Total Complaints
48 filings
Subaru Impreza · model year
1993 Subaru Impreza
48 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1993 Subaru Impreza posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 32%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1993SubaruImpreza carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1993 Impreza is visibility:windshield with 9 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (6) and air bags (3). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1993 Impreza. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
48
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1993 Subaru Impreza
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 9 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2005. HE STATED THAT THE FILLER PIPE WAS LEAKING LARGE QUANTITIES OF FUEL.THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V072000 INDICATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ASSUME LIABILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 226,826. THE SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE VIN # PROVIDED IS AN INVALID NUMBER.
Mileage: 226,826
20080103CrashTIRES
1993 SUBARU IMPREZA EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT THE MEDIAN WALL TWICE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-90-0831. *JB
20041128CrashAIR BAGS
WE JUST PURCHASED A 1993 SUBARU IMPREZA 4 DOOR SEDAN. YESTERDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2004 WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE WERE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, OUR SUBARU WAS PROPELLED 5-15 FEET. THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY WIFE AN I REQUIRED EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION. I JUST NOTICED THAT NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON DEFECTIVE SUBARU AIRBAGS IN 1994, BUT THERE ISN'T EVEN AN OPTION TO SEARCH FOR A SUBARU PROBLEMS IN 1993. *AK
Mileage: 124,555
20031018FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
FUEL, THROTTLE, AIR CONTROL VALVE. WHILE CAR IS RUNNING, IT HAS SUDDEN REPEATED ACCELERATIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *LA
Mileage: 158,850
20031018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL, THROTTLE, AIR CONTROL VALVE. WHILE CAR IS RUNNING, IT HAS SUDDEN REPEATED ACCELERATIONS, WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *LA
Mileage: 158,850
20021106FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES FROM THE YEAR 2000-2002.
20021104FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FOUR FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE OF 2000. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WITH NO WARNING PUTTING THE OCCUPANTS AT RISK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE OWNER HAS FOUND A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V072000 FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY PIPE FILLER NECK ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
20020812STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REGARDING THE GAS GAUGE: GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. SHOWS AS BELOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL OVER 3 GALLONS OF FUEL LEFT. GOES UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER 93 IMPREZA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. RE: THE POWER LOCKS/CHILDPROOF SWITCH. I CANNOT OPEN THE BACK RIGHT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE CHILDPROOF SWITCH. NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH IS IN THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1987 SUBARU GL WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE.*AK
20020812FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
REGARDING THE GAS GAUGE: GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. SHOWS AS BELOW EMPTY WHEN THERE IS STILL OVER 3 GALLONS OF FUEL LEFT. GOES UP AND DOWN FOR NO REASON. I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER 93 IMPREZA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. RE: THE POWER LOCKS/CHILDPROOF SWITCH. I CANNOT OPEN THE BACK RIGHT DOOR FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE I CANNOT DISENGAGE THE CHILDPROOF SWITCH. NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SWITCH IS IN THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY 1987 SUBARU GL WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE.*AK
20010116AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE WENT UP ON CURVE, AND WHEN COMING DOWN BOTTOM OF CURVE. TOW HOOK CAME DOWN ON CURVE, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER STATED THAT AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. THERES A RECALL ON 1997 VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT FOR 1996 VEHICLE. *AK
20000607CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT IT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE IN REAR. VEHICLE SPUN AROUND & STOPPED. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. DRIVER TREATED AT EMERGENCY ROOM FOR INJURIES. *AK
20000522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS. *AK
20000522VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
A MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS REMAINED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITIONS. *AK
19990824AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 15MPH TIRE HIT A CURB AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON LATER MODELS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
19990406VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEVELOPED DEEP CUTS AND CRATCHES IN THE GLASS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
19990406VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE DEEP CUTS AND SCRATCHES IN THEM CAUSED BY THE GLIDE ROLLER RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY.
19990217POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE. *AK
19980324SUSPENSION:REAR
RIGHT REAR AXLE BEARING SCORCED, REPLACE BEARING/SEALS/AXLE
19980324VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
REAR DEFROSTER INOPERATIVE, REPLACE RELAY
19970827CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OWNER HIT A CAR FROM BEHIND AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. HE DID APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR STILL HIT THE REAR OF THE OTHER CAR.
Compare 1993SubaruImpreza to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 Subaru Impreza have?▼
The 1993 Subaru Impreza has 48 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Subaru Impreza?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 Subaru Impreza is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and AIR BAGS.
Is the 1993 Subaru Impreza safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1993 Subaru Impreza; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.