NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2001 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve tires (3) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 26 |
| 1997 | 34 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 296 |
| 2003 | 64 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2007 | 68 |
| 2008 | 209 |
| 2009 | 113 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 251 |
| 2014 | 108 |
| 2015 | 79 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
“DRIVING ALONG THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I NOTICED THAT IN THE SPECIFIC LOCATION OF THE FAILURE, THE SIDEWALL WAS EXTREMELY SOFT; UNLIKE THE REST OF THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN BACK TO COSTCO; BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE. THE TIRE HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT; DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY. I DO STILL HAVE THE FAILED TIRE, AND TWO OTHER TIRES JUST LIKE IT ARE STILL ON THE CAR. THE TIRE IS A BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 205/55R16 91W, ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE. *NM”
“AFTER READING ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE SUBARU WRX ABS PROBLEMS, I NOW FEEL LIKE THE ISSUE IS BROADER THAN THE NHTSA RECALL SUGGESTS. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A SITE TO FILE THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT.*AK I DRIVE A 2001 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS. THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE INCREDIBLY SENSITIVE TO SMALL BUMPS AND UNDULATIONS IN THE ROAD. IF THE CAR HITS A BUMP WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE ABS SYSTEM BEGINS PUMPING THE BRAKE WHICH CAUSES, IN MY OPINION, LENGTHENED STOPPING DISTANCES AND A FEELING OF LACK OF CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS EASILY DUPLICATED.”
“TL* - THE CONSUMER BLACKED OUT AND DOESN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL POST AND THEN TWO TREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OF FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG FAILED NOT TO DEPLOY. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Impreza AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Impreza AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Impreza AWD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
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.
Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (3), service brakes, hydraulic (3), air bags (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Subaru Impreza at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).