1995 Subaru Impreza: common problems

Owners of the 1995 Subaru Impreza filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 46
involving a crash: 11

What fails most often

1 Air bags 43% of all complaints
2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
4 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
5 Visibility 9% of all complaints
6 Equipment 7% of all complaints
7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Air bags: 20 complaints (43% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Fuel system: 8 complaints (17% of all).
Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (9% of all).
Visibility: 4 complaints (9% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speed

Drive: AWD, FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 46 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

airbags did not deploy4 · 9%
seat belts3 · 7%
rust, corrosion2 · 4%
smoke, burning smell, fire2 · 4%
A/C or heater1 · 2%
engine failure or replacement1 · 2%
fuel system, fuel smell1 · 2%
headlights and tail lights1 · 2%
windows, sunroof1 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Air bags	20	10
Fuel system	8	0
Electrical system	4	0
Engine and cooling	4	0
Visibility	4	0
Equipment	3	0
Service brakes	3	1
Exterior lighting	2	0
Seat belts	2	0
Suspension	2	0
Vehicle speed control	2	1
Wheels	2	0
Powertrain	1	0
Seats	1	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

While driving 35-40 mph had a direct frontal impact, and driver's/ passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupants in this crash. There was no previous problems with airbag system. Please provide further information.
Air bags · crash · 2000-05-30 · NHTSA complaint #862652
The consumer was in an accident and the driver and passenger side air bag did not deploy and the driver side seat belt did not lock. Tt
Air bags · crash · 1996-02-13 · NHTSA complaint #979147
Consumer was in an accident and drivers side air bag did not deploy. Tt
Air bags · crash · 1996-01-30 · NHTSA complaint #978400
Rear wires in hatch boot completely severed. No third brake light, wiper, or defogger because of issue.
Electrical system · 2015-01-05 · NHTSA complaint #10670306
Gas tank filler tube has rust through. Can not fill tank over half full or gas will leak out.
Fuel system · 2010-03-01 · NHTSA complaint #10315272
At 53743 miles right wheel bearing went, fixed by dealer. I noticed the same noise again at 78378, only 24,635 later the right rear wheel bearing needed to be replaced again. I called subaru and they told me it was a wear item.
Suspension · 2003-09-24 · NHTSA complaint #10039432
Right rear wheel bearing went at 53,743 miles on my 1995 subaru impreza. Subaru had a tsb and used legacy bearings for the fix. If not fixed tire can separate from car and lose control.
Suspension · 2003-09-24 · NHTSA complaint #10039431
While traveling on the highway without prior warning the vehicle shut down. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
Engine and cooling · 2002-11-25 · NHTSA complaint #8023312

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

19957
19967
19974
19986
19997
20006
20012
20022
20032
20052
20101
20151

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 5,571 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Impreza has 74 complaints (36 years in the data). This year has 46, below average.

What to check before buying

Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Subaru Impreza?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 46. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (9%), seat belts (7%), rust, corrosion (4%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1995 Subaru Impreza?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 1995 Subaru Impreza from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 1995 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.