2022 SUBARU IMPREZA

Typical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 miles), Blue smoke on cold start or under load, Knocking/ticking noise that develops into rod knock, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0301-P0304), Sudden loss of compression in one or more cylinders

Fix: Short block replacement is the only viable fix once pistons/rings fail—8-12 labor hours for complete replacement. Some dealers have replaced entire long blocks under extended goodwill coverage if early enough, otherwise you're looking at complete engine rebuild or used JDM swap. Subaru issued service bulletin but no widespread recall despite pattern failures.

Estimated cost: $6,500-9,500

Typical onset: 40,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Pink or red fluid visible under vehicle (ATF mixing with coolant), Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Milky or contaminated coolant in overflow tank, Rough shifting or shuddering when cooler partially blocked

Fix: External CVT cooler lines corrode or crack at crimped fittings, internal radiator cooler can also fail allowing cross-contamination. Replace cooler assembly and flush both systems completely—3-4 hours labor. If caught late and ATF contaminated coolant, full CVT flush adds 2 hours and $300-400 in fluid.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Minor oil seepage visible at head/block interface, Slight oil smell after engine fully warmed, No coolant loss or overheating—purely external seep, Weeping shows on underside of heads near exhaust

Fix: The FB20 doesn't suffer the catastrophic internal head gasket failures of older EJ engines, but external seepage does happen. If minor, monitor only. Full head gasket job requires 12-14 hours—pull engine or work from underneath with subframe drop. Most owners defer until 150k+ miles unless seepage becomes significant drip.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible sag or torn rubber on rear transmission mount, Drivetrain feels loose when accelerating from stop

Fix: Rear trans mount (pitch stop mount) deteriorates from heat cycling near exhaust. Simple 1.5-2 hour job with basic hand tools—jack up trans slightly and swap mount. OEM part recommended over aftermarket as cheap versions fail within 20k miles.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Symptoms: Hairline crack originating from upper corner near mirror mount, Crack typically starts driver side A-pillar area, No impact point visible—stress crack from chassis flex, NHTSA opened investigation for 2017-2020 models, pattern continues in 2022

Fix: Factory windshield installation may have bonding issues causing stress concentration. Replacement windshield with proper bedding technique usually solves it—3 hours with calibration for Eyesight camera system. Some owners report recurrence even after replacement.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when engine is hot, Loss of power under acceleration above 4,000 RPM, Fuel pressure codes P0087 or P0190, Rough idle after sitting overnight

Fix: In-tank fuel pump strainer/filter can clog from debris or carbon particles in direct-injection system. Drop tank and replace entire pump assembly—4-5 hours. Not a scheduled maintenance item but should be inspected if fuel delivery issues arise. Some techs add inline pre-filter to prevent recurrence.

Estimated cost: $650-1,100