IsItAGoodCar

Common Problems with the
2012 Subaru Impreza Mk4 (GJ/GP)

Early Mk4 cars are the ones most commonly tied to oil-consumption complaints on the FB20 petrol engine.

3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

The 2012 period has 2 more issues than the Subaru Impreza Mk4 (GJ/GP) average across all year periods.

All Known Issues

Lineartronic CVT Valve Body Failure

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

The Mk4 Impreza’s CVT can suffer solenoid or valve body faults that show up as shunting, hesitation and warning-light clusters.

Estimated cost: £800–£1,800Affects: 2012–2016Often appears around: 60,000–100,000 miles

Typical symptoms

  • •Judder pulling away
  • •Transmission warning lights
  • •Delayed engagement

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Drive it from cold and then fully warm
  • ✓Check for smooth ratio changes
  • ✓Ask whether the CVT fluid has ever been replaced

Excessive Oil Consumption

ModerateEngine

Early FB20 engines can use oil quickly enough to require frequent top-ups between services, and neglected low oil levels can lead to bigger engine wear.

Most affected: 2.0i FB20

Estimated cost: Monitoring / £2,000+Affects: 2012–2014Often appears around: 40,000+ miles

Typical symptoms

  • •Low oil warning between services
  • •Noticeable oil use
  • •Sooty exhaust tip

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Check the dipstick during the viewing
  • ✓Ask the owner how often they top up
  • ✓Look for receipts for extra oil purchases

Air-Conditioning Condenser Damage

ModerateCooling System

The low-mounted condenser is vulnerable to stone damage and corrosion, leaving some cars with weak or completely failed air conditioning.

Estimated cost: £300–£650Affects: 2012–2016

Typical symptoms

  • •AC blows warm
  • •Cooling fades after regas
  • •Visible oily marks on condenser

What to inspect before you buy

  • ✓Test AC thoroughly from cold
  • ✓Inspect the condenser through the grille
  • ✓Be wary if a seller says it only needs gas again

Buying Tips for the 2012 Subaru Impreza Mk4 (GJ/GP)

  • ✓A cautious buyer should treat a dry dipstick on a 2012 car as a major warning sign, not a minor oversight.
2013–2014 Subaru Impreza Mk4 (GJ/GP)

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Other Subaru Impreza Mk4 (GJ/GP) Year Periods

20122013–20142015–2016

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