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2012 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car defined by specific mechanical parameters, such as its 4.5-quart engine oil capacity requiring 0W-20 API viscosity. However, its legacy is more distinctly shaped by its reliability data, which includes 242 total owner complaints and six recalls largely centered around airbag issues. When contextualized within the Impreza’s broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2026, this model year falls well below the all-time peak of 300 complaints seen in 2002 and significantly above the historical low of one complaint in 2026. This positioning means researchers should view the 2012 model as a moderately troubled iteration with notable safety grievances rather than an extreme outlier in the vehicle's lineage.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2910 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2012 2.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20122.0i Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Premium 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Premium Sedan 2.0L F-48.60 sec16.60 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.00 sec17.00 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Limited Sedan 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.40 sec17.10 sec148 hpAWD
20122.0i Limited Sedan 2.0L F-49.60 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD
20142.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12.0 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance12.0 ohms
Engine Compression148-185 psi. 7 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket59 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket114 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 167.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-3522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,200 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,200 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 miClutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 miFuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Subaru Impreza marks the first year of a new generation and shows a sharp spike in complaints (242) compared to the 2011 model (57), while recalls drop from 14 to 6. This places 2012 at the start of a problematic arc: the following year, 2013, also has high complaints (248), but by 2014 complaints fall to 108, suggesting early teething issues. The 2012 model’s top complaint areas are air bags (76) and engine (39), with 10 crash and 4 fire complaints, and an unusually high 512 TSBs—indicating many issues were addressed through service bulletins rather than recalls. The data does not specify root causes, but the complaint count is significantly elevated relative to both the prior generation and later years of this generation. Given the high complaint volume and the pattern of first-year problems, the 2012 Impreza is not a recommended buy; a 2014 or 2015 model would offer a more reliable experience.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
512
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
242
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 242 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags76
Engine39
Power Train18
Air Bags,Seats9
Electrical System7
Steering7
Vehicle Speed Control6
Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

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… 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…

16V738000Electrical SystemReported 13/10/2016

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 512 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Impreza take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.