VehicleVerdict

1993 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1993 Subaru Impreza sits mid-pack among Impreza years: 48 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 69, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 17 reports (35% of the total).

48

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Impreza years?

Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted343 complaints1990: 2 complaints1993: 48 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 69 complaints1996: 25 complaints1997: 38 complaints1998: 55 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 54 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 339 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 113 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 68 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 249 complaints2009: 149 complaints2010: 60 complaints2011: 75 complaints2012: 337 complaints2013: 343 complaints2014: 157 complaints2015: 99 complaints2016: 108 complaints2017: 162 complaints2018: 181 complaints2019: 220 complaints2020: 100 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 50 complaints2025: 8 complaints
Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers1735%
Airbags1123%
Fuel System613%
Brakes510%
Transmission36%
Electrical System24%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Body & Structure12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 1993 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

93V072000Fuel SystemApril 27, 1993 · 3,351 units

Defect

THE FUEL FILLER SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE LEAKAGE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Consequence

LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSED TO A SOURCEOF IGNITION.

Remedy

A MODIFIED REPLACEMENT FUEL VENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE FUEL FILLER SYSTEM TO REDUCE LEAKING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED DEEP CUTS AND SCRATCHES IN THE GLASS AND ARE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE WITH EACH USE OF THE WINDOW, CAUSING LIGHT TO REFLECT AT NIGHT AND BLOCK VIEW WHICH MEASURES THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT IT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN REAR. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & STOPPED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM FOR INJURIES. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 21, 2000 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE FILLER PIPE WAS LEAKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FUEL.THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V072000 INDICATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 1, 2009

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HEARD CLICKING NOISE, CV JOINT WENT OUT, LOSS ALL VEHICLE POWER, CV JOINT REPLACED BY OWNER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 15, 1996

1993 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 1993 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 48 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Impreza year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1993 Impreza problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (17 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).

Does the 1993 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impreza years to avoid are 2013, 2002, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2016, 2005. The cleanest record among Impreza years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.