Subaru Impreza: The Subaru Impreza is a hatchback sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year. Decode a specific VIN below to confirm the exact year, trim and equipment, and to check for open safety recalls.
Research any Subaru Impreza model year
Specs, engines, MPG and open safety recalls for each production year.
Each year page has that year's specific specs, EPA MPG, NHTSA crash-test ratings and every open recall campaign filed for that year and model.
Overview
| Make | Subaru |
|---|
| Model | Impreza |
|---|
| Body Style | Hatchback |
|---|
| Production Years | Multiple model years |
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| Country of Origin | Japan |
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Fuel Economy (1996 Subaru Impreza)
Official EPA fuel-economy estimates via FuelEconomy.gov.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA) · Fuel: Regular · CO₂ emissions: 370.2916666666667 g/mile.
NHTSA Safety Ratings (2005 Subaru Impreza)
Official NHTSA crash-test star ratings (5 = best).
Source: NHTSA NCAP.
Subaru Impreza generations
Model-line generations with their production years. Each generation hub lists every model year with its data.
Why Buyers Choose the Subaru Impreza
- Verify the exact build with a free VIN decode
- Check open NHTSA recalls in seconds
- Confirm the listing matches the factory specification
Common Problems to Check
Known issues reported for the Subaru Impreza. Always inspect the specific vehicle and decode its VIN for recall status.
- Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
- Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
- Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Reliability: How long a used Subaru Impreza lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Check engine light on your Subaru Impreza?
Every 1996-and-newer car uses the OBD-II standard. Enter any stored code, then P0300, P0420, or search our full database of over 2,000 codes, to see what it means and how serious it is.
OBD-II code lookup →
Recent Recalls (2005 Subaru Impreza)
A sample of NHTSA recalls for a recent model year. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. See all recalls →
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign 20V001000 · 02/01/2020
Issue: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign 20V003000 · 02/01/2020
Issue: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign 20V002000 · 02/01/2020
Issue: 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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Campaign 11V464000 · 06/09/2011
Issue: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Related Guides for Subaru Impreza Owners & Buyers
Other Subaru Models
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MPG of the 1996 Subaru Impreza?
The 1996 Subaru Impreza gets an EPA-estimated 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), according to FuelEconomy.gov.
How do I decode a Subaru Impreza VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN in the box above. VinSpecs returns the exact year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant for your Subaru Impreza, plus any open recalls, free.
Is the Subaru Impreza reliable?
How long a used Subaru Impreza lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
How do I check the Subaru Impreza for recalls?
Use our free recall checker by year, make and model, or decode a specific VIN for its exact recall status.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Impreza?
Run a VIN decode + recall check here, get a NMVTIS-backed title history report to catch salvage/flood brands, then have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle on a lift. Cross-reference the seller's mileage claim against the odometer history on record.
Where is the VIN located on a Subaru Impreza?
The 17-character VIN is stamped in several places: visible through the windshield on the driver's-side dashboard, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, and on the vehicle registration and insurance card. All should match, mismatched VINs are a fraud red flag.
