2006 Subaru Impreza Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Subaru Impreza has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Corroded brake line and component failure.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Subaru Impreza.

Reported to NHTSA

Corroded brake line and component failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2025-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656090
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360422
“2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER STATES WHILE PULLING AWAY HE HEARD A CONTINUOUS GRINDING/ SHEARING NOISE WHICH BECAME MORE SEVERE UPON BRAKING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SWERVED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10445309

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission and engine mount failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2012-09

“2006 MY SUBARU IMPREZA STI WITH 414 MILES AND 1.5 WEEKS OLD THE ENGINE MOTORS MOUNTS FAILED, THIS CAUSED A LOUD CLUNKING AS THE ENGINE WOULD MOVE VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10149444
“I BOUGHT MY SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI BRAND NEW, AND AFTER HAVING IT ABOUT 4 MONTHS A TRANSMISSION MOUNT CALLED THE PITCH ROD MOUNT BROKE IN HALF. THE MOUNT BROKE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND RESULTED IN DAMAGING THE CLUTCH LINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10166072
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210683

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear wheel bearing repeated failure

WHEELS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2015-07

“THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS EMIT A LOW PITCH NOISE THAT INCREASES IN AMPLITUDE WITH SPEED. THE NOISE HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE, TO THE POINT WHERE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO HOLD A CONVERSATION WITH ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10735868
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10609634

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Bridgestone Potenza tire sidewall bubbling

TIRES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2007-07

“NEW VEHICLE PURCHASED IN APRIL 2006, VEHICLE IS 13 MONTHS OLD APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES. TWO FRONT TIRES HAVE SIDE WALL FAILURE. SIDEWALLS ARE BUBBLED OUT AND THE OUTSIDE TREAD IS DISFIGURED ABOVE EACH BUBBLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10191837
“TL*THE 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10196629

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts and repair delay

AIR BAGS

15 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2025-06

“JULY 30 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG IN 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU AT LEAST 5 TIMES TO ASK WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10916399
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10930046
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11669766

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment during frontal crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2007-01 → 2008-03

“90 MPH HEAD ON CRASH, AND NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN SEVERE HYPEREXTENSION OF THE NECK AND BACK OF THE PASSENGER, CAUSING 4 HERNIATED DISKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10221915
“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,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10177682
“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,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10197390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Oil pickup tube fracture causing engine failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2008-06 → 2020-07

“WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 SUBARU WRX STI THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SEIZED UP ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER TO EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAD TO PERFORM EMERGENCY MANEUVERS AND STEER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10232608
“I WAS DRIVING ALONG IN MY SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI AT APPROX. 45 MPH WHEN MY CAR HAD THE OIL LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT (FLASHING) COME ON. WHEN I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED THEY FOUND THE OIL PICKUP TUBE WAS BROKEN IN TWO PIECES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592599
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340469

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel line leak and odor in cold weather

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2024-01

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11565345
“UPON START UP OF MY 2006 SUBARU WRX STI, THERE IS VISUAL EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING TIMES OF COLD WEATHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692668
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10716206

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

106 crashes 1990–2024

How the 106 occupant deaths break down

71

driver deaths

35

passenger deaths

106

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Subaru Impreza reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.