Used Subaru Impreza: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used Impreza, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- GE/GH 2007–2011
- GJ/GP 2012–2016
- GK/GT 2017–2023
- GU 2024 on
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Subaru Impreza
The most commonly reported problems on a used Subaru Impreza are shudder and hesitation from the CVT automatic, clutch wear on manual cars, and high oil use on the 2.0-litre engine of the GJ/GP. Also check for water leaks into the cabin on older cars.
For the Impreza you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
CVT Shudder and Hesitation
Since 2012, automatic Imprezas have a continuously variable transmission (CVT) Subaru calls Lineartronic. After the warranty, owners report it shuddering, particularly when slowing down, with hesitation and occasional stalling (AustralianCar.Reviews).
On the test drive, pull away gently, accelerate steadily and slow to a stop several times. Feel for shaking or surging, and check it doesn't take more than a moment to engage drive or reverse.
Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed and whether any software updates were done. A shuddering CVT can be costly, so have a mechanic check it.
Clutch Wear
Owners of manual GE/GH Imprezas report clutches wearing out and costing more to replace than in many small cars (ProductReview owner reviews).
On the drive, accelerate firmly in a higher gear: if the revs rise faster than the speed, the clutch is slipping. Feel for judder pulling away, and check the clutch biting point isn't right at the top.
Ask when the clutch was last replaced. A worn clutch is a big bill, so price it into your offer.
High Oil Use
Subaru issued bulletins for high oil use on 2012–13 Imprezas with the 2.0-litre FB20 engine, and in the US replaced the short block to fix it (AustralianCar.Reviews).
Pull the dipstick: the oil should be between the marks. Ask how often it gets topped up, and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.
Ask whether any engine work was done under warranty. A car using a lot of oil needs a mechanic's check before you buy.
Which Subaru Impreza Years to Avoid?
No single Subaru Impreza year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
- GE/GH (2007–2011). 15 to 19 years old, typically about 190,000–240,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2008). Stability control is standard. At this age, condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- GJ/GP (2012–2016). 10 to 14 years old, typically about 130,000–180,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2012). Stability control is standard. At this age, condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- GK/GT (2017–2023). 3 to 9 years old, typically about 40,000–110,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2016) until it expired in December 2023. Stability control is standard. AEB is on some variants. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. Subaru's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from January 2019, so ones first sold from 2021 may still be covered.
- GU (2024 on). Up to 2 years old, typically up to about 30,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2024), expiring December 2031, for cars built from April 2025. AEB is standard. The current model. Subaru's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from January 2019, so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid.
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
Warranty terms are from Subaru's warranty page, as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows.
For the Impreza you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Subaru Impreza General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for Subaru Impreza problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- GE/GH 2007–2011
- GJ/GP 2012–2016
- GK/GT 2017–2023
- GU 2024 on
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
01
Exterior
4 checks
01
Exterior
4 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
4 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
4 checks
06
Documentation
4 checks
Get this free inspection guide on your phone.
Work through the Subaru Impreza General inspection guide on your phone at the car. Capture images, audio and note what you find.
Scan to get the app
Rather have it on paper?
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru; Subaru and Impreza are trademarks of Subaru Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What the General inspection guide can't tell you about the Impreza you're looking at
9+
recalls on Imprezas built since 2007
9
common faults reported on Imprezas built since 2007
2,344
owner complaints on Imprezas built since 2008
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the Subaru Impreza General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, November 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them. See the recall notices for the Subaru Impreza on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used Subaru Impreza: Questions Answered
Is a used Subaru Impreza reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Subaru Impreza years should I avoid?
No single Subaru Impreza year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
This checklist covers the GE/GH (2007–2011), GJ/GP (2012–2016), GK/GT (2017–2023) and GU (2024 on) Subaru Impreza. Problems reported across them include CVT shudder, clutch wear and oil use.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Subaru Impreza?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre car with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services or spent years on short trips. Check the history for regular oil changes, and find out whether any timing belt replacement is due, as it's a costly job.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Subaru Impreza?
It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. Hidden crash repairs and gearbox problems are easy to miss on a short test drive, so check panel gaps and paint closely and drive it long enough to feel every gear change. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs
How do I check a used Subaru Impreza for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
How do I check recalls on a used Subaru Impreza?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Subaru Impreza. Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Subaru dealer to check the VIN.
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
Not ready yet? Start with the free General inspection guide for your car's model.
Scan to get the app
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the used car buying checklist for any car or browse problems and checklists by model.