1996 Subaru Impreza
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Subaru › Impreza › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Subaru Impreza. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1996 Subaru Impreza. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
20 complaints4 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
When driving vehicle begins to vibrate and then drastically loses power not being able to maintain speed above 40mph. dealer has diagnosed problem as a misfire on cylinder 2, but has been unable to correct.*ak
- Suspension › Multiple axle
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
- Air bags › Frontal
Please note; both airbags deployed at the same time while the subaru impreza was in park. *Ak
- Tires
All four tires split around the sidewalls and required replacement( dot number: tire size: 185-70 R14 )
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
The nut that attaches the windshield wipers to the motor came off. Windshield wipers became inoperable, obstructing the view of the driver. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak
- Suspension › Multiple axle
Rear wheel bearings required replacement. *yc
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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
- Wheels › Hub
Ongoing problem with wheel cover: caps not staying on. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Unknown or other
A stuck valve caused the car to misfire and the check engine light to go on. it took subaru 3 months to figure it out. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
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
- Wheels › Hub
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?
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti lock brakes grinding with noise, intermittent brake loss.
- Air bags › Frontal
While making a left hand turn driver's and passanger's airbags deployed, causing vehicle to crash. Driver sustained injuries, and vehicle was totaled.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Fuel injectors failed.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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. When vehicle hit bridge, the passenger's side. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Vehicle has no head restraints; also, seatback IS short. One could get a broken neck if in the rear during an accident. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
Vehicle has no headrests. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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 shattered the shattered proof windshield. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was involved in a rearend collision traveling about 10 mph and both driver's and passesnger's side air bags deployed, consumer also stated that there was little to no damage to the front bumper of the vehicle, pe96-075. *ak
- Wheels › Multi piece
Hubcaps on vehicle designed to deter vandalism, and can only be removed by pounding them with a rubber mallet. *Dh
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10240110This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
- 10234261Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
- 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
- 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10163525This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals.
- 10161824Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
- 10161813To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10037968Subaru: there IS a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
- 10019343Rubbing mark on timing belt. Subaru.
- 10000642New procedure for replacing rear wheel bearings.
- 626926Information regarding seat belt latch slides to the lower seat belt anchor. Updated
- 608198Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may exhibit first gear popping out while driving.
- 605778Information on installing rear differential protector .
- 46649Accessory protective bumper cover adhesion.
Every Subaru Impreza model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.