SubaruImpreza2020Overview/subaru/impreza/2020/base/

2020 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Impreza.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2020 Subaru Impreza pairs an automatic continuously variable transmission (AV-S7) with EPA-estimated fuel economy of 28 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Owner feedback for this model year centers on 85 total complaints, predominantly in the visibility/wiper category, alongside a single recall. Within the Impreza’s complaint history spanning 1990 to 2026, the 2020 edition’s count is a fraction of the 300-complaint peak seen in 2002, signaling a notably more reliable point in the nameplate’s evolution.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · 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
Tire sizeP225/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3034 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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.

8.4–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.40 sec — 2017 2.0i Sport Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-48.40 sec16.60 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-49.00 sec16.90 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.10 sec17.10 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.20 sec17.10 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.30 sec17.20 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.60 sec17.40 sec152 hpAWD
20172.0i Sport Sedan 2.0L F-49.70 sec17.40 sec152 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30-35°22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts 1-1026 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 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2020 Subaru Impreza sits at the end of a complaint surge that peaked in 2017–2019, with 2020 showing a sharp improvement: complaints dropped from 191 in 2019 to 85, and recalls fell from 5 to just 1. This positions 2020 as a cleaner year compared to its immediate predecessors, with zero federal investigations. The TSB count of 388 remains elevated, reflecting the generation's complexity rather than active defects. The complaint data reveals a concentration issue: Visibility/Wiper complaints account for 49 of the 85 total, suggesting a dominant, identifiable problem area rather than scattered failures. Crash and fire complaints are minimal at 2 each. The trendline after 2020 shows sustained improvement, indicating the manufacturer addressed these issues effectively. **Concrete takeaway:** The 2020 Impreza is a relatively favorable year within this generation—it carries the legacy of prior-year issues but benefits from reduced complaint volume and minimal recalls, with the wiper/visibility system being the primary watch item on a used unit.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
388
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
85
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 85 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper49
Unknown Or Other11
Visibility4
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper3
Air Bags3
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance3
Engine2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may… Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 388 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.