Research · Subcompact Cars

2000 Subaru ImprezaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2000 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve power train (10) and suspension (8). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
41
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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 Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2000 – Oct 2017
  1. Power train10
  2. Suspension8
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  4. Engine and engine cooling3
  5. Vehicle speed control3
  6. Visibility3
  7. Wheels3
  8. Fuel system, gasoline2
  9. Tires2

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
2014109
201579
201675
2019194
202432
20255
20261
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

10 reports
“I HAVE A 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON....I BOUGHT IT NOV 2004 TO USE IN MY BUSINESS. I BOUGHT IT MAINLY BECAUSE SUBARUS ARE RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL CARS...IT HAD 55,000 MILES ON IT...NOW IT HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH IS REALLY SLIPPING BADLY; NOT GOOD WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY INTO TRAFFIC. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH SUBARUS THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH UNTIL ALMOST 200,000 MILES. I REALLY FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH MY PARTICULAR CAR FOR IT TO BE SLIPPING SO BADLY AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE...IM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THE CAR AND I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH....IT IS NOW DEC 14, 05 AND IT HAS BEEN SLIPPING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW. IS THERE ANYTHING THE MANUFACTURER CAN DO TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM? I LOVE THE CAR BUT AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2005Power trainODI 10145425

Suspension

8 reports1 crash
“RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 63948, 67346, 84427 MILES. HAD TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE CAR (NEW) THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING RATTLING INSIDE OF IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM WASN'T DANGEROUS, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2008SuspensionODI 10236253

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports
“ABS SYSTEM TOO SENSITIVE. SYSTEM ENGAGE OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT THEN FAILED TO ALLOW THE BRAKES TO GRIP AGAIN RESULTING IN A NEAR COLLISION WITH A TOLLBOOTH. PEDAL WILL DROP TO FLOOR WITH NEAR 0 BRAKING. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2002Service brakes, hydraulicODI 758822
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
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 Nov 12, 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 AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202622$2,750404
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$2,850423
  • Impreza AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,750/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Subaru Impreza as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026
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

2000 Impreza questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Subaru Impreza have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 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 2000 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (10), suspension (8), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Subaru Impreza at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026