1996 Subaru Impreza Problems
- Complaints
- 20filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Subaru Impreza (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1996 Subaru Impreza. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and wheels (3). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags5 25%
- Brakes5 25%
- Wheels3 15%
- Engine cooling2 10%
- Seats2 10%
- Suspension2 10%
- Fuel system1 5.0%
- Other or unknown1 5.0%
- Seat belts1 5.0%
- Tires1 5.0%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Consumer was driving at 65 MPH when she pressed on the brakes to avoid hitting car ahead. Abs brakes locked up and the vehicle began fishtailing. This is the third time vehicle fishtailed due to ABS failure. The vehicle hit a bridge, the passenger's side air bag deployed with such force that it shattered the shattered proof windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #811999, filed 1997-05Brakes: “Brakes failed and started to smoke on a hill. I have driven for 20 years, with many different cars. If traffic had been slightly different my wife and I could be dead.”
NHTSA complaint #706896, filed 1999-05Wheels: “Hub caps are difficult to remove and reinstall. The service dealer's tech. Broke one trying to remove the cover. The covers (4) have not stayed on after reinstallation. If the dealer can not install them properly, how is the consumer going to install them properly?”
NHTSA complaint #700944, filed 1999-01Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10022640, filed 2003-06Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Subaru Impreza. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Subaru Impreza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Impreza FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Impreza AWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Subaru Impreza in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA97010Oversensitive air bag deploymentClosed · Apr 30, 1997
- PE96075Oversensitive air bag deploymentClosed · Dec 18, 1996
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10240110Jul 11, 2023Equipment. This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This…
- 10219492Aug 23, 2022Equipment. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491Aug 23, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915Mar 18, 2022Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or…
- 10198758Jun 17, 2021Equipment, Electrical system. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315Feb 1, 2021Equipment. To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Aug 4, 2020Equipment. Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543Apr 30, 2020Equipment. All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019Brakes. This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to…
Other model years of the Subaru Impreza
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 2,700 | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 32 | 36,292 | 2 | 5 | 30 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2022 | 14 | — | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 14 | 1,700 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 85 | 7,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 194 | 11,700 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 86 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 152 | 18,500 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 62 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 125 | 14,953 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 75 | 26,258 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 77 | 36,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 108 | 49,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 251 | 61,590 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 243 | 45,825 | 6 | 4 | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 58 | 38,000 | 14 | — | 22 | 24 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 46 | 47,800 | 15 | — | 21 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 104 | 64,000 | 14 | — | 21 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 176 | 48,150 | 14 | — | 22 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 68 | 49,890 | 9 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 56 | 61,728 | 10 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 72,072 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 96 | 65,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 62 | 64,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 292 | 62,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 11 | 42,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 41 | 64,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 22 | 67,750 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 30 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 99,550 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 46 | 132,062 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 33 | 158,850 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Impreza model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1996 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Subaru Impreza is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.
Has the 1996 Subaru Impreza been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Subaru Impreza get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Subaru Impreza (Impreza, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.