IS…”NHTSA complaint 10604984 — filed 06/21/2014
“I BACKED UP IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND I NOTICED A LAG TIME OF ABOUT 2 SECONDS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE…”NHTSA complaint 10489451 — filed 12/21/2012
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Subaru Impreza: 26 of 242 complaints on file (10.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Subaru Impreza have in total?
242 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
