1990 Subaru Impreza problems
The Subaru Impreza (Japanese: スバル・インプレッサ, Hepburn: Subaru Inpuressa) 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.
Subaru has offered a 5-door hatchback body variant since 2008. The firm also offered a coupé from 1995 until 2001, a 4-door sedan up to the fifth generation, and a 5-door wagon from the Impreza's introduction which was replaced by a hatchback with the third generation in 2008. Mainstream versions have received "boxer" flat-four engines ranging from 1.5- to 2.5-liters, with the performance-oriented Impreza WRX and WRX STI models upgraded with the addition of turbochargers. Since the third generation series, some markets have adopted the abbreviated Subaru WRX name for these high-performance variants. The first three generations of Impreza were also available with an off-road appearance non-SUV package called the Outback Sport, exclusive to the North American market. For the fourth generation, this appearance package was raised up to be subcompact crossover SUV and renamed the XV (Crosstrek in North America), and is sold internationally. Colloquially, the car is sometimes referred to as Scooby.
Subaru has offered front- and all-wheel drive layouts for the Impreza. Since the late-1990s, some markets have restricted sales to the all-wheel drive model, putting the Impreza in a unique selling proposition in the global compact class, which is usually characterized by front-wheel drive. Japanese models remain available in both configurations.
A 2019 iSeeCars study named the Impreza as the lowest-depreciating sedan in the United States after five years.
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Common 1990 Subaru Impreza problems
The Subaru Impreza, a compact car produced by the Japanese automaker Subaru since 1992, has been known for its reliability. However, certain model years, including the 1990 model, have experienced specific problems based on complaints from owners.
- Engine Oil Consumption: Older Imprezas, including the 1990 model, have had issues with excessive engine oil consumption. This problem can be caused by worn-out piston rings and rod bearings, which can lead to leaks. In some cases, this issue may require a complete engine rebuild, which can be costly and time-consuming.
- Head Gasket Failure: The 1990 Subaru Impreza, like other early models, may suffer from head gasket failures. This issue is caused by the coolant becoming pressurized, leading to head gasket failure. This problem is more prevalent in the second generation of Legacy models, but it can also affect the 1990 Impreza.
- Automatic Transmission Issues: The 1990 Subaru Impreza, particularly the FWD automatic version, may experience problems with the automatic transmission. These issues can include the transmission getting stuck in specific gears, such as 1st or 3rd gear, and difficulty shifting into other gears. In some cases, this problem may be caused by a failed TCU (Transmission Control Unit). The TCU is typically located near the transmission or under the dashboard, and replacing it can help resolve the issue.
In summary, the 1990 Subaru Impreza can experience engine oil consumption issues, head gasket failures, and automatic transmission problems. These issues can be costly and time-consuming to repair, but addressing them promptly can help maintain the vehicle's reliability and longevity.
Is The Subaru Impreza a reliable car?
Subaru Impreza
The Impreza's reliability score is ranked 33rd out of 36 compact cars by RepairPal, earning a 3.5 out of five-star rating. The average annual repair cost is $653, which isn't terribly high, but there is a 17% chance of severe repairs.
What are the disadvantages of the Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza is a roomy and practical little hatchback. Standard all-wheel drive at a reasonable price is a nice bonus too. A lackluster driving experience and a ho-hum cabin design are its biggest drawbacks.
What years did Subaru have problems?
Subaru Outback Years to Avoid
- 1996 – 2008. Image Courtesy: Subaru. These Outbacks had an issue with the head gasket and engine overheating. ...
- 2010 – 2013. Outback from this period had issues with transmissions. ...
- 2015 – 2019. Unexpected acceleration issues, which are safety hazards, were reported by owners.
How long will a Subaru Impreza engine last?
Despite its smaller size, the Impreza is built to last, with many drivers reporting longevity and reliability well beyond 200,000 miles.
What is the main problem with Subaru Impreza?
Common problems with the Subaru Impreza include engine issues, sudden and abrupt acceleration, transmission failure, and air bag problems. The 2008 and 2012 models of the Subaru Impreza should be avoided, but the rest have generally good reliability.
Is The Subaru Impreza a reliable car?
Subaru Impreza
The Impreza's reliability score is ranked 33rd out of 36 compact cars by RepairPal, earning a 3.5 out of five-star rating. The average annual repair cost is $653, which isn't terribly high, but there is a 17% chance of severe repairs.
What years did Subaru have a bad engine?
The Group 2 head gasket issues
| Subaru head gasket issue | Car Models |
|---|---|
| External leaks between the engine block and the cylinder heads | Subaru Impreza (from 1999 to 2011) Subaru Forester (from 1999 to 2010) Subaru Legacy (from 2000 to 2009) Subaru Outback (from 2000 to 2009) Subaru Baja (from 2003 to 2006) |
What are the disadvantages of the Subaru Impreza?
The Subaru Impreza is a roomy and practical little hatchback. Standard all-wheel drive at a reasonable price is a nice bonus too. A lackluster driving experience and a ho-hum cabin design are its biggest drawbacks.
1990 Subaru Impreza car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Impreza problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Subaru Impreza vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Subaru Impreza complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Subaru Impreza.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-03
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK UNLESS PRESSING RELEASE BUTTON, DISSCONNECT ALLARM, NO POWER TO SOLENOID, REPAIR WIRING FOR STOP LITES AND SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF2BJ65C9LH
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Subaru Impreza problems:
90' Legacy wagon ?common problems? - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
Feb 27, 2004 ... Ultimate Subaru Message Board · Existing user ... 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX ... common problems?
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza reliable? I'm buying a used car and ...
Sep 10, 2020 ... The other frequent problem on turbo Subarus is turbo failure. This is often due to oil starvation, sometimes from failure of thr oil control ...
EG33 curious...any "common" problems? - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
Feb 3, 2010 ... There are no real issues with the engine other than Subaru style oil leaks. The biggest problem is the tranny. They are prone to overheating ...
What's the reliability of a 90s Subaru I found a coupe that looks like ...
May 20, 2021 ... What's the reliability of a 90s Subaru I ... I have a 98 and I have had no problems ... r/subaruimpreza - Going to look at a Subaru Impreza 2.0 GX ...
2.2L engine weaknesses? - 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza ...
Dec 9, 2004 ... What are some of the chief concerns regarding the 2.2L engines? Especially in mid-90's models? C7. No. The 2.2 is one of the best engines subaru ...
Other years of Subaru Impreza
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