1996 Subaru Impreza: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2000
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 1999
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 1999
Show 7 more owner reports
“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?”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 1998
“While making a left hand turn driver's and passanger's airbags deployed, causing vehicle to crash. Driver sustained injuries, and vehicle was totaled.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 1997
“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. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 1997
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 1997
“Consumer was involved in a rearend collision traveling about 10 mph and both driver's and passesnger's side air bags deployed, consumer also stated that there was little to no damage to the front bumper of the vehicle, pe96-075. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 1997
“Vehicle has no head restraints; also, seatback is short. One could get a broken neck if in the rear during an accident. *ak”Owner report · Seats · Jun 1996
“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. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 1996
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impreza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Subaru Impreza reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Subaru Impreza. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1996 Subaru Impreza have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.