Owners have filed 27 complaints
about the 1999 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between 1999 and 2009.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 31 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 — 12
Against the median year of the Subaru Impreza. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1999 Subaru Impreza
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
622.2%
Median failure at 52,975 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
414.8%
Brakes
311.1%
Seat Belts
27.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
27.4%
Median failure at 74,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
27.4%
Median failure at 87,500 miles
Airbags
27.4%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,000 mi
Child Seats
13.7%
Wheels
13.7%
Tires
13.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.7%
Steering
13.7%
Engine & Cooling
13.7%
Median failure at 82,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
440.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
330.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
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.
Aug 1999peak 4May 2009
Recalls on the 1999 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.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200006946,003 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicle do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle classification. Correction: No corrective action will be taken for existing vehicles. Correct compliance label will be affixed in current production vehicles.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 62,000 milesTempleton, MACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WAS INJURED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Templeton, MACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #8022867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 68,000 milesBurnaby, 00
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10268302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,500 milesGreene, NY
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10151499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crookston, MN
CHILD SEAT:TETHER: STRAP/WEBBING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10134937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10104190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Milford, CT
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10008572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10072807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesManheim, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10068271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHampstead, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
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
NHTSA complaint #10063164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesChino Hills, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AIRFLOW METER/SENSOR FAILED AT 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #10057037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesAmherst, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
CONSUMER HEARS A "RUMBLING" NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. CONSUMER PREVIOUSLY HAD REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 42000 DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR. THE BEARINGS HAVE WORN OUT AGAIN, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 44000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10030120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesTHE SEA Ranch, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10010009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesTempleton, MACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WAS INJURED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Templeton, MACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #8022867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, CT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
NHTSA complaint #748025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #745152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #745152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #745152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, CT
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #883304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, CT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
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
NHTSA complaint #883304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
WHILE DRIVING REAR STRUT WOULD MAKE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #882466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mato, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #871559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mato, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
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.
NHTSA complaint #871559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mohegan Lake, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION PLUG FELL OUT, LEAKAGE OF ALL THE FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. MJS
NHTSA complaint #848638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palos Park, IL
TIRES
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
NHTSA complaint #846048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
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.
NHTSA complaint #710200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.