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1996 Subaru Impreza LX Wagon AWD MT

The 1996 Subaru Impreza LX Wagon AWD MT is a 135-hp 2.2-liter wagon with a 5-speed manual and all-wheel drive. It starts at $18,690 MSRP.

It makes 135 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

The Impreza measures 172.2 inches long on a 99.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,925 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$18,690 ($38,714 *)
Engine
Engine TypeGas H4
Displacement2.2 L
Horsepower135 hp
Torque140 lb-ft
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 in
Wheels Rear15 in
Dimensions & Weight
Length172.2 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb Weight2,925 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1996 Subaru Impreza 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Subaru IMPREZA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 11, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

NHTSA campaign 09E025000

Apr 7, 2009 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

NHTSA campaign 09E012000

Aug 11, 2008 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

NHTSA campaign 08E050000

26 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1996 Subaru IMPREZA

Owner Complaints

26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Subaru IMPREZA (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags7
Hydraulic6
Service Brakes6
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Wheels3
Seats2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jun 18, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING HEAD GASKET BLEW CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK”
Jun 9, 2003 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE AND THEN DRASTICALLY LOSES POWER NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED ABOVE 40MPH. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO…”
Jan 9, 2002 · Suspension
“AT 61629 AND 63512 MILES WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AT DEALERSHIP. BEARINGS WERE BEING GREASED WITH WRONG KIND OF GREASE AND THE AMOUNT OF GREASE WAS NOT…”
Oct 6, 2000 · Air Bags 1 injury
“PLEASE NOTE; BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME WHILE THE SUBARU IMPREZA WAS IN PARK. *AK”
Aug 30, 2000 · Tires
“ALL FOUR TIRES SPLIT AROUND THE SIDEWALLS AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185-70 R14 )”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1996 SUBARU IMPREZA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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