general problems of the 2013 Subaru Impreza

In the morning of 7-11-2024, I started the engine to go to work as usual. I found the engine light on and noticed strange symptoms from the hood, such as unusual loud noise. Thereafter, I lifted the hood and confirmed loud noise coming from somewhere. Then, I immediately shut down the engine (no key in ignition), but still, the secondary air pump kept running. I thought it may be blowing up, so I immediately disconnected the battery. I touched the pump and almost burnt my hand. I did do this immediate action because I have some experience/knowledge on car maintenance, but I feel terrible if this happened to someone else, such as young drivers. Then, I googled for the similar symptoms, and found something matching my symptoms in the recall notification letter (NHTSA recall no. 16v738), in which the relay in fuse box can cause the issue. The letter appeared to be revised in 7-11-17, and it was supposed to be sent to me, but I did not receive this important letter at all. I think that this letter should be re-sent to all the owners again to avoid possible terrible incidents related to overheating of the secondary air pump.

During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.

Key will not remove from the ignition. This is a known issue by Subaru but they refuse to correct it.

The wires that connect to the climate control have started an electrical fire and burned out my climate control twice. Upon reporting this to Subaru they advised the climate control randomly not working is a very common problem as it can melt due to high heat outside (90-100+ temperature). Now upon replacing the climate control unit, the wire connected was burned as there was an active electrical fire that was the cause of the climate control not working because it could not connect to the wire pack properly due to the fire. Fire started and went out on its own but without my knowledge as it’s internal behind the radio portion of the car. I would not have known about the fire unless I replaced the part, which is what I did.

Ignition key can not always be removed. If I turn the ignition back on it will usually release the key.

Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or ignition until it decides to work. When my vehicle is stolen, will Subaru replace it? this is a problem for which Subaru should beheld responsible.

Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same system.

Check engine/break/abs/traction control/ cruise control and at oil temp lights are all on. Now my back break lights are not working! car jerks at times. Read on a few forms that this was an issue for Subaru Imprezas 2012 and up. There was also a recall on this issue on April 2019. Please have this recalled again.

Malfunction with my dashboard lights. Abs/ at oil temp/tracktion control/ hill light and cruise control gage. Are all on car seems to run somewhat alright until car jerks then all of the mentioned issues comes on.

Key gets stuck in ignition and cannot be removed when in park. This is a know issue and documented in service bulletin 16-112-18r.

Passenger air bag red dash light remains on weather in motion or stationary with a passenger or without. Amber air bag center dash light remains "off" in motion or sationary with or without a passenger in the seat. Turning the car on or off does not change the issue. Car has 112,000 miles.

Periodically the "passenger air bag off" sign illuminates even though someone is in the passenger seat. I bought the car from enterprise rental several years ago and brought to their attention. Somehow their mechanic got light to go off. Problem has persisted but didn't pay much attention until now. My daughter will be driving the car. Do not trust the airbag or seat sensor. On passenger side.

My passenger airbag sensor never turns on. Even if I have a passenger in the seat, the light still remains off. I know that the 2012 models used the same occupancy sensor as the 2013 Impreza but the 2013 models haven't been recalled. This doesn't make any sense because they're the same exact models so they should also be recalled so they can be fixed. The seat has never been wet and I haven't been in any accidents, so this is a faulty occupancy sensor. I don't know why I shoul dhave to pay $1500 for a faulty sensor.

The passenger's seat OCS malfunctions with terrifying frequency. The car will be in motion with the passenger's seat occupied and the airbag light will illuminate on the dashboard. Once again while the car is in motion. I have seen many posts detailing the same experience. Subaru has recalled other cars for this problem. My 2013 Impreza needs to be included as well.

Tail lights don't turn on , first time the whole electrical harness was burned out , dealer changed the whole thing , this is second time tail lighting is completely off when the switch is on , I am afraid it will burn out the whole harness again !.

When car is put into park the key cannon be removed from the ignition. It's an ongoing intermittent problem. This is a defect in design and Subaru should pay for all repairs. This has happened about 20 times now. Car cannot be trusted.

Subaru service bulletin 16-112-18r key stuck in ignition. Have to keep putting transmission into park in order to get key out. Known issue but no recall.

Lights continue to burn out (main headlights, brake lights) with frequency (every 6 months). Moreover, once one burns out, the second light tends to burn out the next day. Have replaced the headlights 5 times in the past two years, even buying high quality replacement bulbs.

The wire harness for the blower motor switch melted and created a dangerous fire hazard. The wire harness and blower motor switch has to be replaced due to the condition. They now have to replace the whole wire harness.

Air bag is disabled when moisture or humidity is present on the passenger seat. Specifically the airbag red light illuminates and the amber passenger side air bag off light illuminates. This is a problem that presented itself soon after purchase. It has happened while stationary & while driving. It has been triggered by both humidity in the air & perspiration by the passenger. I believe the problem has to do with moisture compromising the passenger seat switch. The incident has happened many times. Most recently I had left the rear window open it was humid but there was no rain, when I went to work in the morning the red airbag light was on. The problem may be getting worse over time, in the past a towel or trash bag would prevent it but no, as mentioned it is being triggered by humid air. I videoed one example and have attempted to include it but it is too large I would be glad to email it if you are interested, my daughter is in the front seat, the airbag light is on and the passenger side airbag indicator shows off. The video was taken on sept 30th 2014, the vehicle had 35,212 miles on it at the time.

The wire harness for the blower motor switch melted and created a dangerous fire hazard. The wire harness and blower motor switch has to be replaced due to the condition.

Recall in other Impreza in same year model, but not mine specifically. Same issue occurs with airbag occupancy sensor in passenger seat. Airbag light comes on with any amount of weight in passenger seat, airbag however does not turn on. Stays off with passenger in seat. This was recalled in many other 2012-2014 Impreza. Subaru confirmed that passenger occupancy in my Impreza is same part as occupany sensor recalled in other Impreza. I was sold this car by an authorized dealer with this issue (not the company listed on the receipts provided). Had to pay to get it fixed for inspection. Have to replace seat bottom, almost $700 for seat alone. This is dangerous and unfair. Subaru acknowledged the problem by giving me $500 goodwill repair certificate, but not full price of repair even though this has been recalled in many other vehicles.

Warning lamps for stability control air bag randomly light up on my dash board panel. The passenger air bag will also switch to off even when a passer is sitting in the seat or the passenger seat belt warning sound will go off if a small object is placed on the seat. My mechanic can't find the issue as I cannot recreate the circumstances that cause the lamps to switch on or the warning siren to chime. Computer readings do not return any "codes" if the lamps aren't on.

Seat occupancy sensor does not register adult human male, gets tripped if cell phon e is in proximity to the passenger in the front passenger seat. Front airbag is therefore off and will not go off in case of accident. This occurs if the front passenger has a laptop or cellphone. Upon inspection by dealership I was told that the sensor is broken but due to water damage which has not happened - if a damp user is enough to cause damage to sensor I believe Subaru is purposefully releasing poorly designed and engineered parts. This issues first appeared in 2017 and was intermittent and is not occurring every time a passenger rides with me.

The passenger seat sensor that controls airbag is faulty. Sometimes with a passenger in the seat, the airbag light will go on indicating that the airbag is disabled even though passenger is in seat and belted. This can always be reset by turning igniotion off and on again. Also sensor incorrectly thinks there is a passenger in the seat even when very light packages or groceries are on the seat weighing 2-12 pounds. I've called Subaru and they claim sensor is set to 27 punds or more, which is clearly not working here. Subaru will not fix this under warranty so I think NHTSA should look at all the similar complaints here and investigate.

My car is having the same exact behavior described in a recall for the 2012 model year (NHTSA campaign number 15v419000, Subaru recall number wqt-55). My car is not covered by the recall, but it seems like it should be since my problem appears to be identical to that which is described.