RoadVitals

1993 Subaru Impreza Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Jan 6, 2010
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Subaru Impreza, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Visibility1331.7%
  • Airbags1126.8%
  • Fuel system512.2%
  • Electrical24.9%
  • Powertrain (other)24.9%
  • Brakes24.9%
  • Body & structure24.9%
  • Suspension12.4%
  • Tires & wheels12.4%
  • Transmission12.4%
  • Seat belts12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID 862256 · filed May 22, 2000

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED DEEP CUTS AND CRATCHES IN THE GLASS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ID 516911 · filed Nov 4, 1997
All 13 reports naming visibility

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WE JUST PURCHASED A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA 4 DOOR SEDAN. YESTERDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2004 WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, OUR SUBARU WAS PROPELLED 5-15 FEET. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY WIFE AN I REQUIRED EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION. I JUST NOTICED THAT NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE SUBARU AIRBAGS IN 1994, BUT THERE ISN'T EVEN AN OPTION TO SEARCH FOR A SUBARU PROBLEMS IN 1993. *AK

NHTSA ID 10100633 · filed Nov 28, 2004

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE WENT UP ON CURVE, AND WHEN COMING DOWN BOTTOM OF CURVE. TOW HOOK CAME DOWN ON CURVE, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. THERES A RECALL ON 1997 VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT FOR 1996 VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID 878216 · filed Jan 16, 2001
All 11 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE FILLER PIPE WAS LEAKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FUEL.THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V072000 INDICATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 226,826. THE SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE VIN # PROVIDED IS AN INVALID NUMBER.

NHTSA ID 10298447 · filed Jan 6, 2010

FUEL, THROTTLE, AIR CONTROL VALVE. WHILE CAR IS RUNNING, IT HAS SUDDEN REPEATED ACCELERATIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *LA

NHTSA ID 10043151 · filed Oct 18, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID 862256 · filed May 22, 2000

ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 506064 · filed Aug 23, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, HEARD CLICKING NOISE, CV JOINT WENT OUT, LOSS ALL VEHICLE POWER, CV JOINT REPLACED BY OWNER. *AK

NHTSA ID 811104 · filed Apr 17, 1997

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID 506455 · filed Jul 19, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SUN ROOF LEAKS..

NHTSA ID 506054 · filed Aug 23, 1996

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID 506455 · filed Jul 19, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

REGARDING THE GAS GAUGE: GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. SHOWS AS BELOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL OVER 3 GALLONS OF FUEL LEFT. GOES UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER 93 IMPREZA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. RE: THE POWER LOCKS/CHILDPROOF SWITCH. I CANNOT OPEN THE BACK RIGHT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE CHILDPROOF SWITCH. NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH IS IN THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1987 SUBARU GL WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE.*AK

NHTSA ID 765418 · filed Aug 9, 2002

ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 506064 · filed Aug 23, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

RIGHT REAR AXLE BEARING SCORCED, REPLACE BEARING/SEALS/AXLE

NHTSA ID 515585 · filed Mar 13, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1993 SUBARU IMPREZA EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL TWICE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-90-0831. *JB

NHTSA ID 10213956 · filed Jan 3, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE. *AK

NHTSA ID 824412 · filed Jun 17, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.

NHTSA ID 516200 · filed Apr 3, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .