- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
- The risk
- The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Electrical system
2011 Subaru Impreza Electrical problems
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Impreza's electrical system with NHTSA - 16% of all its complaints, most recently on January 30, 2026. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Electrical recalls for the 2011 Subaru Impreza
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- The risk
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Electrical complaints
Smoke starting coming from around the ignition.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V738000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Battery won't hold a charge, randomly leaves driver stranded
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 recall for our brake lamp switch. We cannot simply 'go to a dealer's as there is none. We'd have to send our car as freight to anchorage (which costs thousands and can take upwards of a month) and most of the town...
Read the full complaint
cannot afford to do so. We even have a facebook group of people who need recalled cars fixed from subaru, honda and toyota. We've been calling and writing for 2 years and nothing has ever been done. We're just told that 'theyll send someone out'. Someone shouldn't have to be killed by a defective airbag or in an accident just to get these issues fixed.
Received a recall regarding brake light switch but dealership (subaru wakefield) has said that they do not have parts and have no plans. I've asked for a replacement vehicle until this safety issue can be addressed and I was denied. I want my car repaired or replaced with a loaner.
Within 10 minutes of starting the vehicle activating the seat heater associated to the driver seat a burning smell began to become apparent in the passenger cabin. Eventually the smell developed into pain in the legs and there was a hole burned into the driver seat. The seat heater was still operating at full capacity and supplying energy to the system as it was igniting the driver seat. This event occured on 140th in renton, washington. The vehicle was on the roadway traveling with traffic when it occured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru impreza. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Purchased vehicle brand new no 9, 2011. With is a few weeks, several of the dashboard lights came on (check engine, traction control, flashing cruise control) rendering the cruise control and the traction control disabled. Called dealer and they told me to bring vehicle in. When I brought vehicle in the first time, the lights were off and they informed me there was nothing they could do without the lights being one. Within a few weeks the lights came back on and remained on. Brought vehicle for oil change and...
Read the full complaint
to have codes pulled jan 12. Was told they couldn't confirm what the issue was. Reset lights and told me to bring it back if the lights came on, and leave it for a few days so they could figure it out. Lights came on with in a few weeks and remained on. Brought it in saturday march 17 - all lights were on. Was informed there was a possible consumption issue as my oil was at least 2 quarts low. Left car there and left in rental car. On tuesday march 20, service manager calls me and tells me 'subaru has determined there is no cause and thus no resolution to the issue' and that I should pick up the vehicle and begin documenting when the lights come on again. This is absolutely unacceptable. To inform a consumer there is no solution to a mechanical issue is deplorable. If my car is burning oil at an abnormally fast rate, continuing to drive the vehicle is not only potentially harmful to myself, but to my engine and vehicle. The car was brand new, and this issue has presented for several months, beginning only weeks after it was purchased. *Tr
I receive my new swp sti with 7 miles on the odometer. Right of the bat not a great taste in my mouth. Didn't get a great deal, finance room had some shady stuff going on. Whatever though, I have my new sti I'm happy enough! Around 500 miles my car, I'm on the freeway in the left lane going about 75 and the throttle vanishes. The car goes in to failsafe mode and won't go faster than 40 miles an hour, in houston, in the left lane, with no shoulder. I'm terrified, but I manage to limp it to a parking lot. They...
Read the full complaint
call me later in the work day to tell me it was a throttle relay or something and they've fixed it. They want to drive it 30 miles (!!!!!!!!!!!!) To make sure it's fixed. I, of course say no, and that I would like to drive my new car not some random stranger all the time. Driving on the beltway 2 days later, the same [[redacted]] thing happens again. Losing 35 mph of speed. *Tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
Subaru Impreza electrical complaints by year
Impreza electrical problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data