SUBARU IMPREZA · model year

2000 SUBARU IMPREZA

54 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000SUBARUIMPREZA carries 54 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 IMPREZA is power train:clutch assembly with 4 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3) and unknown or other (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2000 IMPREZA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

54
Complaints
8
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

54 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
SUSPENSION:REAR3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
WHEELS2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY2
TIRES2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK1

Recalls (4)

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

08E05000011/08/2008

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 A

09E02500011/05/2009

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

09E01200007/04/2009

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

Recent Complaints

20171029UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A SERVICE BAY AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS GOING A LITTLE TO FAST SO I HIT THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED, I LET UP OFF THE PEDAL AND BRAKED AGAIN AND IT ACCELERATED AGAIN. I BUMPED THE ATTENDANT IN FRONT OF ME AND KNOCKED HIM DOWN. HE SAID HE WAS OK. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR RATHER THAN THE BRAKE BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT. IT ALMOST FELT LIKE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT FURTHER DOWN THAN NORMAL AND WHEN I BRAKED MY FOOT CAME DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. AS PART OF THE SERVICE THEY CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID AND SAID IT LOOKED GOOD. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I DROVE THE VEHICLE QUITE A BIT TO CHECK IT OUT. IT SEEMED TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I'VE BEEN INTO 100S OF SERVICE BAYS AND HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANY MILES. I HAVE ALWAYS CONSIDERED MYSELF AN EXCELLENT DRIVER. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I'M NOT SO SURE ANYMORE. IN ADDITION, THIS IS MY HIGH SCHOOL DAUGHTER'S CAR AND I WANT TO

Mileage: 148,000

20141118FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20140210FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. FOUND SERIOUS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER/OTHER OWNERS REPORTED SAME PROBLEMS FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

20130128TIRES

RE: GENERAL ALTIMAX RT 205/60R15 DOT 65TM3T3 (PER CONTINENTAL). TREAD SEPARATION/BUBBLED SIDEWALLS WHEN VEHICLE TRAVELING 50-55MPH. DRIVER FELT TIRE GOING FLAT & PULLED OVER TO FIND SIDEWALL BUBBLED & DISTORTED AROUND ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE. SENT TO CONTINENTAL TIRE (ADMINISTRATOR OF THE GENERAL TIRE WARRANTY) WHO DENIED THE CLAIM BLAMING "UNDERINFLATION/OVERLOADING". THE OWNER/DRIVER OF THE CAR IS A FORMER DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN WHO MAINTAINS THE TIRES AND KNOWS SYMPTOMS OF TIRE PROBLEMS. (TWO AIR COMPRESSORS IN HOME GARAGE). THE CAR WAS NOT OVERLOADED. WHEN THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY SUBMISSION, A NUMBER OF TECH'S GATHERED AROUND AS NONE HAD EVER SEEN THIS PROFOUND LEVEL OF SEPARATION/BUBBLING. *TR

20091221TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU IMPERZA. THE REAR CONTINENTAL TIRES MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED ABNORMAL TREAD WEAR INSIDE OF THE SIDE-WALL. THE TIRES ARE CUPPED AT THIS POINT. THE TECHNICIANS INSPECTED THE SUSPENSION AND THE ALIGNMENT, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20080729SUSPENSION:REAR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 63948, 67346, 84427 MILES. HAD TO GO ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE CAR (NEW) THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING RATTLING INSIDE OF IT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART, AND SINCE THE PROBLEM WASN'T DANGEROUS, THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

Mileage: 63,948

20070121ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TURN SIGNAL DIMMER SWITCH. HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT IF TURN SIGNAL IS TOUCHED. FAILURE OF LIGHTS OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT FOR SECONDS UNTIL LIGHTS TURN BACK ON. NO CORRECTION MADE YET. WATER PUMP MAKING HIGH PITCH SOUND. FAILURE OF PUMP COULD CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. NO CORRECTION MADE YET. *NM

20070121EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

TURN SIGNAL DIMMER SWITCH. HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT IF TURN SIGNAL IS TOUCHED. FAILURE OF LIGHTS OPERATING WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT FOR SECONDS UNTIL LIGHTS TURN BACK ON. NO CORRECTION MADE YET. WATER PUMP MAKING HIGH PITCH SOUND. FAILURE OF PUMP COULD CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. NO CORRECTION MADE YET. *NM

20060626SUSPENSION:REAR

DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. REPLACED REAR-RIGHT IN 2002, REAR LEFT FEB 2004, BOTH REAR JUN 2006. *NM

Mileage: 64,000

20051215POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

I HAVE A 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA WAGON....I BOUGHT IT NOV 2004 TO USE IN MY BUSINESS. I BOUGHT IT MAINLY BECAUSE SUBARUS ARE RELIABLE, ECONOMICAL CARS...IT HAD 55,000 MILES ON IT...NOW IT HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CLUTCH IS REALLY SLIPPING BADLY; NOT GOOD WHEN YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY INTO TRAFFIC. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH SUBARUS THAT DIDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH UNTIL ALMOST 200,000 MILES. I REALLY FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH MY PARTICULAR CAR FOR IT TO BE SLIPPING SO BADLY AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE...IM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THE CAR AND I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH....IT IS NOW DEC 14, 05 AND IT HAS BEEN SLIPPING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS NOW. IS THERE ANYTHING THE MANUFACTURER CAN DO TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM? I LOVE THE CAR BUT AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Mileage: 62,500

20041231VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

1. NOT AWARE OF EVENTS LEADING TO THIS DEFECT. DESIGN IS SENSITIVE TO SMALL ADJUSTMENTS AND NOT ROBUST. 2. THROTTLE CABLE DISLODGES FROM GROOVE ON THROTTLE BODY LEVER WHEN ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED, PREVENTING THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION. THIS CONDITION CAUSES MOTOR TO ACCELERATE AT APROXIMATELY 1/3 TO 1/2 FULL THROTTLE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO SURGEN OF POWER DURING BRAKING. . CABLE END WAS REPOSITIONED AND CABLE SLACK ADJUSTED FROM 10 MILIMETERS TO 2 MILIMETERS. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE PREVENTED RECURANCE. 4.SUGGESTED DESIGN MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE: A. INCREASE GOOVE DEPTH ON THROTTLE LEVER AN ADDITIONAL 6 MI;IMETERS TO LESSEN TENDANCY OF CABLE TO DISLODGE. B. CHANGE SHAPE OF CABLE END TO PREVENT SEVERE TWISTING OF CABLE. CYLINDRICAL END COULD BE CHANGED TO SPHERICAL SHAPE, ALLOWING CABLE TO RELAX AND FIND NATURAL POSITION. THROTTLE LEVER WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE RE-DESIGNE TO ACCEPT THIS NEW CABLE END. A SIMPLE DEALER KIT WITH NEW LEVER COULD BE COULD

Mileage: 80,600

20041130SUSPENSION

2000 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS.*MR (NAR) THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL BEARING HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, 16481 MILES, 21401 MILES, 34770 MILES AND 56171 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 16,481

20040422CrashFireFatalSEAT BELTS

ON OCTOBER 2002, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, WHEN WE WENT TO VIEW HER VEHICLE, I NOTICED HER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL, ON THE INSIDE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY. THIS DOOR WAS HIT FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CAR THAT RAN INTO HER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE WINDOW TO ROLL UP CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THATS WHY THE DOOR GOT BURNT. WHEN THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY MOTHER WAS BURNED VERY BADLY, AS THIS WAS NOT THE TOTAL CAUSE OF HER DEATH, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.

20040422CrashFireFatalVISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

ON OCTOBER 2002, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, WHEN WE WENT TO VIEW HER VEHICLE, I NOTICED HER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL, ON THE INSIDE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY. THIS DOOR WAS HIT FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CAR THAT RAN INTO HER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE WINDOW TO ROLL UP CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THATS WHY THE DOOR GOT BURNT. WHEN THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY MOTHER WAS BURNED VERY BADLY, AS THIS WAS NOT THE TOTAL CAUSE OF HER DEATH, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.

20040422CrashFireFatalSTEERING

ON OCTOBER 2002, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, WHEN WE WENT TO VIEW HER VEHICLE, I NOTICED HER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANEL, ON THE INSIDE WAS BURNED COMPLETELY. THIS DOOR WAS HIT FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CAR THAT RAN INTO HER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE WINDOW TO ROLL UP CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THATS WHY THE DOOR GOT BURNT. WHEN THE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE, MY MOTHER WAS BURNED VERY BADLY, AS THIS WAS NOT THE TOTAL CAUSE OF HER DEATH, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE.

20040112FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

UPON STARTING THE CAR ON A COLD DAY (AROUND 0 F), A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL CAME THROUGH THE DASHBOARD VENTS. THE ODOR DISSIPATED WHILE DRIVING, BUT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED/IDLING (EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP), THE OVERWHELMING GASOLINE VAPOR ODOR CAME BACK THROUGH THE VENTS. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL SOURCE--IN MY 2.2L ENGINE, THERE IS A SHORT RUBBER HOSE CONNECTING TWO METAL FUEL LINES THAT BECOMES WETTED WITH FUEL AND SOMETIMES EVEN DRIPS DOWN ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE ONE SOURCE, IF NOT THE ONLY ONE, FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE PASSENGERS' HEALTH, BUT INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS WELL. PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING INTERNET DISCUSSION: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=131755&PERPAGE=50&PAGENUMBER=1 *LA

20040107POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CENTER SUPPORT BEARING

PREMATURE FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED AT 36,408 MILES. IT PROBABLY STARTED FAILING SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES EARLIER. I WASN'T AWARE OF THE CHANGE UNTIL A FRIEND POINTED OUT THE NOISE THAT HE THOUGHT SOUNDED LIKE THE WHEEL BEARING. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ALTERING THE REPAIR PROCESS TO AVOID "REPEAT PREMATURE FAILURES"(QUOTE FROM THE SERVICE BULLETIN.

Mileage: 36,000

20040105CrashSUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE FISH TAILED AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. *AK

Mileage: 51,000

20030610ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE, AND IT BEGUN TO THROW OIL, OIL WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NOT UNUSAL BECAUSE THE AUTO HAS TO BE BLOWN OUT.*AK

20021105POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FOR NHTSA ODI NUMBER: 768872. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURED I CONTACTED THE CAR DEALER, THEY SAID THAT PARTS AND REPAIRS WERE ONLY COVERED FOR ONE YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I CONTACTED SUBARU AMERICA(CASE # 440952) BEFORE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM THAT THIS REPLACEMENT WOULD BE THE 3RD RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING IN THE CAR. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALER, THEY EXAMINED THE BEARING. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME SUBARU HAD CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM CHECK THE PART NUMBER OF THE FAILED BEARING. THE NUMBER MATCHED THE NUMBER SUBARU HAD GIVEN HIM TO CHECK FOR, THE BEARING WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PART NUMBER FREE A CHARGE. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED I CALLED SUBARU AMERICA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ORIGINAL PART THAT FAILED TO SEE IF I COULD RE-COUP THE COST OF THE 1ST REPLACEMENT($316.000). THEY WOULDN'T ADMIT THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND SAID THAT THE DEALER CHANGED THE PART BECAUSE I PROBABLY WAS A GOOD CUSTO

Compare 2000SUBARUIMPREZA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
The 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA has 54 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Yes, the 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The most-complained component for the 2000 SUBARU IMPREZA is POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2000 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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.