2006 Subaru Impreza
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 56
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2006
Opened by NHTSA
36% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 56 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1993 | 33 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 46 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1998 | 30 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 41 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 292 |
| 2003 | 62 |
| 2004 | 96 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2006 | 56 |
| 2007 | 68 |
| 2008 | 176 |
| 2009 | 103 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 243 |
| 2013 | 251 |
| 2014 | 108 |
| 2015 | 77 |
| 2016 | 75 |
| 2017 | 125 |
| 2018 | 152 |
| 2019 | 193 |
| 2020 | 85 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
36% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
I hit a bear at 55MPH with the cruise control on. The bear leaped off the bank in directly in front of the vehicle. The crash that resulted in the bear being killed instantly, about 600 lbs. Of bear.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-07-24
Also filed under Structure
I was forced off the road by a car that pulled out in front of me from my right and stopped in my lane. I swerved to the left to avoid the car and corrected to the right, at this time there was no more road to drive on.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-01-03
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-06-27
Power train
13% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and torque converter.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while decelerating, the transmission bearing exhibited an unusually loud noise. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection of the transmission bearing failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-13
Engine and engine cooling
13% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing engine.
Show complaint excerpts
Code P1410 secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open. This is a common error many 2006 and up Subaru Impreza WRX owners are having.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-23
Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline
Service brakes
11% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-22
Engine
9% · 5 reportsShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-10
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2007-03-09Air bags07V043000 On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production. Pinching of the wiring harness between the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct…
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I
2011-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Front suspension control arm failure
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R
2011-12-31Suspension11V464000 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…
Remedy: Subaru will handle their vehicles and Saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service…
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R
2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
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R
2016-08-24Air bags16V359000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.
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R
2017-03-06Air bags17V026000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
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2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
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R
2017-03-08Air bags17V016000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.
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R
2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 7 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 07V043000 · Air bags
- Recall 11V464000 · Suspension
- Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V359000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V026000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V016000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2006 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Impreza?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Impreza have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.