2013 SUBARU IMPREZA Electrical System Problems

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 (NHTSA 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.

During humid days, when a passenger sits in the passenger seat for more than a minute, the airbags will turn off for both the driver and passenger seat. With some further research, this is a somewhat common problem with 2013 Subaru Imprezas. This is a massive safety risk.

The wires that connect to the climate control have started an electrical fire and burned out my climate control twice. Upon reporting this to Subaru they advised the climate control randomly not working is a very common problem as it can melt due to high heat outside (90-100+ temperature). Now upon replacing the climate control unit, the wire connected was burned as there was an active electrical fire that was the cause of the climate control not working because it could not connect to the wire pack properly due to the fire. Fire started and went out on its own but without my knowledge as it’s internal behind the radio portion of the car. I would not have known about the fire unless I replaced the part, which is what I did.

Key will not remove from the ignition. This is a known issue by Subaru but they refuse to correct it.

Ignition key can not always be removed. If I turn the ignition back on it will usually release the key.

Upon placing the vehicle in park, the key will not be released from the ignition. This has happened intermittently for months. The vehicle has not yet been inspected, but I do believe this is a known issue with this model/year, along with other Subaru models/years. I have had to leave me key in the ignition with the vehicle unlocked, on city streets, due to having to make work appointments on time and not having the time to play with the shifter, steering wheel and/or ignition until it decides to work. When my vehicle is stolen, will Subaru replace it? This is a problem for which Subaru should beheld responsible.

Check engine/break/ABS/traction control/ cruise control and AT OIL TEMP lights are all on. Now my back break lights are not working! Car jerks at times. Read on a few forms that this was an issue for Subaru Imprezas 2012 and up. There was also a recall on this issue on April 2019. Please have this recalled again.

Malfunction with my dashboard lights. ABS/ AT OIL TEMP/TRACKTION CONTROL/ HILL LIGHT and CRUISE CONTROL GAGE. Are all on car seems to run somewhat alright until car jerks then all of the mentioned issues comes on.

Sometimes when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the Airbag light will show that it is turned off. It happens about 70% each time we are in the vehicle. I don't know if it is a wire issue or the airbag sensor. It seems that it is covered in other recalls, but not my vehicle. Not sure why but it seems they are the same system.

Key gets stuck in ignition and cannot be removed when in park. This is a know issue and documented in Service Bulletin 16-112-18R.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FAN MOTOR AND CLIMATE CONTROL FAN SPEED SWITCH BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.*DT

Mileage: 107,000

VEHICLE HAS KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE OIL CONTROL VALVES ON FRONT OF ENGINE FAIL AND LEAK OIL ONTO MAIN WIRING HARNESS. THE DEFECT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN ELECTRICAL SHORTS, LIGHTING FAILURE, ENGINE NOT BEING ABLE TO BE STARTED, ENGINE FUNCTION FAILING WHILE IN USE, BATTERY FAILURE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT CREATED AMONG OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING STARTING, RUNNING, SAFE USEAGE AND POTENTIAL DANGEROUS FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. PREVIOUS COMPLAINT LOGGED, NO EVIDENCE THAT PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED - ALTHOUGH MANUFACTURER HAS ACKNOWLEGED KNOWLEDGE OF ISSUE BY ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN.

Mileage: 135,000

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR NEVER TURNS ON. EVEN IF I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHT STILL REMAINS OFF. I KNOW THAT THE 2012 MODELS USED THE SAME OCCUPANCY SENSOR AS THE 2013 IMPREZA BUT THE 2013 MODELS HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED. THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE BECAUSE THEY'RE THE SAME EXACT MODELS SO THEY SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED SO THEY CAN BE FIXED. THE SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN WET AND I HAVEN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, SO THIS IS A FAULTY OCCUPANCY SENSOR. I DON'T KNOW WHY I SHOUL DHAVE TO PAY $1500 FOR A FAULTY SENSOR.

Mileage: 89,000

PERIODICALLY THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" SIGN ILLUMINATES EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM ENTERPRISE RENTAL SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION. SOMEHOW THEIR MECHANIC GOT LIGHT TO GO OFF. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED BUT DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION UNTIL NOW. MY DAUGHTER WILL BE DRIVING THE CAR. DO NOT TRUST THE AIRBAG OR SEAT SENSOR.ON PASSENGER SIDE.

Mileage: 70,000

PASSENGER AIR BAG RED DASH LIGHT REMAINS ON WEATHER IN MOTION OR STATIONARY WITH A PASSENGER OR WITHOUT. AMBER AIR BAG CENTER DASH LIGHT REMAINS "OFF" IN MOTION OR SATIONARY WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. TURNING THE CAR ON OR OFF DOES NOT CHANGE THE ISSUE. CAR HAS 112,000 MILES.

Mileage: 112,000

2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINEERING DEFECT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTRACTS RODENTS THAT CHEW THROUGH THE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *JS

VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF NOT STARTING, ENGINE LOSING POWER, EXTENDED ENGINE CRANKING AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR WHAT WAS UNKNOWN REASONS, DOCUMENTED IN NUMEROUS DEALER REPORTS. WAS INFORMED THAT THE ISSUE IS DUE TO OIL LEAKING FROM OIL CONTROL VALVE (OCV) LEAKING INTO WIRING HARNESS. VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES WHEN IN MOTION, BEFORE RUNNING AND WHILE TRYING TO START.

Mileage: 120,000

TAIL LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON , FIRST TIME THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS BURNED OUT , DEALER CHANGED THE WHOLE THING , THIS IS SECOND TIME TAIL LIGHTING IS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN THE SWITCH IS ON , I AM AFRAID IT WILL BURN OUT THE WHOLE HARNESS AGAIN !

Mileage: 78,000

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT OCS MALFUNCTIONS WITH TERRIFYING FREQUENCY. THE CAR WILL BE IN MOTION WITH THE PASSENGER'S SEAT OCCUPIED AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. ONCE AGAIN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTS DETAILING THE SAME EXPERIENCE. SUBARU HAS RECALLED OTHER CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY 2013 IMPREZA NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED AS WELL.

Mileage: 91,000

WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO PARK THE KEY CANNON BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. IT'S AN ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND SUBARU SHOULD PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES NOW. CAR CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

Mileage: 50,000

SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING TRANSMISSION INTO PARK IN ORDER TO GET KEY OUT. KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL.

Mileage: 120,000

LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN OUT (MAIN HEADLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS) WITH FREQUENCY (EVERY 6 MONTHS). MOREOVER, ONCE ONE BURNS OUT, THE SECOND LIGHT TENDS TO BURN OUT THE NEXT DAY. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS 5 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, EVEN BUYING HIGH QUALITY REPLACEMENT BULBS.

SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR DOES NOT REGISTER ADULT HUMAN MALE, GETS TRIPPED IF CELL PHON E IS IN PROXIMITY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT AIRBAG IS THEREFORE OFF AND WILL NOT GO OFF IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. THIS OCCURS IF THE FRONT PASSENGER HAS A LAPTOP OR CELLPHONE. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR IS BROKEN BUT DUE TO WATER DAMAGE WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED - IF A DAMP USER IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO SENSOR I BELIEVE SUBARU IS PURPOSEFULLY RELEASING POORLY DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED PARTS. THIS ISSUES FIRST APPEARED IN 2017 AND WAS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOT OCCURRING EVERY TIME A PASSENGER RIDES WITH ME.

Mileage: 40,000

RECALL IN OTHER IMPREZA IN SAME YEAR MODEL, BUT NOT MINE SPECIFICALLY. SAME ISSUE OCCURS WITH AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WITH ANY AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN PASSENGER SEAT, AIRBAG HOWEVER DOES NOT TURN ON. STAYS OFF WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. THIS WAS RECALLED IN MANY OTHER 2012-2014 IMPREZA. SUBARU CONFIRMED THAT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY IN MY IMPREZA IS SAME PART AS OCCUPANY SENSOR RECALLED IN OTHER IMPREZA. I WAS SOLD THIS CAR BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WITH THIS ISSUE (NOT THE COMPANY LISTED ON THE RECEIPTS PROVIDED). HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED FOR INSPECTION. HAVE TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM, ALMOST $700 FOR SEAT ALONE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR. SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BY GIVING ME $500 GOODWILL REPAIR CERTIFICATE, BUT NOT FULL PRICE OF REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN MANY OTHER VEHICLES.

CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM IGNITION , TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED , ALSO CAR WILL NOT START MUST ATTEMPT TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL AND HOPE THAT IT STARTS

Mileage: 115,995

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH MELTED AND CREATED A DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. THE WIRE HARNESS AND BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CONDITION. THEY NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE WIRE HARNESS.

Mileage: 84,000

WARNING LAMPS FOR STABILITY CONTROL AIR BAG RANDOMLY LIGHT UP ON MY DASH BOARD PANEL. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL ALSO SWITCH TO OFF EVEN WHEN A PASSER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT OR THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING SOUND WILL GO OFF IF A SMALL OBJECT IS PLACED ON THE SEAT. MY MECHANIC CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE AS I CANNOT RECREATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAUSE THE LAMPS TO SWITCH ON OR THE WARNING SIREN TO CHIME. COMPUTER READINGS DO NOT RETURN ANY "CODES" IF THE LAMPS AREN'T ON.

Mileage: 79,000

AIR BAG IS DISABLED WHEN MOISTURE OR HUMIDITY IS PRESENT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. SPECIFICALLY THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE AMBER PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT PRESENTED ITSELF SOON AFTER PURCHASE. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY & WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN TRIGGERED BY BOTH HUMIDITY IN THE AIR & PERSPIRATION BY THE PASSENGER. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH MOISTURE COMPROMISING THE PASSENGER SEAT SWITCH. THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. MOST RECENTLY I HAD LEFT THE REAR WINDOW OPEN IT WAS HUMID BUT THERE WAS NO RAIN, WHEN I WENT TO WORK IN THE MORNING THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. THE PROBLEM MAY BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME, IN THE PAST A TOWEL OR TRASH BAG WOULD PREVENT IT BUT NO, AS MENTIONED IT IS BEING TRIGGERED BY HUMID AIR. I VIDEOED ONE EXAMPLE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO INCLUDE IT BUT IT IS TOO LARGE I WOULD BE GLAD TO EMAIL IT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, MY DAUGHTER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR SHOWS OFF. THE VIDEO WAS TAKEN ON SEPT 30TH 2014, THE VEHICLE HAD 35,212 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME.

Mileage: 20,000

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH MELTED AND CREATED A DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. THE WIRE HARNESS AND BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE CONDITION.

Mileage: 177,000

THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT CONTROLS AIRBAG IS FAULTY. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO ON INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED EVEN THOUGH PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND BELTED. THIS CAN ALWAYS BE RESET BY TURNING IGNIOTION OFF AND ON AGAIN. ALSO SENSOR INCORRECTLY THINKS THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT EVEN WHEN VERY LIGHT PACKAGES OR GROCERIES ARE ON THE SEAT WEIGHING 2-12 POUNDS. I'VE CALLED SUBARU AND THEY CLAIM SENSOR IS SET TO 27 PUNDS OR MORE, WHICH IS CLEARLY NOT WORKING HERE. SUBARU WILL NOT FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY SO I THINK NHTSA SHOULD LOOK AT ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HERE AND INVESTIGATE.

Mileage: 5,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE IGNITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE KEY TO BEND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

Mileage: 36,000

MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME EXACT BEHAVIOR DESCRIBED IN A RECALL FOR THE 2012 MODEL YEAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V419000, SUBARU RECALL NUMBER WQT-55). MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE SINCE MY PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THAT WHICH IS DESCRIBED.

Mileage: 43,000

DECEMBER 19, 2013, I PURCHASED A SUBARU IMPREZA FROM KOEPPEL SUBARU IN LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE CAR WAS "BRAND NEW" AND USED ONLY FOR TEST DRIVES. AFTER 5 MONTHS OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS TO START. PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR DOOR HAD TO BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT GO OFF REGARDLESS OF THE SEAT BEING EMPTY OR OCCUPIED. SOMEONE GAVE ME A "BOOST" WHICH STARTED THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AND THEN PARKED THE CAR. I WENT ON VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS. AFTER THE CAR BEING UNUSED FOR TWO WEEKS, AGAIN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS ADVISED BY THEM TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO ANY SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO BAYRIDGE SUBARU WHICH EVALUATED THE CAR AND SAID THAT THE CAR HAD A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY. SUBARU DEALERS WERE INFORMED IN APRIL OF 2013 THAT IMPREZA HAD A DEFECT WHICH CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE CAR LEADING TO THE BATTERY DYING AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. KOEPPEL SUBARU DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2013. THEY ALSO DID NOT INFORM ME THAT THE CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY CORPORATE OWNED. I BELIEVE THAT KOEPPEL SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME ABOUT THE RECALL AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT IT WAS USED AS A "LOANER" BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. I BELIEVE KOEPPEL SUBARU COMMITTED CONSUMER FRAUD BY NOT INFORMING ME OF THE RECALL AND THE CAR'S HISTORY BEFORE PURCHASE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND SIMPLY WANT A REFUND OF MY DOWN PAYMENT ($5,000) AND CAR PAYMENTS MADE UP TO CURRENT DATE. KOEPELL SUBARU SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR THEIR PRACTICES IN SELLING USED CARS. I REFUSE TO PAY BAYRIDGE SUBARU $35/DAY FOR STORAGE OF THIS UNSAFE CAR. KOEPPEL SUBARU IS IN VIOLATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW.

Mileage: 2,000