RoadVitals

1994 Subaru Impreza

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
8
Latest Oct 12, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Subaru Impreza, most frequently naming the transmission, heating & air conditioning and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 19 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission337.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%
  • Visibility112.5%

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

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
98V315000

AIR BAGS

Dec 11, 1998
95,673 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.
The risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA97010ClosedEngineering Analysis

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Apr 30, 1997
Closed Dec 23, 1998

IN ITS LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 1998, SUBARU STATED THAT THE VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ABOVE WILL BE RECALLED.SUBARU DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOWING/TIE-DOWN HOOKS.REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V-315 FOR DETAILS.

AIR BAGSLed to recall 98V315000
PE96075ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Dec 18, 1996
Closed Apr 30, 1997

ODI HAS REVIEWED 33 COMPLAINTS OF OVERSENSITIVE' AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT (I.E., ANY NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT) RECEIVED BY ODI AND SUBARU INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 SUBARU IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES AND ALL OTHER IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEMS IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE 1995 IMPREZA & LEGACY; THEY ARE LATE 1994-1996 IMPREZA AND ALL1995 & 1996 LEGACY (33 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 165,385 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT CERTAIN IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES - - LATE 1994 & EARLY 1995 IMPREZA AND ALL 1995 & EARLY 1996 LEGACY (29 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 95,678 VEHICLES) -- HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES WHICH ARE DIFFERENT IN VEHICLE STRUCTURE OR EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS (26 OF THE 29) INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE'S DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT WITH A CURB, BUMP, DIP, POTHOLE, ETC.IN THE REMAINING 3 COMPLAINTS, THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY OR WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.IN 13 OF THE 29 CASES, ONLY THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TOW HOOKS REPORTEDLY WERE FOUND DAMAGED OR SHOWED EVIDENCE OF IMPACT, AND IN 6 OTHER CASES BOTH TOW HOOKS AND OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS WERE REPORTEDLY DAMAGED OR IMPACTED; NO DETAILS WERE GIVEN IN THE 10 REMAINING CASES.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA97-010

AIR BAGS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Oct 12, 1999

WHILE DRIVING REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
850484
Incident
Oct 11, 1999
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 20, 1997

THE AIR COMPRESSOR UNIT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR INTERNAL PRESSURE, THE WHOLE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS PER DESIGN.

NHTSA ID
520477
Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 1997

CLICKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AS WELL AS WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. *AK

NHTSA ID
514802
Transmission
Filed Feb 11, 1997

CLICKING NOISE OCCURS WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, WHEN DRIVING OR WITH ENGINE OFF.

NHTSA ID
546687
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 24, 1996

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE LURCHED FOWARD, LACK OF POWER , AND BACKFIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
802859
Incident
Sep 20, 1996
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 12, 1996

ON THREE OCCASIONS THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR BROKE, PURCHASED CAR NEW . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

NHTSA ID
800753
Incident
May 1, 1995
Suspension
Filed Jun 21, 1996

FRONT SUSPENSION, BOLTS THAT SHAFT TO THE RIGHT FRONT MISSING, CAUSING THE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. *AK

NHTSA ID
985970
Incident
May 1, 1996
Transmission
Filed Dec 21, 1995
Crash reported

AUTO-TRAN: TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO REVERSE; DRIVER ACCELERATED; VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ID
976897
Incident
Dec 13, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

12-249-23R

EQUIPMENT

This 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.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

15-192-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This 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).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

09-51-08R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Impreza by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025400—
2024302053.2
2023420—
2022121049.5
2021142043.4
2020851044.8
20191935050.2
20181495050.0
20171257056.3
2016751043.2
2015772046.5
20141083055.2
20132494052.7
20122426154.1
20115714060.7
20104515050.7
200910315050.5
200817615051.6
2007689159.9
20065610152.4
2005756361.5
2004968460.2
2003626564.6
20022926458.8
2001113059.0
2000414052.4
1999224048.4
1998303044.1
1997303057.1
1996203056.7
1995464268.4
1994Viewing832—
1993333059.2
1990100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.