1996 Subaru Impreza Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1996 Subaru Impreza.

19951997
Complaints
25
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Fatalities
Recalls
0

Worst 1996 Subaru Impreza Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#15 complaints

Air Bags:Frontal

Crash-related:4
#23 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Crash-related:1
#32 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1996 Subaru Impreza.

Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Multiple Axle
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Hub
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Brake Master Cylinder
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Multi Piece
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1996 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Subaru Impreza Years

1996 Subaru Impreza — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1996 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1996 Subaru Impreza has 25 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1996 Subaru Impreza?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (5 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (3 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1996 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA complaints for the 1996 Subaru Impreza include 6 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1996 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1996 Subaru Impreza as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1996 Subaru Impreza?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 1996 Subaru Impreza

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