2006 Subaru Impreza: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2006 Subaru Impreza? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 56 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2006 Subaru Impreza Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2006 Subaru Impreza trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2006 Subaru Impreza Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2006 Subaru Impreza 4-DR w/SABOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated11.8% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
11.8% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2006 Subaru Impreza has 56 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 10 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Impreza
- Model year
- 2006
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 56
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Safety recall campaigns
- 10
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 24
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2006 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2006 Subaru Impreza?
The 2006 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2006 Subaru Impreza
Inspection Focus
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and transmission components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on airbag system and engine health.
- Check for any prior crash history that may affect airbag deployment.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, especially for airbag systems.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and transmission components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on airbag system and engine health.
- Check for any prior crash history that may affect airbag deployment.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2006 Subaru Impreza, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2006 Subaru Impreza are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, which account for a substantial portion of the total. Engine problems and transmission/drivetrain issues also appear frequently. The data suggests potential concerns with safety systems and powertrain reliability, though the sample size is limited.
- Airbag Malfunctions represent the most reported component, with 20 complaints.
- Engine Problems are the second most common issue, with 12 complaints.
- Transmission/Drivetrain complaints total 7, indicating possible driveline concerns.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
All 2006 Subaru Impreza Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 20 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 v…
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 afte…
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 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.
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 VEHICL…
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 …
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 GARNI…
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 …
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 …
TAKATA RECALL, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION IN THE MAIL THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY SUBARU IMPREZA'S AIR BAGS, I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A REPAIR WHICH THE NOTIFICATION SAID WOULD TAKE 45MINUTES. THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT, I WAITED A WEEK WITHOU…
TAKATA RECALL -- I HAVE A 2006 SUBARU. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM IN MARCH 2017 TELLING ME THERE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE REGARDING THE TAKATA PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS, AT THAT TIME THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX. IT IS NOW OCTOBER 2017 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INF…
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE RECALL NOTICES, YET THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN ME MULTIPLE DATES BY WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE THE PARTS, HOWEVER, I KEEP CALLING THEM BACK AND I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TAKING FAR TOO LONG TO DO THIS WORK. I CALLED TODAY, 10-13-2017 AND SPOKE WI…
TAKATA RECALL -- THIS IS REGARDING THE RECALL OF THE 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA PASSENGER AIRBAG. I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS YEAR (IN MARCH 2017) LETTING ME KNOW THAT THE AIRBAG WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL BECAUSE OF SERIOUS MAL-FUNCTION... SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT THEY SUGGEST I NOT HAVE ANYONE S…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REP…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME…
TAKATA RECALL: I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON, BUT WITHOUT ANY HISTORY OF AN ACCIDENT. THE WEIGHT SENSOR ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH NOTIFIES YOU OF SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CHANGES FROM ON TO OFF JUST FINE. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS REMA…
"TAKATA RECALL" WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTING OUR TRUSTED SUBARU DEALER (CARLSEN SUBARU, 480 VETERANS BLVD REDWOOD CITY,CA 94063) FREQUENTLY SINCE JULY WHEN WE HAVE RECEIVED THE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE. DURING OUR RECENT VISIT ABOUT THIS RECALL TO THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE TOLD THAT PARTS…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF T…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR AND MAY NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL THE LAST QUARTER OF 2017. TH…
TAKATA RECALL
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Subaru Impreza.
2006 Subaru Impreza Recalls
10 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. 10 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2006 Subaru Impreza Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2006 Subaru Impreza reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 56 owner complaints, 3 crash-related complaints, and 10 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2006 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Impreza?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (20 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (12 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (7 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Subaru Impreza?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2006 Subaru Impreza?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2006 Subaru Impreza, NHTSA complaints include 3 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 56 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2006 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?▾
Yes. 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2006 Subaru Impreza. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 10 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2006 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2006 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2006 Subaru Impreza based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.