VehicleVerdict

1996 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 1996 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.

25

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Impreza years?

Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 1996 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, 1996 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags520%
Brakes520%
Tires & Wheels416%
Seats312%
Suspension28%
Engine28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Fuel System14%
Other14%
Seat Belts14%

Does the 1996 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.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 5, 1997 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 5, 1997 · crash

“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?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 27, 1998

“VEHICLE HAS NO HEAD RESTRAINTS; ALSO, SEATBACK IS SHORT. ONE COULD GET A BROKEN NECK IF IN THE REAR DURING AN ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · June 15, 1996

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 26, 1999

1996 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 1996 Subaru Impreza reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1996 Impreza problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (5 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 1996 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 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.