Model year guide

1993 Subaru Impreza

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Subaru Impreza is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

1993 Subaru Impreza — representative photo
Representative photo

1993 Subaru Impreza at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints45
Combined23–24 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1993 Subaru Impreza recalls 3

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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 NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap NHTSA Campaign #93V072000 · 27/04/1993

THE FUEL FILLER SYSTEM DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE LEAKAGE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Fix: A MODIFIED REPLACEMENT FUEL VENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE FUEL FILLER SYSTEM TO REDUCE LEAKING.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1993 Subaru Impreza common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1993 Subaru Impreza MPG & running costs

Combined23–24 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,850
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1993 Subaru Impreza costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,250
Fuel only$14,250
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 17

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.

This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.

Bulletin 12-249-23R · Equipment · Jul 2023

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

Bulletin 15-302-22 · Equipment, Electrical System · Aug 2022

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Bulletin 01-167-08R · Equipment · Aug 2022

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

Bulletin 15-192-22R · Electrical System · Mar 2022

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

Bulletin 01-167-08R · Electrical System, Equipment · Jun 2021

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

Bulletin 09-51-08R · Equipment, Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2021

To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.

Bulletin 14-22-16R · Equipment · Feb 2021

Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.

Bulletin 14-22-16R · Equipment · Aug 2020

All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)

Bulletin 01-181-20 · Equipment · Apr 2020

Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.

Bulletin Subaru Tech Tips · Equipment · May 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the IMPREZA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1993 Subaru Impreza. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

NOTE: 1993 IMPREZA SPORT WAGON 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE FUEL LEAKAGE REQUIREMENTS OF C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. CORRECTION: A MODIFIED REPLACEMENT FUEL VENT PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Transport Canada #1993061 · Apr 1993

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Subaru Impreza

The Subaru Impreza is a compact car that has been manufactured by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992. It was introduced as a replacement for the Leone, with the predecessor's EA series engines replaced by the new EJ series. It is now in its sixth generation.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1993 Subaru Impreza vehicles on record

Other Subaru Impreza model years

1993 Subaru Impreza — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 Subaru Impreza have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 Subaru Impreza. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Subaru Impreza?

Across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility, air bags, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Subaru Impreza get?

The 1993 Subaru Impreza has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.