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1998 Subaru Impreza L Coupe AT

The 1998 Subaru Impreza L Coupe AT is a 137-hp 2.2-liter coupe with a 4-speed automatic. It starts at $16,695 MSRP.

It makes 137 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

The Impreza measures 172.2 inches long on a 99.2-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,795 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$16,695 ($33,288 *)
Engine
Engine TypeGas H4
Displacement2.2 L
Horsepower137 hp @ 5,400 rpm
Torque145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission4-Speed Automatic
1st Gear2.79
2nd Gear1.55
3rd Gear1
4th Gear0.69
Reverse2.27
Final Drive4.11
Fuel Economy
City20 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
Brakes
Front Brake Disc10.1 x 0.94 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15 x 6 in
Wheels Rear15 x 6 in
Tires Front195/60R15
Tires Rear195/60R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length172.2 in
Width67.1 in
Height55.5 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb Weight2,795 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1998 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

30 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1998 Subaru IMPREZA

Owner Complaints

30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Subaru IMPREZA (1 mention a crash, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train9
Suspension9
Engine And Engine Cooling6
Air Bags3
Electrical System2
Exterior Lighting1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 6, 2017 · Air Bags
“AIR BAG RECALL AND IMPENDING SUIT AGAINST AIR BAG COMPANY”
Sep 14, 2006 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“98 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.5RS. I HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME . AROUND A YEAR AFTER THAT,THE CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT I WORKED AT AND…”
Feb 13, 2005 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“HEAD GASKET FAILURE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON 16 HOUR TRIP.. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT IN A NEW "STARTER BOLT" STATED IT WAS A BAD GROUND?? ON RETURN HOME CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN.. WAS REPAIRED BY…”
Aug 10, 2004 · Electrical System
“INTERMITTENT FAILURE/SHORT OF POWER TO THE MAIN COMPUTER (ECU) AT APPOX. 120K MILES. CAR WOULD NOT START, NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, IT STARTS AND RUNS FINE. TOOK TO MECHANIC…”
Jul 16, 2004 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“THE ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING AND AIR WOULD APPEAR IN THE RADIATOR. ANTIFREEZE WOULD BE PUSHED OUT OF RADIATOR AND THE HEATER WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUT OFF REPEATEDLY AND ALLOWED TO…”

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 1998 SUBARU IMPREZA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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