Subaru Impreza exterior lighting problems, 2017–2027
161 of the 624 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Impreza 2017–2027 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2018 (64), 2019 (63), 2017 (32). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Impreza exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 1 | 20% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 63 | 32% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 64 | 42% | — | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 32 | 26% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2019: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 104 · 2024: 44 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 2
Across the model years, half of the 14 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 17,000 and 50,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
This issue is from Aug 2022 - my front lights are low that makes it hard to see when the weather is upon us like rain/snow/fog. Other cars barely can see my lights are on. I have a DMV check in 2 months and thought this may not let it pass
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted.
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V292000 HighApr 25, 2023 · 4,030 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Impreza vehicles. The brake light switch may be improperly adjusted and illuminate the brake lights without application of the brake pedal. The vehicle may also allow drivers to start and shift the transmission out of the PARK position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
- 22V624000 MinorAug 12, 2022 · 188,397 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Impreza years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2018, 64; 2019, 63; 2017, 32. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (42%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the Subaru Impreza?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V292000 (2023), 22V624000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the Subaru Impreza?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 17,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.