1996 Subaru Impreza Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 25%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Subaru Impreza, 25% of the 20 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 1999-05“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 1997-05“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. When vehicle hit bridge, the passenger's side.”
NHTSA complaint #816309, filed 1997-09Related service bulletins
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2024 | 7 | 22% |
| 2022 | 2 | 14% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 25 | 10% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 7 | 15% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% |
| 2007 | 6 | 9% |
| 2006 | 6 | 11% |
| 2005 | 6 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 23% |
| 2002 | 60 | 21% |
| 2001 | 3 | 27% |
| 2000 | 5 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 25% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1996 Subaru Impreza
5 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology