Subaru Impreza knocking problems

Filed May 27, 2025 · Engine · CA

I was driving in my car had lost of power n started to make a noise n ALLL that so eather valve spring broke then messed up rod bearings n now to the point I can't drive my vehicle is like to know what to do next

Filed Jan 3, 2024 · Engine · IL

Knocking sound in engine confirmed by dealership service center to be a spark knock in the engine. No fix available and the service center stated "is a common problem in Impreza."

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Engine · WA

All of a sudden, with no reason whatsoever, my daughter's car has "rod knock" with less than 100,000 miles on it. Bought this Subaru for my daughter so she would have a car that would last a long time and she would be safe. Maintenance was kept up at our local mechanic religiously. I am saddened and disappointed in the mechanical performance of this vehicle. Started with lights going out early in ownership when it was new, and now this. I have a Subaru Impreza as well and am strongly considering trading it in for a Honda. I have family that works for Subaru and I wanted to support family and bought 2 Impreza's based on belief that your brand was highly regarded for longevity and safety. Engine's in vehicles should last more than 100k miles, regardless of the manufacturer. This should be a recall based on internet research. My ask is that Subaru stands up to its marketing and its product and takes care of this repair at no cost.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Transmission · MD

I was driving on the highway when I experienced a sudden jerking and my car stopped accelerating while going about 67 miles an hour and came to a stop on the highway. It was dark outside and I was left in the road without the ability to turn my car back on. I towed the car to the dealership, and they couldn't diagnose a problem. The same thing happened two weeks later and they told me that because the car was less than a quarter-tank both times, that I shouldn't drive my car with less than a quarter tank of gas or I'd be at risk of this happening again. Being on the highway with cars rushing past in the dark several times put my safety at risk and the safety of other drivers. I later experienced knocking/jerking around 10 miles an hour, that led to a suspected problem with the transmission. The car would also hesitate accelerating when stopped, and would experience the same jerking motion with a thud at the same time. I brought the car in again, and they couldn't diagnose the problem, but recommended a service that may fix the issue. I experienced the same issue so I brought the car back in. They replicated the issue and did work under warranty to replace the torque converter. I experienced the same problem and brought the car back in, but they can't diagnose the issue now. I believe my car transmission is still faulty and puts me at risk of stalling while driving at highway speeds, which could very easily put me and others at risk. I had to bring my car in several times for them to acknowledge a problem, and have been put into the same car which i believe is unsafe each time. When the car stalled on the highway there were blinking warning lights, but there was no diagnosis at the dealership. The car is currently at the dealership and they want me to drive it for them to show them the problem again with jerking/knocking. I'm getting all my invoices together to have more documentation, and will have more by the end of the day.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Engine · CA

There is a known rod bearing failure issue for the years 2012 - 2017. They automatically extended the warranty to 10 year 100k miles. My car was bought from the Subaru Dealership in Santa Clara California in 2018 (certified pre owned) with 69,000 miles on it They failed to disclose this information - and that there was a class action lawsuit regarding these engines in 2016. (two years before my purchase) This class action settlement has since "expired" or closed...which I do not understand. Currently my vehicle has suffered this failure with only 82,000 miles. THIS WAS NOT ANY FAULT OF MY OWN - while the dealer claims my oil was "dirty" I had the oil changed before the regularly scheduled maintenance intervals. The Dealer purposely quoted me $16,000 for the engine repair - while the OEM engine only costs ~ $3,000 on the Subaru website. My guess is that they did this knowing SOA (Subaru of America) would deny my warranty claim. After much back and forth - me providing receipts for oil and filters (all oil changes performed by certified mechanic). They did deny my warranty claim citing "the overall cost, and age of my vehicle".

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Engine · TX

I own a 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX which was still under warranty(48xxx miles) I’ve been having issues with my vehicle where at times it shuts off on me whenever I come to a complete stop. I’ve taken it to a Subaru dealership multiple times and they always told me “They couldn’t replicate the problem or didn’t find any issue.” I was on my way back home from work when all of a sudden on the freeway the car completely turned off while driving highway speed. I was able to safely pull over on the highway and tried turning the car back on and the check Engine light was on with a flashing cruise control light, I turned it off and had it towed home. I read the code and it came out to be a P0011 and a P0021. I took it to a Subaru dealership that was close to me and was told they couldn’t find any problem and I insisted they check the car again and they said they did an inspection of the car and there wasn’t any problems. I was on my way to work as I began to accelerate the car stalled I turned the car on thinking I stalled the vehicle but a rattling sound became loudly audible. I checked my oil to see if it was low on oil but the dip stick still showed it had lots of oil. But I believe the engine is damaged. I’m tired of taking it to the dealership and being told there isn’t a problem when there’s in fact a major problem. I read through a lot of forums and bulletins and a lot of people have been having the same issues and I don’t know why there was never a recall to fix the faulty issues these vehicles have which is a horrible engine that is a ticking time bomb. This is a major issue and I believe this needs to be looked into.

Filed Oct 17, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 1 miles · NH

I had purchased a subaru impreza 2017 in june of 2017. Since leaving the parking lot with the car I've experienced all the info entertainment issues. I have a weird engine ticking noise. The vehicle will continue to accelerate. It has never gone out of control. However the 'forward' momentum/ inertia that's created by the engine doesn't disperse correctly thru the exhaust as it should. The vehicle is a 5 speed manual and if I don't shift down to neutral when stoping then I won't stop where I'm judging to. The car will feel as if it's sliding over the brakes. You also may have to power brake with the clutch as I do regularly. Since having all these issues. When ever I'd go to a dealer they would say some jargon about how if they have to turn a screw that's not a part of the part being fixed under warranty or a recall then that would have to be paid for. I was told I can have my car serviced but they don't know what they will have to do. Pretty much taking me for a ride of 'fear mongering' and saying put your hand on this table and let's play the knife game...poke! I would be put in a very tough situation with no guarantee. The dealer did this so they wouldn't have to do work and not get paid. Because they loose money as a dealer for recall work. They are not subaru at all. All in all now I'm told to have my car taken to service for all the numerous recalls/lawsuits attached to my car. Even tho now I'm past my warranty (120,000). And there saying the same bs as they will charge for everything not associated to the effected parts. All necessary means to address the effected parts should be associated with the recall. I have been scamed. The whole time every issue was either under warranty or recall and they never honor it. If they do. They will fix whatever has a scratch and charge you saying it was required. It's all a game. They are con artists!!!

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Engine · 98,105 miles · ID

Recall #18v‑772, valve spring repair. On may 9, 2019 roger's subaru performed recall work on my 2013 impreza. Now my engine makes a loud knocking noise. This noise happens when driving & when stationary.

Filed Mar 29, 2019 · Engine · 26,250 miles · RI

3 times my engine has needed a short block replacement. I have brought car in for all scheduled maintenance and have changed the oil every 3500-4000 miles. The first engine problem occurred at 26,250 mi. I noticed a knocking sound and brought to subaru dealer. Diagnosis: "bearing damage to connecting rod bearing for cylinder 2." short block replaced, under warranty. (see docs) 2nd incident occurred at 51,232 miles. This time there was no warning and I was on an interstate when the engine seized and all power was lost. Towed to a subaru dealer. No diagnosis was given at that time but short block was again replaced. This time I had to pay for the teardown ($222) but subaru, after numerous phone calls agreed to do the work as a "good will gesture." (see docs) the 3rd & last malfunction occurred at 58,700 miles, a mere 7,000 miles since the last engine was replaced. Again, I was on the interstate and with a moments notice (reduction in power) the engine seized. It was sheer luck that I was not killed trying to move over 6 lanes with no power or steering to get off the highway. Towed to a subaru dealer. I do not have any paperwork from this last incident. Subaru said they would pay for entire repair. But before I could make an informed decision, I asked for written documentation of the problem, cause and a detailed repair description. I have not received this information & did not give consent to repair car. Just got a call from the dealer saying car was repaired and ready for pickup. The only information I have regarding this last seizure was from a subaru of america customer services rep who verbally told me that "the cylinder 4 rod was thrown." the car is currently at the dealer. There is something seriously wrong when a vehicle with only 58000 miles needs 3 engines. I refuse to drive this vehicle again. I will not jeopardize my life and of those around me.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Engine · 46,500 miles · PA

While traveling on the highway (I-79 in pa, just south of exit #68 mount nebo road), my engine lost power. I was traveling in a straight line at the time. I had it towed to a subaru dealership which confirmed it had seized. *dt added cspc shortly before this, I had received notice that I am a member of a class action settlement concerning subaru connecting rod bearings and main bearings. My car is a 2013 wrx, and wrx engines made between 2012 and 2017 are in the class. The dealership informed that although they had not yet inspected the engine to determine the cause, they guessed the cause was a turbo failure: which happens to be excluded from the settlement. ("guess" was the service manager's word, not mine.) I was further informed by this same service manager of my local dealer that a full engine inspection is required in order to determine the cause - which means it will cost me close to $900 for subaru to determine whether or not they will cover my repairs under the settlement. Milage at the time of the engine failure was approximately 46,500 miles.