The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle and the vehicle was able to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact replaced the battery, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Subaru Impreza won't start problems
21 of the 2,655 owner complaints about the Subaru Impreza describe won't start, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,000
- typical mileage
- 77,794
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20193
- 20181
- 20171
- 20151
- 20142
- 20133
- 20123
- 20112
- 20102
- 20081
- 20021
- 19981
Often reported together
Stalling 3Headlights 2Fuel pump 2Check engine light 2Warning lights 1Oil consumption 1Misfire 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
after less than two years into my lease, the car was completely 'dead'. I could not start it or 'jump' it. It cost me out of pocket money to have it towed 50 miles to dealership. They replaced battery. They car was recalled a year or so. Took it into dealership for repair. After I noticed that automatic headlight dimmer would not work.-Still doesn't. 2 weeks ago, car would not start. Was told again by dealer that car had to be brought in. Was referred to 'roadside service company' Was quoted an ' out of pocket' charge of $644 to tow vehicle to dealership. Since I could not do that, decided to order battery myself for $260. waiting for battery to arrive
The battery dies sporadically when the car has been parked for a short time or a day or two. No telling when it will happen, but suddenly the car will not start. Subaru dealer says there's nothing wrong, but obviously there is. This has happened three times already, once in 25- degree weather with a 15-degree wind chill. I have checked all the lights and keep the headlights turned off, as I don't drive at night. So far this has happened only when the car is parked, but what if it happens when I am driving? Date given below is the third incident. The others were in late January and February.
Took 2012 Subaru Impreza to dealer on 2/07/22 for oil change and PA state inspections (60,130 mi). Maintenance and inspections performed without issues. Started car and noticed slight change in sound and vibration from engine that I attributed to cold winter day start up. A block from leaving dealership, the check engine, oil warning and vehicle dynamic control lights all illuminated at once. In the 2-3 minutes to turn around to go back to the dealership, the engine noise/vibration/roughness increased until the engine stalled with a sound like an air compressor shutting down. I brought the service rep out for him to try restarting the car but it barely turned/wouldn't start (despite new battery and having started fine previously that day). A service tech was brought out with an ODBII scanner and found timing skip error codes and pushed the car in to a service stall to diagnose. I was then told that I need a new engine. The engine was replaced at no cost using Subaru part # SOA402F500R1 Remanufactured Short Block and associated internal component parts and returned to me on 2/19/22.
Purchased Impreza Limited 10/31/19. On 1/23/21, car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery. On 7/4/21 car would not start; battery jumped by AAA. On 9/10/21 car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery again—3rd battery since I purchased car. On 7/22/21 Subaru of Morristown said they checked for parasitic drain, and told me it is “within specs.” They said I don’t drive enough miles. End of July 2021 I (a senior woman) purchased a Battery Tender which I must attach to the battery whenever the car is parked in my garage.
2011 Subaru WRX STI would not start, the fuel pump connector power pin on the fuel pump melted also burned the connector. Gas now is entering the fuel pump connecter. This is a fire hazard.
2 differt items not sure if interconnected. Drove out of driveway and 3 blocks away the car was shaking violently and could not go more than 5 miles an hour. Was able to turn around and pull into driveway and the car died and would not start. Subarau dealer said it was the Engine Control Module and replaced it for free. There was a recall done on the 2012 Impreza for same problem and mine is a 2014 with only 35,990 miles. Should be a recall for this model year also. This would have been very dangerous if I was on the freeway and I would hate to have it happen to someone else. A week before the car died I was having problems with my key frequently getting stuck in the ignition when it was in park. Had to pull the car in and out of parking spaces and play with steering wheel constantly to release the key. This was happening a lot. When the car was at the dealer for the ECM, I also told them about the key getting stuck. They said the problem was the release switch and replaced the switch guide plate for $564. I saw on line that this also happened with the 2012 Impreza which were recalled for the keys getting stuck in the ignition but they told me I had to pay since there was no recall. Apparently this problem is still continuing with the newer models.
Ii bought this car new in 2019. I have had 8 times which I would be out somewhere and the car would not start. I lived in fort worth and aaa would come. At no time has subaru addressed this issue of why it will not start. I had to take it to cleo bay in killen on saturday the 10th because I was at lunch in brownwood and when I tried to start it it would not. I had to get it jumped and then the screen for the maps and radio acted like it was on drugs. So I drove and left it with cleo bay subaru. They said they did an update to my radio but won't address the real issue of why the car would not start and I had to get it jumped.
Car won't turn over ignition. All brake lights stopped working. It impacted braking, vdc system, ABS system and cruise control didn't work. Occurred after 2 hour trip with no concerns and functioning systems.only noticed when tried to restart the car.
I have been experiencing a rattling noise accompanied by loss of power and a rough idle at low speeds. I thought it mught be the idler pulley--replaced that along with the serpentine belt and tensioner. Did not fix the problems. Yesterday it began to stall at idle and low speeds. Car will not start. Symptoms match those related to the wty 84r bulletin and the 18v772-7070 recall for broken valve springs but the dealership says my vehicle is not in the VIN range. The car is a 2012 impreza--the problem matches the problems for the 2012 impreza.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUS-04.
Recall number 19V745000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Recall number 19V744000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1‑888‑270‑9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Recall number 18V772000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
- Risk
- Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly will be replaced with a modified part. The recall began on october 20, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 08V460000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the cover bolts for the engine oil control valve may not be sufficiently tightened, allowing oil to leak from around the cover gasket.
- Risk
- If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and retighten the oil-flow control valve cover bolts. The recall began on october 8, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 04V473000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Impreza won't start
Which Subaru Impreza years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (3 complaints), 2013 (3 complaints) and 2019 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Subaru Impreza?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Subaru Impreza?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history