Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Subcompact Cars

1996 Subaru ImprezaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 1996 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve air bags (7) and service brakes, hydraulic (5). The EPA rates it 22–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–24mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
26
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Aug 11, 2008NHTSA 08E050000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 1996 – Jun 2003
  1. Air bags7
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  3. Engine and engine cooling3
  4. Wheels3
  5. Suspension2
  6. Seats2
  7. Tires1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Seat belts1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199626
199734
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002296
200364
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008209
2009113
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201579
201675
2019194
202432
20255
20261
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

7 reports5 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 1999Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 844059

Service brakes, hydraulic

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 1999Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 706896

Engine and engine cooling

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2003Engine and engine coolingODI 10024335
All 1996 Impreza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impreza
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700370
Impreza
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,700370
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800386
Impreza AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Impreza Wagon AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
  • Impreza
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3641
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Impreza questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Subaru Impreza have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (7), service brakes, hydraulic (5), engine and engine cooling (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Subaru Impreza at 22–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026