← Back to Search

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan

The 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Sedan is a 148-hp sedan with a 5-speed manual and all-wheel drive. It starts at $34,095 MSRP and is rated at 28 mpg combined.

It makes 148 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway (28 mpg combined).

The Impreza measures 173.8 inches long on a 104.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,998 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$34,095 ($48,262 *)
MSRP with Destination$34,845 ($49,323 *)
Destination Charge$750
Engine
Engine TypeDOHC 4-cylinder horizontally opposed (BOXER); alloy cylinder block and heads
Horsepower148 hp @ 6,200 rpm
Torque145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
ValvetrainChain-driven DOHC; 4 valves per cylinder; Dual Active Valve Control System (DAVCS) — intake and exhaust camshafts; tumble generator valves
Bore and Stroke84 x 90mm (3.31 x 3.54 in.)
Compression Ratio10.5:1
Injection TypeSequential multi-port fuel injection (MFI); Electronic Throttle Control (ETC)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeSymmetrical All-Wheel Drive (Continuous AWD — viscous-coupling locking center differential)
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual with Incline Start Assist
1st Gear3.454
2nd Gear1.888
3rd Gear1.296
4th Gear0.972
5th Gear0.738
Reverse3.333
Final Drive4.11
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway33 MPG
Combined28 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular (87 AKI)
Suspension
Front SuspensionMacPherson-type struts; lower L-arms; coil springs; stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionDouble wishbone; coil springs; stabilizer bar
Brakes
Front Brake CalipersDual-piston
Front Brake Disc10.9 in. ventilated
Rear Brake Disc10.8 in. solid
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 x 7.0 in. aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear17 x 7.0 in. aluminum alloy
Tires Front205/50R17
Tires Rear205/50R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length173.8 in
Width68.5 in
Height57.7 in
Wheelbase104.1 in
Front Track59.4 in
Rear Track59.6 in
Cargo Volume22.5 ft³
Curb Weight2,998 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.8 in
Headroom Rear37.1 in
Legroom Front43.5 in
Legroom Rear35.4 in
Shoulder Room Front55.6 in
Shoulder Room Rear54.2 in
Hip Room Front52.2 in
Hip Room Rear53.1 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (9.9 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Subaru Impreza SW AWD: 4 ★ overall

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru IMPREZA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 28, 2019 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

NHTSA campaign 19V149000

Nov 1, 2018 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V772000

Oct 13, 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

NHTSA campaign 16V738000

Jul 1, 2015 · AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012 model year Subaru Impreza 4-Door and Station Wagon vehicles (except WRX/STI models) manufactured April 21, 2011, to February 16, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may deactivate if a front seat passenger operates a device that is plugged into the power outlet such as a music player or cell phone, or touches a metal part of the vehicle such as the forward/rearward seat adjuster lever.

Consequence: If the ODS deactivates, the front passenger air bag will be turned off and the front passenger air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Occupant Control Unit with a modified one, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQT-55.

NHTSA campaign 15V419000

Feb 25, 2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

NHTSA campaign 13V061000

Nov 29, 2011 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

NHTSA campaign 11V562000

243 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru IMPREZA

Owner Complaints

243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru IMPREZA (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags105
Engine55
Electrical System30
Power Train26
Seats15
Service Brakes15
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 11, 2026 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
“My Chicco Fit360 car seat’s magnetic chest clip is failing to stay clipped and is easily unclipped by the tug of one finger. Children are able to easily unclip it as well. Yes it is available for…”
May 23, 2026 · Unknown Or Other
“My ignition key gets stuck when I shifted into park on my 2012 subaru impreza.”
Aug 23, 2025 · Electrical System
“The fan controls in the center of the dash failed. Fan speed 1&2 work, but 3&4 do not. After pulling the center dash controls out, I found that the plug connecting the fan speed controls to the wiring…”
May 15, 2025 · Electrical System, Unknown Or Other
“HVAC plug pigtail Blower motor resistor Heater control harness Is available for inspection HVAC electrical plugin was badly burned and melted causing risk of fire Summer months created dangerous…”
Mar 14, 2025 · Suspension, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search