1994 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability

8 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1994 Subaru Impreza, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 2/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.

8Complaints
2/100Trouble index
3Recalls

Few reports

Where 1994 sits among all Impreza years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Transmission & drivetrain 3 complaints (38%)
Other 2 complaints (25%)
Suspension 1 complaints (13%)
Speed control 1 complaints (13%)
Visibility & wipers 1 complaints (13%)

Recalls (3)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E025000 2009

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…

Fix: 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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 2009

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…

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS 98V315000 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Federal defect investigations

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT EA97010 opened 1997, closed 1998

Led to recall campaign 98V315000.

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PE96075 opened 1996, closed 1997

Technical service bulletins

19 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 1994 Subaru Impreza. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 1994 Impreza TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

1995peak 3 in 19961999

Questions buyers ask

Is the 1994 Subaru Impreza reliable?

The 1994 Subaru Impreza drew 8 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 2/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).

What are the most common 1994 Subaru Impreza problems?

The top reported problems for the 1994 Subaru Impreza are transmission & drivetrain (3 complaints), other (2), and suspension (1).

Does the 1994 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

3 recall campaigns apply to the 1994 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 1993 Impreza All Impreza years 1995 Impreza →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.