1999 Subaru Impreza Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 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
- Suspension624.0%
- Transmission312.0%
- Seat belts28.0%
- Airbags28.0%
- Brakes28.0%
- Driver assistance28.0%
- Fuel system28.0%
- Visibility14.0%
- Engine14.0%
- Other / unspecified14.0%
- Powertrain (other)14.0%
- Steering14.0%
- Tires & wheels14.0%
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 99 SUBARU IMPREZA RS'S REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. I'VE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THE BEARING BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS A NEW PROCEDURE FOR REPAIRING THE WHEEL BEARING, WHICH WOULD INDICATE SUBARU'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB
REPEATED REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURES EVER 30K MILES.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
NAR 02/13/2003 ANSWERED BY TIS. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE HIS CLUTCH REPLACED TWICE DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR WHILE STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY, HOWEVER SUBARU REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIRS. *JB
REAR WHEELS REQUIRED NEW BEARINGS...HARSH GRINDING NOISE AS CAR SPED UP...WARRANTIED ITEM. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT I'VE DROPPED THE CAR OFF TWICE IN 3 MONTHS FOR SIMILAR NOISES...BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND WHEELS.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL CAR SEAT IN ORDER TO USE THE TETHER STRAP A MOUNTING BRACKET HAS TO BE INSTALLED. SUBARU INSISTED THAT CONTACT PAY FOR THIS BRACKET, HE FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. HE WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THIS MOUNTING BRACKET BECAUSE FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS CHILD, BUT HE FELT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON AUGUST 27, 2005.*AK
MANUFACTURER SHOULD MAKE SEAT BELT EXTENDERS AVAILABLE FOR CONSUMERS WHEN NEEDED. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BECAUSE THE FASTENER IS SO FAR BEHIND HER, IT PULLS THE SHOULDER STRAP UP UNDER HER RIGHT ARM WHICH CAUSES PAINFUL CHAFING. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WAS INJURED. TS *JB
CONSUMER WAS HIT FROM THE REAR BY A VAN, PUSHED FORWARD, AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR WHEELS REQUIRED NEW BEARINGS...HARSH GRINDING NOISE AS CAR SPED UP...WARRANTIED ITEM. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT I'VE DROPPED THE CAR OFF TWICE IN 3 MONTHS FOR SIMILAR NOISES...BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND WHEELS.*AK
BRAKES ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR OF FRONT ROTORS AND PADS, AND BRAKE SENSOR ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND WHILE DRIVING OFF DEALER'S LOT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPING DISTANCE, ALMOST CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO DRIFT OFF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FAILED. *AK *JB
AIRFLOW METER/SENSOR FAILED AT 75,000. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS, I DISCOVERED THE ENTRANCE TO THE FUEL FILLER STARTED TO RUST. IT WILL COST ME $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
FUEL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE FUEL RAILS IN WEATHER BELOW 30' F. SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IS LEAKING DUE TO THE RUBBER HOSES UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT BEING TIGHTENED ENOUGH. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS MATTER HOWEVER I'M PAST MY WARRANTY PERIOD. CONSIDERING THIS LEAK IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE TURBOCHARGER THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
REARVIEW MIRROR WAS BEING ADJUSTED AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD WHICH ACTION BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE WINDSHIELD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY SINCE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE PRESSURE INVOLVED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT. THE FACTORY REP SAID THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE IT. I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, KATE CLARK, WHO ALSO SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER I COULDN'T SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE FACTORY REP, SO NEITHER HE NOR CUSTOMER SERVICE EVEN ASKED HOW THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. A PROPERLY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD ON A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BREAK FROM MERE CONTACT WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR, IN MY OPINION, AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY AND SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE IT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SUBARU DECIDED TO NO LONGER SERVICE MY VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. LEADING UP TO WHEN I HAD TO SELL THE VEHICLE ON 8/23/2001 I HAD THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AT 43,460 MILES. THE LEFT HEAD GASKET CHANGED ON 12/28/2001 AT 48,817 MILES. THE AIRFLOW METER SENSOR WAS RECALLED ON 7/22/2002 WITH 55,797 MILES. THE CLUTCH WOULD STICK TO THE FLOOR SO I HAD TO HAVE THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER GRAVITY BLED ON 7/22/2002 AS WELL. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT AGAIN ON 8/9/2002 WITH 57,454. ALL THE ABOVE THING WERE REPLACE AND PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. I PERSONALLY HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT VALVE COVER GASKET, ALTERNATOR BELT, O2 SENSOR, KNOCK SENSOR, FUEL PUMP, AND EXHAUST Y PIPE. I SOLD THE CAR BECAUSE THE HEAD GASKET STARTED TO GO OUT AGAIN, THE CLUTCH NEED REPLACED, AND THE TRANSMISSION GEAR OIL, AND MOTOR OIL WERE BOTH LEAKING. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO SUBARU (LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY) AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE SCHEDULED COOLANT SERVICE PERFORMED AT SUBARU. WELL I HAD WITHIN A COUPLE MILES. SUBARU CHANGED THE FIRST HEAD GASKET AT 48,817 MILES AND IT WHEN OUT AGAIN AT 82,796 MILES A DIFFERENCE OF AROUND 33,000 AND THE SERVICE IS SCHEDULED FOR EVERY 30,000 MILES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR WHEELS REQUIRED NEW BEARINGS...HARSH GRINDING NOISE AS CAR SPED UP...WARRANTIED ITEM. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT I'VE DROPPED THE CAR OFF TWICE IN 3 MONTHS FOR SIMILAR NOISES...BRAKES, TRANSMISSION AND WHEELS.*AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY VIN # IS CORRECT. YOUR COMPUTER IS OFF. ANYWAY, THE REAR WHEEL BEARING (RIGHT SIDE) ON MY SUBARU 2.5RS HAS GONE BAD WITH ONLY 500 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MANY SUBARU 2.5RS OWNERS OVER THE INTERNET THIS LAST WEEK AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SIEZING UP WITH VERY LOW MILES ON THEIR CARS. ONE MAN REPORTED HE IS TAKING HIS 2.5RS IN FOR THE THIRD TIME TO HAVE THE BEARINGS REPLACED, WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES ON THE CAR. AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, EVERYONE THAT IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING THE SAME "NO ONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM" ATTITUDE FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE DEALERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BUT WE ARE COMPLAINING, AND NO ONE IS LISTENING. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFFECT IN THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS OR IN THE INSTALLATION PROCCESS AT THE FACTORY. A SEIZED REAR WHEEL BEARING COULD CAUSE AN OPERATOR TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. YOU SHOULD BE GETTING MORE COMPLAINTS ON THIS DEFFECT IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS. OWNERS ARE COMING TOGETHER VIA THE INTERNET AND VOICING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, AND ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO FILE WITH THE NHTSA IF THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I MORE THAN WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK YOU MAY HAVE TO MY E-MAIL OR TELPHONE. I WILL ALSO ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY I CAN IF NEEDED. THANKYOU FOR HEARING MY CONCERNS ON THIS MATTER.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILED/WORN REAR WHEEL HUBS ONLY AFTER 8500 MILES. WHIRRING/GRINDING NOISE THAT INCREASES WITH SPEED. UNDER WARRANTY, BUT OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGES.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING 45MPH RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. TOOK TO TIRE STORE & HAD TIRE REPLACED. THE BACK TIRE BLEW IN 21 JUL 99. IT WAS A GAS STATION ATTENDANT WHO INFORMED OWNER THAT TIRE HAD BUBBLES ON INSIDE WALL. ALL THE TIRES WITH VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE. BRIDESTONE, THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, CLAIMS THAT THE DEFECTS WERE DUE TO POOR ROAD CONDITIONS. *AK *ML
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .