2020 Subaru Impreza Safety Report
2020 SUBARU IMPREZA Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Subaru Impreza. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (83) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Subaru Impreza with 4 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Subaru Impreza before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Impreza Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Impreza years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Impreza | 14 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Subaru Impreza | 186 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Impreza | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Subaru Impreza | 148 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Subaru Impreza | 4 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Subaru Impreza | 124 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Subaru Impreza Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Subaru Impreza, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
48 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyVisibility
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Subaru onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
Reliability Score
The 2020 Subaru Impreza receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Subaru Impreza:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield Cracking Multiple owners have reported windshield cracks and breaks, often due to minor impacts. This can be a significant safety concern. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Deployment Failure Owners have reported instances where airbags did not deploy during a collision, which can be life-threatening. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Electrical Issues Owners have experienced issues with the engine and electrical systems, including white smoke and intermittent door lock problems. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Braking Noise A few owners have reported a loud rumbling noise and vibration while braking at high speed, which can be concerning. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Subaru Impreza:
Windshield issues are a significant concern, with multiple owners reporting cracks and breaks.
Airbag deployment failures have been reported, which can be life-threatening in a collision.
Engine issues, such as white smoke due to oil and coolant mixing, have been reported.
Intermittent door lock issues have been reported, affecting the overall reliability of the vehicle.
Recall Details for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Subaru Impreza by NHTSA:
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Subaru Impreza
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Subaru Impreza with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
I HAVE NOW HAD 4 WINDSHIELDS CRACK AND BREAK AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME ONE LITTLE ROCK HITS THE WINDSHIELD BOOM ANOTHER FULL REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED. EVERY TIME I GO FOR A ROAD TRIP THIS KEEPS HAPPENING THE MUST BE A DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN OR TYPE OF GLASS USED FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA 2020 MODELS.
I got into an accident going 60 miles an hour I crash into a guardrail totaled the car but no airbags deployed I broke my wrist and dislocated my thumb
Reference complaint no.11684658 confirmed. From email from Tech representative "VDC HYDRAULIC UNIT REPLACEMENT. IT IS AN INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THERE ARE SENSORS INSIDE THAT MEASURE BRAKE LINE PRESSURE. THE LEFT FRONT SENSOR IS STUCK AT NEGATIVE 59 BAR. SHOULD BE ZERO AT REST. NOTHING TO DO WITH EYESIGHT THAT LIGHT WILL COME ON WHENEVER THERE IS A WARNING LIGHT ON." The modulat...
The Eye Sight warning system is activated occasionally and VDC is cut off. The dealer diagnosed code C1742, and recommended replacing the control unit due to a pressure sensor issue after measurement. The units are on back order, which indicates to me a wider spread problem. VDC units should not fail even after 10 years.
White smoke mechanic claims oil mixed with the antifreeze. And stated that the engine needed to be replaced.
The windshield spontaneously cracked while sitting in my driveway. Windshield had no chips, damage, etc. The weather has been in the upper 70's, so no inclement weather. Upon researching, I found that many other Subaru owners have had the same issue.
While car was parked. Front windshield developed crack in the lower mid section of windshield. There was no damage to windshield that would have resulted in cracking. Crack has since spread.
Both rear doors will intermittently not open when unlocked from both the inside or the outside. I am unsure if this is electrical or related to the door components itself. This is a hazard because passengers have been locked in the back of the car, and needed to climb out from the front or needed me to open the door from the outside if it will open—which could be a deadly amount of extra time in a...
Windshield breaks (cracks) very easily. I have owned/driven cars for 45 years, during the first 41 years I have only had to replace one (1) windshield. Since I have owned this vehicle (Subaru), I am now onto windshield number five (5). Are they making these windows with inferior materials or thinner? I hate to think that an inferior window will not hold up or perform as designed in a major acc...
Passenger Air-bag igniter's wiring shorted out releasing gas into car. The windows were up and the car was not running. I was sitting in passenger side went to light my cigarette and with no warning at all KABOOM!!! Car exploded catching my hair on fire as well as 2nd and 3rd degree burns on hands and 1st and 2nd degree burns on face. The explosion carried so much force that the doors and back hat...
On 3 separate occasions since I've had my car, it has powered off completely without warning while driving. This is very dangerous could cause a severe accident or death. I called a tow truck on 3 separate occasions (1/27/23; 2/26/24; 2/28/24) to take it to the dealer or car repair business. Then after 20 - 30 minutes, it starts up again like normal. This make of cars made in 2020 have recalls fo...
Over the course of 3 days, my vehicle has sustained 4 chips in the windshield from standard city street driving. The windshield now needs to be replaced from excessive cracks.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and became aware that the windshield had cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the windshield was replaced. The failure had reoccurred, and a crack appeared on the windshield in the same area. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or deal...
A loud rumbling noise and vibration occurs while braking at high speed. Braking force seems unaffected but the noise in concerning. Upon inspection and a test drive, Subaru confirmed the issued and noticed uneven brake pad wear on the front brakes and leakage in the front caliper. Subaru recommended replacement of front calipers, pads, and rotors. Subaru replaced pads and rotors. The noise cont...
Was sitting in car preparing to leave. Car was in park and turned on. Heard a loud popping/creaking noise. Looked up and the front windshield cracked in several places.
My car spontanously developed a crack in the windshield. It has slowly grown double in size. The crack has no clear cause, chipping, or impact.
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was not illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the air bag warning light needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was involved in an accident that caused the air bag warning light to malfunctio...
The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, it was later discovered that a crack had developed on the front windshield. The crack measured approximately 10-inches and extended from the bottom of the windshield. The contact indicated that no rock or object had impacted the windshield to cause the crack. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet no...
I was stopped at a stop light. Traffic was basically at a stand still while the lights were changing. During this time my windshield spontaneously cracked on the lower center section of the glass. It cracked for seemingly no reason at all. Since traffic was stopped there's no way it could have been caused by a rock or flying debris. No weather (such as hail) was occurring at the time.
I believe this article describes the cause of the issue. Thankfully the vehicle was parked in my driveway, and did not roll into the street or harm any people, but it could have. 2020 Subaru Impreza Wrx Service Brakes related problems https://www.carproblemzoo.com/subaru/imprezawrx/2020/2020-subaru-imprezawrx-service-brakes-problems.php
Showing 20 of 83 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Subaru Impreza
Has the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
The 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA has 83 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA involve visibility/wiper (48 complaints), unknown or other (11 complaints), visibility (4 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,visibility/wiper, air bags, service brakes,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA out of 83 total complaints (2.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA out of 83 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA is acceptable with caveats. It has 83 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (48 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (11 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (4 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints), 5. AIR BAGS (3 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 48 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Be cautious of windshield issues and airbag deployment failures. Regular maintenance is crucial to address engine and electrical system problems. The 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA has 83 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 83 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Windshield Cracking and Airbag Deployment Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Known issues with the 2020 SUBARU IMPREZA include: Windshield Cracking, Airbag Deployment Failure, Engine and Electrical Issues, Braking Noise. These are based on patterns found across 83 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are windshield issues common in 2020 Subaru Impreza models?
Yes, multiple owners have reported windshield cracks and breaks, often due to minor impacts.
Have there been any reports of airbag deployment failures?
Yes, owners have reported instances where airbags did not deploy during a collision, which can be life-threatening.
What are the most common electrical system issues reported?
Owners have experienced intermittent door lock issues, which can affect the overall reliability of the vehicle.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of windshield issues and airbag deployment failures. Regular maintenance is crucial to address engine and electrical system problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Subaru Impreza
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Subaru Impreza. The data includes 83 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Subaru Impreza an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16