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Mazda MAZDA3 vs Subaru Impreza: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2026, owners filed an average of 131 complaints per model year about the Mazda MAZDA3 and 90 about the Subaru Impreza.

Side by side

Mazda MAZDA3Subaru Impreza
Model years compared2006-20262006-2026
Owner complaints2,7521,889
Complaints per model year13190
Recalls2743
Years to avoid200820102008201220132019
Best years201720192021200620102011
Most common problemSteeringAirbags
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economyNo data29 mpg combined (2026)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 Mazda MAZDA3: 1662006 Subaru Impreza: 5620062007 Mazda MAZDA3: 2222007 Subaru Impreza: 682008 Mazda MAZDA3: 3032008 Subaru Impreza: 17620082009 Mazda MAZDA3: 1152009 Subaru Impreza: 1042010 Mazda MAZDA3: 6862010 Subaru Impreza: 4620102011 Mazda MAZDA3: 1322011 Subaru Impreza: 582012 Mazda MAZDA3: 2262012 Subaru Impreza: 24320122013 Mazda MAZDA3: 1172013 Subaru Impreza: 2512014 Mazda MAZDA3: 1382014 Subaru Impreza: 10920142015 Mazda MAZDA3: 1302015 Subaru Impreza: 772016 Mazda MAZDA3: 1042016 Subaru Impreza: 7520162017 Mazda MAZDA3: 842017 Subaru Impreza: 1252018 Mazda MAZDA3: 1102018 Subaru Impreza: 15220182019 Mazda MAZDA3: 742019 Subaru Impreza: 1942020 Mazda MAZDA3: 322020 Subaru Impreza: 8520202021 Mazda MAZDA3: 552021 Subaru Impreza: 142022 Mazda MAZDA3: 242022 Subaru Impreza: 1420222023 Mazda MAZDA3: 122023 Subaru Impreza: 42024 Mazda MAZDA3: 122024 Subaru Impreza: 3220242025 Mazda MAZDA3: 92025 Subaru Impreza: 52026 Mazda MAZDA3: 12026 Subaru Impreza: 12026
Mazda MAZDA3Subaru Impreza

Problems compared

MAZDA3Impreza
Steering35964
Electrical341213
Body27293
Engine257298
Brakes243150
Transmission222220
Airbags210379
Visibility201261
Lights149191

Questions about the Mazda MAZDA3 vs Subaru Impreza

Which is more reliable, the Mazda MAZDA3 or the Subaru Impreza?

Between 2006 and 2026, the Mazda MAZDA3 has 2 years to avoid and the Subaru Impreza 4. The Mazda MAZDA3 has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Impreza drew fewer complaints per model year (90 vs 131), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda MAZDA3 or the Subaru Impreza?

From 2006 to 2026, the Mazda MAZDA3 was covered by 27 recalls and the Subaru Impreza by 43.

What years of the Mazda MAZDA3 and Subaru Impreza should you avoid?

Mazda MAZDA3: 2008 and 2010. Subaru Impreza: 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2019.

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