2006 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 2006 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
- Airbags2030.3%
- Engine1218.2%
- Fuel system710.6%
- Brakes69.1%
- Powertrain (other)57.6%
- Visibility23.0%
- Body & structure23.0%
- Exterior lighting23.0%
- Other / unspecified23.0%
- Tires & wheels23.0%
- Transmission23.0%
- Suspension23.0%
- Steering11.5%
- Interior & seats11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS CAR SIX MONTHS AGO FROM A SMALL DEALEERSHIP IN VACAVILLE, CA. I PAID HALF THE PRICE FOR THE CAR IN CASH THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AFTER THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT CLEARED THE STATE INSPECTION. NOT EVEN 4000 MILES AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE MOTOR IS BLOWN AND THERE IS THE TAKATA RECALL FROM 2016 THAT HAS NOT BEEN HANDLED. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR IN 09/2017.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009 WITH 63,455 MILES, THEN IN FEBRUARY, 2012 AT 99,985 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AND AGAIN ON JULY 7, 2014, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AGAIN AT 118,903 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER EXCESSIVE FAILURE OF SUBARU'S DESIGN, SINCE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR TO I KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED ANY TYPE OF RE-OCCURRING FAILURES WITH WHEEL BEARINGS ON OTHER VEHICLES. MY HUSBAND IS A RETIRED MECHANIC, WHO AFTER WORKING ON ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS, HAS NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH PROBLEMS. SURELY SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH A RE-CALL TO MODIFY THEIR POOR DESIGN, WITHOUT MAKING THEIR CUSTOMERS CONTINUALLY PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES, BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES A WHEEL, CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION BEARING EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION BEARING FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GEAR CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLOW ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, COASTING, AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL WHEEL DRIVE POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS MORE APPARENT AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ON ICY ROADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE JERKS BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION WERE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WAS SIX DEGREES TOO HIGH. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD LOCK INTO PLACE, WINDOWS SCREECHED, AND PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR HINGES CAME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR
I BOUGHT A 2006 SUBARU WRX ONLY TWO MONTHS AGO. ON A TRIP LAST MONTH (CAR WAS ONLY A MONTH OLD AT THE TIME) I HAD SOME SMALL DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD, NOTHING REALLY OUT OF THE ORDINARY, ESPECIALLY HERE IN COLORADO. BUT, THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT OUT TO THE CAR, I HAD A CRACK THAT RAN ACROSS MORE THAN HALF OF MY WINDSHIELD. CONSIDERING I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER CARS WHILE LIVING IN COLORADO, I HAVE HAD ONLY ONE CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND THAT WAS DUE TO A TRUCK KICKING UP A ROCK INTO THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, I AM FINDING MANY COMPLAINTS AND SIMILAR CRACKS IN OTHER WRX'S AND WRX OWNERS. I FEEL AS IF THE WINDSHIELDS ON A WRX ARE EITHER WEAK OR NEED TO BE THICKER. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, COASTING, AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL WHEEL DRIVE POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS MORE APPARENT AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ON ICY ROADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE JERKS BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION WERE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WAS SIX DEGREES TOO HIGH. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD LOCK INTO PLACE, WINDOWS SCREECHED, AND PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR HINGES CAME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR
I HIT A BEAR AT 55MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE BEAR LEAPED OFF THE BANK IN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH THAT RESULTED IN THE BEAR BEING KILLED INSTANTLY, ABOUT 600 LBS. OF BEAR. THE CAR CAME TO AN INSTANT HALT WITH THE FRONT END BEING PUSHED BACK, LIGHTS,GRILLE,FENDER, HOOD, ECT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER CALLING SUBARU OF AMERICA, I WAS ADVISED TO LET MY INSURANCE HANDLE IT, BUT AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER OF 1020805 BY SUBARU. THIS IS NOT A INSURANCE PROBLEM, THIS IS SUBARU PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO FIRST TEAM IN ROANOKE VIRGINIA AND THE COLLISION SHOP ADVISED ME TO CONTACT SUBARU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HIT A BEAR AT 55MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE BEAR LEAPED OFF THE BANK IN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRASH THAT RESULTED IN THE BEAR BEING KILLED INSTANTLY, ABOUT 600 LBS. OF BEAR. THE CAR CAME TO AN INSTANT HALT WITH THE FRONT END BEING PUSHED BACK, LIGHTS,GRILLE,FENDER, HOOD, ECT. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER CALLING SUBARU OF AMERICA, I WAS ADVISED TO LET MY INSURANCE HANDLE IT, BUT AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER OF 1020805 BY SUBARU. THIS IS NOT A INSURANCE PROBLEM, THIS IS SUBARU PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO FIRST TEAM IN ROANOKE VIRGINIA AND THE COLLISION SHOP ADVISED ME TO CONTACT SUBARU. *TR
THE HID HEADLIGHTS ON THE SUBARU->IMPREZA->WRX->STI SIT WAY TOO LOW. I CANNOT SEE THE ENTIRE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. THE HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE RAISED UP SO PEOPLE CAN SEE THE ROAD BETTER. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN BE MOVED UP AND DOWN WITH A SWITCH ON THE STI AND EVEN WHEN SET AT THE HIGHEST SETTINGS THE HEADLIGHTS END ABOUT 20 FEET ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I ALMOST HIT A KID BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HIM IN THE DARK! MUST BE FIXED MATTER OF SAFETY AND EMERGENCY!*JB
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
THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS EMIT A LOW PITCH NOISE THAT INCREASES IN AMPLITUDE WITH SPEED. THE NOISE HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, TO THE POINT WHERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD A CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT. I AM TOLD THERE IS A WHEEL BEARING RECALL FOR A DIFFERENT MODEL SUBARU OF THIS SAME MODEL YEAR, BUT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAYS IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. THEY ESTIMATE THE REPAIR AT $850.
I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009 WITH 63,455 MILES, THEN IN FEBRUARY, 2012 AT 99,985 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING, AND AGAIN ON JULY 7, 2014, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AGAIN AT 118,903 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RATHER EXCESSIVE FAILURE OF SUBARU'S DESIGN, SINCE I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR TO I KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED ANY TYPE OF RE-OCCURRING FAILURES WITH WHEEL BEARINGS ON OTHER VEHICLES. MY HUSBAND IS A RETIRED MECHANIC, WHO AFTER WORKING ON ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS, HAS NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH PROBLEMS. SURELY SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO IT'S CUSTOMERS TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH A RE-CALL TO MODIFY THEIR POOR DESIGN, WITHOUT MAKING THEIR CUSTOMERS CONTINUALLY PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES, BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES A WHEEL, CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT A BUBBLE WAS PRESENT ON ONE OF THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO THE BRIDGESTONE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED, BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,384. UPDATED 08/14/07. *JB
NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2006, VEHICLE IS 13 MONTHS OLD APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES. TWO FRONT TIRES HAVE SIDE WALL FAILURE. SIDEWALLS ARE BUBBLED OUT AND THE OUTSIDE TREAD IS DISFIGURED ABOVE EACH BUBBLE. VEHICLE IS AND AWD SUBARU IMPREZZA. THESE TIRES NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOME DIES IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. P205/55/16 89V BRIDGESTONE POTENZA. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, COASTING, AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL WHEEL DRIVE POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS MORE APPARENT AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ON ICY ROADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE JERKS BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION WERE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WAS SIX DEGREES TOO HIGH. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD LOCK INTO PLACE, WINDOWS SCREECHED, AND PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR HINGES CAME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR
I BOUGHT MY SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI BRAND NEW, AND AFTER HAVING IT ABOUT 4 MONTHS A TRANSMISSION MOUNT CALLED THE PITCH ROD MOUNT BROKE IN HALF. THE MOUNT BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND RESULTED IN DAMAGING THE CLUTCH LINE. THE FLUID IN THE CLUTCH LINE WAS DRAINED AND THIS RESULTED IN MY GEARS SCRATCHING AND OVERALL RUINED MY TRANSMISSION. IN THE END I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MOUNT, CLUTCH LINE AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE RE-BUILT. NOW I WAS NOT AWARE AT THE TIME THAT THE MOUNT WAS BROKEN SO TO MY SURPRISE THAT AFTER EVERYTHING WAS FIXED ($2,800 LATER) A WEEK LATER I HEARD A POP. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THAT IT COULD BE THE MOUNT AGAIN. SO I REACHED MY HAND SLOWLY BEHIND THE HOT INTERCOOLER COVERING THE ENTIRE TOP HALF OF THE ENGINE AND FELT THAT AGAIN THE PITCH ROD HAD BROKEN. THIS PITCH ROD NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND IS COSTING PEOPLE A FORTUNE!*JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
BANGING SOUND FROM SUSPENSION GOING OVER THE BUMP. *NM
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, COASTING, AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL WHEEL DRIVE POWER. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE WAS MORE APPARENT AT HIGH ALTITUDES AND ON ICY ROADS. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE JERKS BEFORE IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ECM. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION WERE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND THE ENGINE WAS SIX DEGREES TOO HIGH. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD LOCK INTO PLACE, WINDOWS SCREECHED, AND PASSENGER'S FRONT DOOR HINGES CAME LOOSE. THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR
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 .