repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2006 Subaru ImprezaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 56 owner complaints about the 2006 Subaru Impreza, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-359 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 27, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Subaru Impreza has problems
56 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
7Engine and engine cooling
7Power train
5Engine
4Fuel/propulsion system
4Service brakes, hydraulic
3Fuel system, gasoline
2Wheels
2Exterior lighting
127 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 20 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 1 |
| 7 other systems | 12 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2006 Subaru Impreza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
no report yet
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Impreza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza median. How we score
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Subaru Impreza safety ratings
2006 Subaru Impreza 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (11.8% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Subaru Impreza, and the recalls they led to.
- Front suspension control arm failureLed to recall 11V-464
In owners' words
What Impreza owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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 vehicle was originally…
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 GARNISH TENS AND POSSIBLY…
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 WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO USE…
Own a 2006 Impreza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.