The 1999 Subaru Impreza has 4 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (6 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints22filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 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.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 06E049000 · May 24, 2006 · 27,176 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
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.
Fuel economy
Impreza AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 27 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
20 / 27 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 AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 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
2.5 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
20 / 27 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
20 / 27 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*
Suspension Rear; Front › Wheel bearing
6
0
0
0
52,975 mi
Power train Driveline › Differential unit; Manual transmission
4
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc
3
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Webbing
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
2
2
0
2
—
Vehicle speed control Cables
2
0
0
0
—
Steering Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Wheels
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield
1
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
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
Mar 4, 2009 · 68,000 milesFuel system, other 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS, I DISCOVERED THE ENTRANCE TO THE FUEL FILLER STARTED TO RUST. IT WILL COST ME $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Mar 1, 2006 · 67,500 milesSuspension › Rear MY 99 SUBARU IMPREZA RS'S REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. I'VE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THE BEARING BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A NEW PROCEDURE FOR REPAIRING THE WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WOULD INDICATE SUBARU'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB
Aug 27, 2005Child seat › Tether › Strap/webbing DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL CAR SEAT IN ORDER TO USE THE TETHER STRAP A MOUNTING BRACKET HAS TO BE INSTALLED. SUBARU INSISTED THAT CONTACT PAY FOR THIS BRACKET, HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. HE WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THIS MOUNTING BRACKET BECAUSE FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS CHILD, BUT HE FELT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON AUGUST 27, 2005.*AK
Dec 20, 2004 · 80,000 milesFuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail FUEL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE FUEL RAILS IN WEATHER BELOW 30' F. SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IS LEAKING DUE TO THE RUBBER HOSES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT BEING TIGHTENED ENOUGH. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS MATTER HOWEVER I'M PAST MY WARRANTY PERIOD. CONSIDERING THIS LEAK IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE TURBOCHARGER THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK
May 14, 2004 · 59,950 milesSuspension › Front › Wheel bearing REPEATED REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURES EVER 30K MILES.*AK
Feb 8, 2004 · 82,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SUBARU DECIDED TO NO LONGER SERVICE MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. LEADING UP TO WHEN I HAD TO SELL THE VEHICLE ON 8/23/2001 I HAD THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AT 43,460 MILES. THE LEFT HEAD GASKET CHANGED ON 12/28/2001 AT 48,817 MILES. THE AIRFLOW METER SENSOR WAS RECALLED ON 7/22/2002 WITH 55,797 MILES. THE CLUTCH WOULD STICK TO THE FLOOR SO I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER GRAVITY BLED ON 7/22/2002 AS WELL. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AGAIN ON 8/9/2002 WITH 57,454. ALL THE ABOVE THING WERE REPLACE AND PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. I PERSONALLY HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET, ALTERNATOR BELT, O2 SENSOR, KNOCK SENSOR, FUEL…
Feb 15, 2004 · 100,000 milesVehicle speed control › Cables WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO DRIFT OFF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FAILED. *AK *JB
Feb 9, 2004 · 75,000 milesVehicle speed control AIRFLOW METER/SENSOR FAILED AT 75,000. *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.