The 1996 Subaru Impreza has 3 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (5 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints20filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 09E025000 · May 11, 2009 · 42,540 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009 · 16,270 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 08E050000 · Aug 11, 2008 · 1,921 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1996 Subaru Impreza 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Impreza
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Impreza
24mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Impreza AWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Impreza AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Impreza AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Impreza Wagon AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Impreza Wagon AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal
5
4
0
4
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder
5
1
1
0
—
Wheels Hub; Multi piece
3
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Recliner
3
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension Multiple axle
2
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system › Injectors
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Retractor
1
1
0
1
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 9, 2003Engine and engine cooling › Engine WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE AND THEN DRASTICALLY LOSES POWER NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED ABOVE 40MPH. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT.*AK
Oct 26, 1999Suspension › Multiple axle AT 61629 AND 63512 MILES WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AT DEALERSHIP. BEARINGS WERE BEING GREASED WITH WRONG KIND OF GREASE AND THE AMOUNT OF GREASE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR PROPER USE. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *YH
Jun 24, 2000 · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal PLEASE NOTE; BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME WHILE THE SUBARU IMPREZA WAS IN PARK. *AK
Jan 2, 1999Tires ALL FOUR TIRES SPLIT AROUND THE SIDEWALLS AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185-70 R14 )
Jan 25, 2000Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor THE NUT THAT ATTACHES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO THE MOTOR CAME OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Jul 30, 1999 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Jun 26, 1999Wheels › Hub ONGOING PROBLEM WITH WHEEL COVER: CAPS NOT STAYING ON. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.