Severe Issues

2006 SUBARU IMPREZA Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. This model year has 56 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.

56
Complaints
3
Crashes
β€”
Fires
2
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
10
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2006 Subaru Impreza Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
20
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:3
Injuries:2
#2
12
complaints

Engine Problems

#3
7
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Considering a 2006 Subaru Impreza?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Airbag Malfunctions203β€”β€”
Engine Problems12β€”β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain7β€”β€”β€”
Brake System6β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System4β€”β€”β€”
Hydraulic4β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System3β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline3β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures2β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Visibility2β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems21β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures21β€”β€”
Tire Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects1β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 56 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsJun 27, 2025

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…

Brake SystemApr 22, 2025

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/Propulsion SystemJan 13, 2024

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 …

Steering DefectsOct 13, 2022

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.

Brake SystemSep 22, 2020

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…

Engine ProblemsJul 20, 2020

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 …

Airbag MalfunctionsAug 19, 2019

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…

Fuel/Propulsion SystemDec 4, 2018

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 …

Engine ProblemsMar 10, 2018

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 …

Airbag MalfunctionsJan 7, 2018

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 27, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 13, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsSep 18, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 20, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsJan 11, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsJan 10, 2017

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 19, 2016

"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…

Airbag MalfunctionsDec 5, 2016

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 20, 2016

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…

Airbag MalfunctionsOct 18, 2016

TAKATA RECALL

Page 1 of 3

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Subaru Impreza.

Recalls for 2006 Subaru Impreza

10 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Subaru Impreza. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

20V003000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V002000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V001000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

11V464000Jun 9, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

17V026000Nov 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V014000Oct 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V016000Oct 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V359000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V358000Invalid Date
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

07V043000Dec 2, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

2006 Subaru Impreza β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Subaru Impreza reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2006 Subaru Impreza has 56 NHTSA owner complaints, 3 crash-related, and 10 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (20 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Impreza?β–Ύ

#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?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2006 Subaru Impreza?β–Ύ

The 2006 Subaru Impreza has 3 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 56 total NHTSA complaints. 2 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2006 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 10 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2006 Subaru Impreza. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2006 Subaru Impreza?β–Ύ

The 2006 Subaru Impreza has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

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.

Check Your Specific 2006 Subaru Impreza

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.