Subaru Impreza problems
56 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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. The emissions system is prone to fail due to carbon buildup or moisture and rust contaminating valves, leading to repairs costing…
"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…
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…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Subaru impreza. While driving at any speed, coasting, and shifting gears, the vehicle loses all wheel drive power. The failure causes the vehicle to shift into neutral. The failure was more apparent at high altitudes and on icy roads. While…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Subaru Impreza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Subaru Impreza?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Subaru Impreza does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,303 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 96,303 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Impreza has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 56 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.