Subaru Impreza overheating problems

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Electrical · WI

There is a plug on wiring harness that fits into speed control for the environmental system. The control is part of this piece 72311fj050. The connection overheated and and burned the plug and the speed control switch The blower motor is now broken. In [XXX] a car without defrosters is mostly useless. I had 2 different mechanics at 2 different repair places confirm this is the problem. There was no way to indication from the car that anything was wrong. The problem could have happened anytime even when driving in blizzard or 70 mph on the highway. I have the defective parts for your inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · 106,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the high-temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that an engine reseal had failed and needed to be redone. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Engine · CO

Engine oil leak. An engine oil leak could potentially cause a fire hazard by igniting when leaking into hot components. It could cause engine damage due to inadequate lubrication leading to overheating and severe engine damage. The leak can contaminate the environment including soil and water, and it can create slippery surfaces which would be a risk to people walking in the area with leaked oil. I took my vehicle to a Subaru dealership for service, and they indicated that it was leaking oil everywhere. I looked it up and found numerous reports in online forums of others having the exact same issue. I was quoted over $5000 to repair and forums also indicate that others have been quoted multiple thousands of dollars to repair as well. I have noticed that the vehicle would always give me a low oil light approximately 3000 miles after an oil change, so I would top it off. It has been doing this since I originally purchased the vehicle with approximately 16000 miles. I took it to a Subaru dealership back then and was told by the service providers that it's normal for engines under 60,000 miles to consume more oil and dismissed it. Now it no longer falls under warranty and am expected to pony up $5000 to fix it.

Filed Jul 12, 2024 · Electrical · OH

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 (the federal safety agency 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.

Filed May 8, 2023 · Engine · CA

I bought my 2016 Subaru Impreza brand new and take great care of it. The car has 80,300 miles and when I did a sharp U turn the car stalled out and I was almost rear-ended. At a busy intersection a few weeks I was at a red light and my car was noticeably idling rough and when the light went green my car stalled out causing the road to be blocked. After taking my car to a certified mechanic I find out that the head gasket has already failed and has coolant leaking into it. It aslo showed a PO302 code. Subaru years before stated that this problem had been fixed when it clearly has not been. I purchased this car because it was suppose to be reliable and now I owe $5,500 to have my car repaired and hopefully run well & safe.

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Electrical · 81,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the driveway, the vehicle failed to restart after thirty minutes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to the pump assembly and noticed that the connector was difficult to remove and had melted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed there was an open circuit in the assembly. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and offered a discount on the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT INTERNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING OVERHEAT MELTING THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL ASSEMBLY TOP HAT WHICH CAUSED LOSE PRESSURE IN FUEL SYSTEM. PART NUMBER 42021AG010, Case # [XXX]-[XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The engine cooling system failed and put myself and my step-daughter at risk while driving on the freeway. When I got off the freeway, the vehicle stalled and I was unable to move the car. I got a tow to move the car. The electrical system was messing up for the windows and the radio, I was unaware of the other parts of the vehicle it was affecting. I just tolerated it for the time being. When my car overheated, The red warning temperature lights came on, the blue warning lamp that tells the temperature, and the tract warning lamp, as well as the check engine lamp. They did not turn on prior to this. I took the vehicle to John Hine Subaru. The car went from being my most reliable, to this unpredictable incident.

Filed Jun 27, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · CO

Was driving on I-70 in Colorado going 60-65 mph uphill when all indicator lights came on and AT (Automatic Transition) Oil Temp light began flashing. Check Engine, Hill Assist, ABS, and Traction Control lights all came on steady on. Had to pull over and had significant power loss during driving. Googled what AT Oil Temp light meant and called a tow truck to take to my mechanic. Mechanic initially indicated it could be valve body problem which in his words is a "known issue with Subaru CVT engines." Code pulled was p2764. They ended up pulling the pan and draining fluid and found excessive metal built up on magnet in pan. This pan and headgasket were repaired less than 6k miles ago (October 2020) and at that time they said everything was in good shape so something drastic happened to CVT in less than a year. Mechanic unable to say what caused the excessive buildup in that time. Safety compromised as left on side of very busy highway waiting for tow - we were also concerned with whether or not car would overheat/catch on fire due to AT oil being over 200 degrees. Problem confirmed by our mechanic and indicated that we need a full transmission replacement. No other warnings prior to this event. Maintenance is current and in 2018 performed recall service indicated by Subaru for valve spring issue.

Filed Jun 15, 2020 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · IA

The car will stop running abruptly after running for several hours and getting low on fuel. No check engine lights or other lights come on. No gas light comes on. I have taken it to 2 dealerships who cannot replicate the problem. The electrical components all stay on, but the motor will not run. The vehicle will start again when fuel is added to the tank, or when it is allowed to cool. I am 100% sure that the fuel pimp is overheating, but neither the dealer nor subaru will replace it, though it is under warranty. It happens at highway speeds when the tank is below 1/4 after driving for around 2-3 hours or more.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · IN

Bent frame: 2012 subaru impreza sport, awd w/pzev, ordered 03/2012 new from joseph subaru, florence, ky, w/42228 to date 09/27/19. Original complaints described to dealer and manufacture include: *when ordering thought the car had a higher road clearance for rural driving from pictures on internet, *driving car it wanders over the road, *tires deflate (wore out before 20,000 mi., saved to replace @ sears, mi 23850 in 04/2016), some *paint chipped off, w/*sluggish 'transmission' & 'braking system,' & belt or screech noise upon start-up (no assistance from manufacturer & dealers who denied problems). With unresponsive joseph subaru dealer/service being 75 miles drive 1-way, so by 6/12/12 took car to dealer neil huffman service (nhs), louisville, ky, ~22.4 mi 1-way, for service & hoped for help w/original complaints: new complaints; *masters cylinder & *coolant are topped-off w/most oil changes as fluids seem to evaporate, *windshield fogs-up unless a window is open, engine overheated & lost oil after 3rd oil change (seemingly due to valvoline ow20 synthetic oil of 08/07/2013, so replaced w/synthetic oil stabilizer), windshield wiper fell off & piece of body-part bumper cover was falling off; plus had to replace battery & alternator @ 22767 mi. Had to take car to a local/reputable repair service (morton's) to get reimbursed from sears tire/auto center for nhs, reporting, on 01/2019, the sears tires had been mounted improperly, also showed rear-brakes need replaced, hundreds of dollars of maintenance needed done & the car has 2 recalls. However, after morton's fixed the improperly mounted tires, asked if I had trouble w/the alignment of the vehicle (y) or if it had been in a accident (n), then informed the car has a *'bent frame.' my vertigo got worse, so I have not been able to get back to ky for the recalls, & confused & bummed-out about the bent-frame. What can I do?