Owners have filed 48 complaints
about the 1993 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between 1995 and 2010.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 19 of 31 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Subaru Impreza. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
35.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Windshield
933.3%
Frontal
622.2%
Side/Window
27.4%
Filler Pipe AND CAP
27.4%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
27.4%
Rotor
27.4%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
27.4%
Foundation Components
27.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 5Jan 2010
Recalls on the 1993 Subaru Impreza
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1993061128 units in Canada
Fuel System
NOTE: 1993 IMPREZA SPORT WAGON 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE FUEL LEAKAGE REQUIREMENTS OF C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. CORRECTION: A MODIFIED REPLACEMENT FUEL VENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Norristown, PACrash
TIRES
1993 SUBARU IMPREZA EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL TWICE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-90-0831.
NHTSA complaint #10213956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,555 milesEast Lansing, MICrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
WE JUST PURCHASED A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA 4 DOOR SEDAN. YESTERDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2004 WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, OUR SUBARU WAS PROPELLED 5-15 FEET. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY WIFE AN I REQUIRED EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION. I JUST NOTICED THAT NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE SUBARU AIRBAGS IN 1994, BUT THERE ISN'T EVEN AN OPTION TO SEARCH FOR A SUBARU PROBLEMS IN 1993.
NHTSA complaint #10100633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT IT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN REAR. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & STOPPED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM FOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #863156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH TIRE HIT A CURB AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON LATER MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #845764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER HIT A CAR FROM BEHIND AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. HE DID APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR STILL HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #815750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #516200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 226,826 milesMystic, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE FILLER PIPE WAS LEAKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FUEL.THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V072000 INDICATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 226,826. THE SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE VIN # PROVIDED IS AN INVALID NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #10298447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norristown, PACrash
TIRES
1993 SUBARU IMPREZA EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL TWICE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-90-0831.
NHTSA complaint #10213956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,555 milesEast Lansing, MICrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
WE JUST PURCHASED A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA 4 DOOR SEDAN. YESTERDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2004 WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, OUR SUBARU WAS PROPELLED 5-15 FEET. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY WIFE AN I REQUIRED EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION. I JUST NOTICED THAT NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE SUBARU AIRBAGS IN 1994, BUT THERE ISN'T EVEN AN OPTION TO SEARCH FOR A SUBARU PROBLEMS IN 1993.
NHTSA complaint #10100633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,850 milesColumbus, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL, THROTTLE, AIR CONTROL VALVE. WHILE CAR IS RUNNING, IT HAS SUDDEN REPEATED ACCELERATIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10043151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,850 milesColumbus, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL, THROTTLE, AIR CONTROL VALVE. WHILE CAR IS RUNNING, IT HAS SUDDEN REPEATED ACCELERATIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10043151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES FROM THE YEAR 2000-2002.
NHTSA complaint #769236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FOUR FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE OF 2000. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WITH NO WARNING PUTTING THE OCCUPANTS AT RISK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE OWNER HAS FOUND A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V072000 FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY PIPE FILLER NECK ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooktondale, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REGARDING THE GAS GAUGE: GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. SHOWS AS BELOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL OVER 3 GALLONS OF FUEL LEFT. GOES UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER 93 IMPREZA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. RE: THE POWER LOCKS/CHILDPROOF SWITCH. I CANNOT OPEN THE BACK RIGHT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE CHILDPROOF SWITCH. NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH IS IN THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1987 SUBARU GL WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #765418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooktondale, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
REGARDING THE GAS GAUGE: GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. SHOWS AS BELOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL OVER 3 GALLONS OF FUEL LEFT. GOES UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER 93 IMPREZA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. RE: THE POWER LOCKS/CHILDPROOF SWITCH. I CANNOT OPEN THE BACK RIGHT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE CHILDPROOF SWITCH. NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH IS IN THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1987 SUBARU GL WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #765418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waldolf, MD
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE WENT UP ON CURVE, AND WHEN COMING DOWN BOTTOM OF CURVE. TOW HOOK CAME DOWN ON CURVE, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. THERES A RECALL ON 1997 VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT FOR 1996 VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #878216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT IT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN REAR. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & STOPPED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM FOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #863156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rensselaer, NY
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #862256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rensselaer, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #862256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH TIRE HIT A CURB AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON LATER MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #845764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsfield, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED DEEP CUTS AND CRATCHES IN THE GLASS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #516911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bennington, VT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEEP CUTS AND SCRATCHES IN THEM CAUSED BY THE GLIDE ROLLER RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #516910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ogden, UT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #824412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millbrook, NY
SUSPENSION:REAR
RIGHT REAR AXLE BEARING SCORCED, REPLACE BEARING/SEALS/AXLE
NHTSA complaint #515585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millbrook, NY
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
REAR DEFROSTER INOPERATIVE, REPLACE RELAY
NHTSA complaint #515585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UTCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER HIT A CAR FROM BEHIND AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. HE DID APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR STILL HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER CAR.
NHTSA complaint #815750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bennington, VT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DEEP CUTS AND SCRATCHES ON WINDOWS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE GLIDE ROLLER, OBSCURE VISIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #516910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsfield, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE CUTS/SCRATCHES.
NHTSA complaint #516911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.