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2006 Subaru Impreza Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Subaru Impreza, most often about the air bags (36% of complaints). It is 18th of 27 Impreza model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2006 Subaru Impreza problems
Air bags
20 complaints · 36%Parts named most often: frontal.
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. My car went off the shoulder and into the ditch, striking a concrete drainage colvert ,head on. The…
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. The car came to an instant halt with the front end being pushed back, lights,grille,fender, hood, ect. No air bags…
Engine
12 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
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 $700 to $1500. This failure is common…
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the engine and brake warning lights. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the ignition…
Transmission
7 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, automatic transmission.
I had to replace the right rear wheel bearing in september of 2009 with 63,455 miles, then in february, 2012 at 99,985 miles I had to replace the left rear wheel bearing, and again on july 7, 2014, I have had to replace the right rear wheel bearing again at 118,903 miles. This seems to be a rather excessive failure of…
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. The contact stated that the vehicle gear clutch had to be replaced due to slow…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles.
Upon start in any weather after sitting or multple start and stop trips with engine at operating tempeture a very strong raw fuel smell over takes cabin so badly windows have to be rolled down to avoid sickness. Smell continues after several minutes of driving with windows down.
Roll over valves crack. Valves inside the gas tank that prevent gas from leaking out in the event of a roll over accident are defective.
Brakes
6 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: foundation components.
2006 Subaru Impreza wrx sti, equipped with factory brembo brakes. Driving in rain on highway w/o using the brakes (no braking) for about 15-20 minutes will result in a delay of 3-4 seconds before actual brake effects start to feel. Running with no brakes literary is a scary feeling. Contacted dealer but they haven't…
2006 Subaru Impreza. Consumer states while pulling away he heard a continuous grinding/ shearing noise which became more severe upon braking the consumer stated the vehicle swerved when the brakes were applied. The consumer stated it was later determined the brake shoe assemblies had disintegrated while driving. The…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: sidewall.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Subaru Impreza. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for scheduled maintenance. When she arrived, the mechanic informed her that a bubble was present on one of the bridgestone potenza tires. The contact took the tire to the bridgestone dealer to have it replaced, but they stated that they…
I had to replace the right rear wheel bearing in september of 2009 with 63,455 miles, then in february, 2012 at 99,985 miles I had to replace the left rear wheel bearing, and again on july 7, 2014, I have had to replace the right rear wheel bearing again at 118,903 miles. This seems to be a rather excessive failure of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Subaru Impreza recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (sti included), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming or "zone c." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 baja, 2009 forester, legacy and outback and 2006-2009 impreza (including wrx and sti models) and tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-17.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 baja, 2006-2008 impreza (including wrx and sti models), tribeca, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 subaru baja, 2006-2011 impreza (including wrx and sti models), 2006-2012 tribeca, 2009-2012 forester, legacy, outback, and 2012 wrx vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact gm at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-16.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2009-2011 legacy, outback, forester, 2006-2011 impreza, tribeca, 2003-2006 baja, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." these vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-16. Note: this notice is only for vehicles that were not covered by 16v-358 for zone a.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2006-2008 impreza, tribeca, 2006 saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia, or "zone b." these vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
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 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
Fix: 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 location, and re-calibrate the occupant detection system as necessary. The recall began on march 9, 2007. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
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 floor crossmember and the seat mounting bracket could result in a short circuit.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Questions about the 2006 Subaru Impreza
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Impreza?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (20 complaints); engine (12 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (7 complaints, typically around 63,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Impreza have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 2, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Subaru Impreza?
- It is 18th of 27 Impreza model years by number of complaints, with 56 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.