general problems of the 2012 Subaru Impreza

11 problems related to service brakes have been reported for the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Subaru Impreza based on all problems reported for the 2012 Impreza.

1 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2025

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the control arms and brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v311000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

2 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2025

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was driven with manual steering. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that approximately four days after the first failure, the steering wheel failed to move. Additionally, the vehicle was losing oil and one quart of oil had to be added every month. The contact stated that the power steering, abs, tpms, transmission automatic transmission fluid (atf), and 4-wd failure warning lights were illuminated. The passenger occupant sensor chimed for the passenger to secure the seat belt consistently even though the occupant was seated with the seat belt buckled securely. The contact who is a certified mechanic had replaced the rack and pinion. The contact noticed that the threads on the tie rods were close in proximately risking the chance of damaging the tie rods. The abs module had been replaced. The contact believed that the engine needed to be replaced but the engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,964.

3 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2023

Brake lamp switch failed in 2018 - we diagnosed the issue, based partly on information from other Subaru owners who had the same problem, and replaced the switch. Since that time, the brake lights have worked fine. We reported this in a letter to Subaru after their recall for the brake lamp switch replacement in 2019. They refused to pay for the part as we no longer have the receipt (not having a crystal ball, we couldn't see any reason to keep it for more than a year in 2018). We did not contest this - in fact, I had merely asked, in my letter, that they note that the part had already failed and been repaired in their records - however, they continue to flag the car as an open safety recall and insist that we bring the car in to replace a switch that no longer needs replacing. I am filing this complaint in the hope that an official record of the incident will fix the records on our car, as their constant recall notices are becoming increasingly more insistent and annoying, and they have also inaccurately noted it as an open recall at the dmv.

4 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2023

While driving, I suddenly lost braking ability and the brake pedal would go to the floor before slowing the car. I drove slowly approximately 1-2 miles, using the emergency brake and downshifting to control my speed, stopping at a local auto repair garage. On inspection, on the brake lines had rusted through completely and the other was soft, leaking brake fluid.

5 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 11/11/2020

When depressing the clutch pedal, there is a squeak coming from under the dashboard within the footwell area. Squeak is constant. For Subaru has issued a service bulletin #12-190-15r to fix the clutch & brake pedal assembly for model years 2015-2016 but not before. It is my understanding that a crack in the assembly is causing this issue and if left unattended, ultimately could cause decreased or complete failure of the clutch and/or brake functionality. Subaru has redesigned the original part (#36004fg050) with a new one (#36004fg051) but has not offered to fix under an extended warranty. I feel this should be a lifetime part, which is critical to safely operating the vehicle, and any replacement cost to fix should be paid for by the manufacturer regardless of the vehicle's age. The attached picture is not from my car. I was able to find many of these photos on the internet as this is a very common problem.

6 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 10/05/2018

Tl the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the part within a reasonable timeframe for NHTSA campaign numbers: 18v772000 (engine and engine cooling) and 19v149000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was contacted and provided a case number. The parts were not available and the contact had been waiting for months for the parts to arrive. In addition, the contact had to pump or apply excessive force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. Kearny mesa Subaru (4797 convoy st, san diego, CA 92111, (858) 278-7100) was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

7 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 07/31/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 10 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. As a result, the contact crashed into a metal power box and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000. Oo.

8 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2014

Addendum to 12/30/13 complaint: in addition to the previously outlined problems: 1. Car is now loosing oil. At 26,500 miles the low oil level light came on. Checked oil level and revealed car had lost approx 1. 5-2 qt since last regularly scheduled oil change. 2. Brakes squeal when you first compress the pedal. I had the brakes inspected and was told nothing was wrong with them or the brake pad. I do not think this is normal to occur every time you touch the brakes unless something is wrong. Brakes did not start making noise until 25,000 miles. * confidence this car is trustworthy. Seriously worried about its reliability/ cost to repair after warranty expires. **.

9 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2013

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. While driving on an icy road at approximately 30 mph, the brakes were engaged and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle and the frontal air bags failed to deploy. It was unknown if any injuries were sustained or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound yard and then to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

10 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 01/28/2013

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and abnormally traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle continued to accelerate until constant pressure was applied to the brakes. The failure recurred three times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11v562000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

11 Service Brakes problem

Failure Date: 12/09/2011

Took delivery of vehicle that had recall wvy-35 completed pre-delivery. After approximately 45 miles of driving (65 total odometer miles), braking force dropped to near zero. Inspection revealed significant loss of brake fluid. Problem first manifested with slowly sinking brake pedal at stops, with braking still effective, but quickly developed to the point that the brake pedal would go fully to the floor with severely reduced brake force.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2012 Subaru Impreza


Safety Ratings of Impreza Cars
Fuel Economy of Impreza Vehicles
Impreza Service Bulletins
Impreza Safety Recalls
Impreza Defect Investigations