RoadVitals

2006 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.
56
Latest Jun 27, 2025
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.
10
Latest Jan 2, 2020
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.
1
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 56 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Subaru Impreza, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and fuel system categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 137 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

  • Airbags2030.3%
  • Engine1218.2%
  • Fuel system710.6%
  • Brakes69.1%
  • Powertrain (other)57.6%
  • Visibility23.0%
  • Body & structure23.0%
  • Exterior lighting23.0%

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

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

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
20V001000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
258,813 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKA-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
111,562 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
127,547 units potentially affected
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-20View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE11011ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Front suspension control arm failure

Opened Apr 7, 2011
Closed Sep 23, 2011

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARMLed to recall 11V464000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 56
Airbags
Filed Jun 27, 2025

My vehicle contains faulty airbags that can launch shrapnel at the passenger if it goes off, this is a common recall for many vehicles. This airbag system can put everyone in the car at risk if it ever triggers. Subaru has refused multiple times to fix this recall because the vehicle was originally Canadian and the VIN number is not in the US branches data base. Over the past 2 years I have made efforts to both Canadian and American corporate branches as well as multiple dealerships. At the end of the day the duty to transfer the VIN between databases falls on the dealers efforts to reach out and the corporate branches cooperation—neither of which are happening. The vehicle is fully and legally imported, registered in California, stock, and has passed smog very recently.

NHTSA ID
11669766
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2025

I was driving home, and my foot fell to the floor when I hit the brakes. Thankfully, I was coasting to the front of my house, so I was able to stop using the hand brake. Upon inspection and professional opinion from the Subaru dealership, the brake line rusted through just after the rear junction block, identical to the recall NUMBER: WQK-47. However, my VIN was not included in this recall, and I am learning on YouTube and from the dealership that this is a common failure with my year and model vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11656090
Incident
Apr 18, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2024

Fuel lines under intake manifold leaking during cold weather. Causing smell to be pungent in cabin and in engine bay. Inspection upon request is allowed. Adds safety risk for potential fire in engine bay. Has not be confirmed or inspected by nobody else at this moment for this car specifically, however it is a common issue for these model Subarus. There were no warning lamps or other symptoms prior to the failure. First appear when temperatures started to drop below 40 degrees F.

NHTSA ID
11565345
Incident
Dec 18, 2023
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 13, 2022

Car passed inspection in May of 2022 and just last month (September) the passenger side control arm completely rotted out. I had to make emergency repairs but then discovered there is a recall.

NHTSA ID
11489088
Incident
Sep 13, 2022
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2020

WHILE MY 75 YEAR-OLD MOTHER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE JOB SHE STILL WORKS TO PAY HER BILLS, THE BRAKES ON HER SUBARU FAILED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT OF THE BUILDING WHERE SHE WORKS. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE PLACE AND STOP THE VEHICLE, AND THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT INJURED. UPON INSPECTION, WE DISCOVERED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THE LINES LEAKED IN THE RIGHT REAR AREA, NEAR THE WHEEL. INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I DISCOVERED A HUGE RECALL OF SUBARUS AROUND THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY MOM'S. BUT ACCORDING TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND NHTSA, UNFORTUNATELY, MY MON'S CAR IS FOR SOME REASON NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL. THAT SEEMS LIKE AN OVERSIGHT, BECAUSE THE LINES ARE DEFINITELY CORRODED, AND MY MOM LIVES IN THE SAME 'SALT BELT' AREA (WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS) WHERE THE 600K+ OTHER, COVERED, SUBARUS ARE. I KNOW RECALL INVESTIGATIONS TAKE TIME, SO THIS COMPLAINT PROBABLY WON'T HELP US ' MOM WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE LINES, WHICH WILL LIKELY COST ALL OF HER LIMITED MONTHLY INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY AND JOBS ' BUT IF MAKING THIS COMPLAINT HELPS OTHERS, IT'S WELL WORTH THE EFFORT. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID
11360422
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 20, 2020

HARD START, ROUGH IDLE, DROVE 3 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, CODE: P0021 BANK1/2. DID RESEARCH. IT'S A BANJO BOLT FILTER/SCREEN MINE WAS CRACKED IN HALF INSIDE THE OIL LINE RESTRICTING OIL TO THE TURBO. MANAGED TO REMOVE ONE EASILY ACCESSIBLE BANJO SCREEN WHICH FIXED HALF THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER BOLT VIRTUALLY NOT ACCESSIBLE BY ME. ALMOST ALL TURBO VEHICLES FROM SUBARU EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AS CODE: P0021 OR JUST CATASTROPHIC TURBO/ENGINE/COOLANT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11340469
Incident
Jul 9, 2020
Mileage
200,100 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 19, 2019

POSSIBLY RELATED TO TAKATA RECALL AFTER LOCAL DEALER SERVICED THE RECALL, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER HAS SAID IT IS FAULT CODE 26, WHICH IS RELATED TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR. THIS PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND WIDE SPREAD, A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH WILL GARNISH TENS AND POSSIBLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CITING THIS FAILURE. ON TOP OF SUBARU NOT BEING FORTHCOMING WITH THIS INFORMATION, THE DEALER HAS ONLY MADE PROBLEM WORSE IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO FIX WHAT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE WIRING ISSUE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO FIX ON THEIR OWN. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE THIS CODE IS PRESENT. WE BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED TO RECALL AS THE PASSENGER WIRING HARNESS IS INVOLVED IN THE REPAIR AND COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED OR THE PROBLEM WAS THEIR AND THE DEALER DID NOT TELL US ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
11244924
Incident
Jul 22, 2019
Mileage
112,325 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2018

IN COLD TEMPERATURES WHEN STARTING THE CAR THERE IS A SMELL OF RAW FUEL THAT FILLS THE CABIN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND AIR IT OUT BEFORE IT WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. SUBARU HAS TSB'S ON THIS ISSUE FOR MANY VEHICLE MODELS AND YEARS BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK IT IS WORTHY OF A RECALL. THIS ISSUE FIRST STARTED FOR ME ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE.

NHTSA ID
11155855
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

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

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

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

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
2006Viewing5610152.4
2005756361.5
2004968460.2
2003626564.6
20022926458.8
2001113059.0
2000414052.4
1999224048.4
1998303044.1
1997303057.1
1996203056.7
1995464268.4
1994832—
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.