VehicleVerdict

1994 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1994 Subaru Impreza — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Impreza years?

Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission338%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)225%
Speed Control113%
Suspension113%
Visibility & Wipers113%

Does the 1994 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.

98V315000AirbagsDecember 11, 1998 · 95,673 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AUTO-TRAN: TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE; DRIVER ACCELERATED; VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 13, 1995 · crash

1994 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 1994 Subaru Impreza reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1994 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Subaru Impreza under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.