2012 SUBARU IMPREZA

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Shuddering or lurching during acceleration, especially from stops, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation or delayed engagement when shifting from park to drive, Transmission overheating warning light

Fix: Early TR580 CVTs suffer from valve body and chain/pulley wear. Subaru extended warranty coverage on some units. Replacement CVT is 8-12 labor hours; used units are gamble, remanufactured preferred. Fluid changes every 30k can delay failure but won't prevent it if defective.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000

Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: External oil seepage at cylinder head mating surface, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss without visible leaks, Overheating or fluctuating temperature gauge

Fix: The FB25 is better than old EJ25s but still prone to external head gasket weeps. Internal coolant leaks are less common but catastrophic. Requires engine-out or lifting for access; 16-20 labor hours including timing components, water pump, resurfacing. Always do both sides, cam/crank seals, and thermostat while open.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 quart per 1,000 miles or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust under acceleration, Rough idle and misfires, Low compression on cylinder test

Fix: Design flaw in early FB25 engines causes ring lands to crack, allowing oil burning. Subaru issued extended warranty (case-by-case). Requires short block replacement; 18-24 hours labor. No bandaid fix—it's full engine rebuild or replacement. Check oil level religiously if buying used.

Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under front of vehicle, Transmission running hot or overheating, Pink/red fluid dripping near radiator, Low transmission fluid level on dipstick or sensor warning

Fix: Steel lines rust through where they connect to radiator-mounted cooler, especially in salt states. Lines are cheap but access is tight; 2-3 hours labor. Must flush cooler and check for contamination. Some shops replace with upgraded stainless aftermarket lines.

Estimated cost: $350-650

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Humming or growling noise from rear that increases with speed, Noise changes pitch during turns, ABS or traction control warning lights, Vibration through body at highway speeds

Fix: Rear hub assemblies wear faster than fronts on AWD models. Bearing is pressed into knuckle; some techs replace whole hub assembly (easier), others press new bearing (cheaper). 2-3 hours per side. Do both rears if one fails and mileage is close—second will follow within 20k.

Estimated cost: $400-700 per side

Symptoms: Brake lights stuck on or not working, Cruise control won't set or disengages randomly, Push-button start won't shift out of park, Excessive brake pedal free play

Fix: Plastic brake light switch above pedal fails or goes out of adjustment. NHTSA recall 14V-303 covered some VINs. Switch is $30 part, 0.5 hour labor, but misdiagnosis is common—shops sometimes chase wiring gremlins first. Check for recall eligibility before paying.

Estimated cost: $80-150

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front suspension, Steering feels vague or wandering at highway speed, Uneven or cupped tire wear on front, Visible cracking or tearing in rubber bushings

Fix: Front lower control arm rear bushings tear, allowing arm to shift. Subaru sells whole arms (pricey); aftermarket sells bushing kits requiring press work. Most shops replace arms—1.5-2 hours per side plus alignment. Do both sides and get 4-wheel alignment after.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000 both sides with alignment