SubaruImpreza2015Overview/subaru/impreza/2015/base/

2015 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2015 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car fitted with an AV-S6 automatic transmission and an oil capacity of 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 API lubricant, earning an EPA rating of 28/36/31 mpg city/highway/combined. Across the model’s 1990–2026 complaint record, which spans from a high of 300 owner-reported issues in 2002 down to a single complaint for 2026, this model year registers 79 total owner complaints with “Unknown Or Other” identified as the leading concern, plus two recalls. That places it well below the nameplate’s peak trouble volume, marking the 2015 Impreza as a comparatively quiet year in the line’s documented reliability history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · 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 sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3020 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined28 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume97 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.

9.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.90 sec — 2015 2.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20152.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.50 sec148 hpAWD
20142.0i Sport Limited 5-door Hatchback 2.0L F-49.90 sec17.40 sec148 hpAWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.43 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant/antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.5-8.9
Engine OilSynthetic · 0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.1 qt
Fuel Tank Capacity14.5 gallons

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)575-775 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingTubo: 10, Non Turbo: 16 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.00-16.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM49-58 @ idle rpm
Engine CompressionTURBO / psi 196-254 / variance 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0039-0.0059 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0081-0.0095 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49 /; Front: 59; Rear: 49
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .870; Rear: .330
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake: 6.730

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 16.089 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt head washers and threads with clean engine oil

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
274.0 ft. lbs.74 ft. lbs
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
415.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1and2100 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,650 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 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 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 2015 Subaru Impreza sits within the fourth generation (2012–2016), a period marked by elevated technical service bulletins (TSBs) and fluctuating complaint volumes. Compared to 2012 (242 complaints) and 2013 (248 complaints), the 2015 model shows a notable decline to 79 complaints, aligning closer to the lower figures of 2014 (108) and 2016 (75). Recalls also dropped to just two in 2015, down from six in 2012 and four in 2013, suggesting improved production stability. The top complaint areas—electrical system and powertrain—mirror broader generational trends but lack a clear spike in fire or crash-related incidents (zero and five, respectively). This mid-cycle refinement implies Subaru addressed earlier issues without introducing new systemic risks. **For a used purchase, the 2015 Impreza appears to be a relatively strong year within its generation, offering lower complaint and recall exposure than its immediate predecessors.**

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
411
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
79
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 79 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other12
Electrical System12
Power Train7
Engine6
Steering6
Air Bags4
Visibility/Wiper3
Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

15V366000Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent BrakingReported 12/06/2015

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015 Legacy vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Outback vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to April 16, 2015, Impreza vehicles… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the driver assist system, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 411 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Impreza take?

5.1 qt of Synthetic 0W-20 API certified, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.