2012 Subaru Impreza power train problems
26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2012 Subaru Impreza — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Hello car just stopped on the Fla turnpike because bad valve body on transmission seem subaru knows about this problem and offered a extended warranty 10 yr or 100k but they did this during covid with stay at home orders and never sent any type of Notification my wife was almost killed when this…”
filed Jan 27, 2024
“I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerate. I pulled over…”
filed Nov 5, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 13, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
SubaruNet Announcement (R · Other · issued May 4, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
03-97-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
Power Train problems in other Impreza years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Impreza | 2 | 7% |
| 2019 Impreza | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 Impreza | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 Impreza | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 Impreza | 13 | 17% |
| 2015 Impreza | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 Impreza | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 Impreza | 23 | 9% |
| 2011 Impreza | 6 | 11% |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 Impreza | 30 | 29% |
| 2008 Impreza | 59 | 34% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Subaru Impreza
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.