SubaruImpreza2006Overview/subaru/impreza/2006/base/

2006 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Subaru Impreza is classified as a passenger car featuring an Automatic 4-spd transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 18/24/20 mpg, requiring 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. In the context of the model's complaint history from 1990-2026, this model year accumulated 56 total owner complaints with Air Bags as the top complaint area, a significant decrease from the 300 complaints recorded at the 2002 peak. Although 10 recalls were issued, the 2006 Impreza sits well below the highest complaint thresholds in the vehicle's history, marking a moderate reliability position within the covered years that avoids both the 2002 peak and the single complaint recorded in 2026.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 420 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 420 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.6 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight3016 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2002 2.5RS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20072.5i Sedan 2.5L F-47.90 sec16.00 sec173 hpAWD
20022.5RS Sedan 2.5L F-47.80 sec16.10 sec165 hpAWD
20002.5RS Sedan 2.5L F-47.80 sec15.90 sec165 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.1 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing17, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance420 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression148-185 psi. 7 variance psi.

Brakes

Wheel Application14
Torque Caliper to Bracket27.5 ft-lbs / 19.5 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Wheel Application15
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1, 225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
7All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
8All Bolts, 80-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
536 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
536 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Subaru Impreza sits at a notable inflection point in its generation’s federal record. Complaints dropped to 56 from 75 in 2005 and remained below the 2004 peak of 96, yet recalls spiked to 10—the highest in the 2002–2007 redesign cycle—while investigations fell to just one. This suggests Subaru proactively addressed emerging concerns through recalls rather than reactive investigations, a trend that continued with even higher recall volumes in 2008–2010. The top complaint areas—air bags (18), engine (5), and hydraulic brakes (4)—mirror broader generation-wide patterns, though the 2006 model’s crash-related complaints (3) and zero fire reports indicate no unusual safety outliers. The data implies Subaru corrected issues early in the 2006 model year, making it a comparatively stable choice within its generation. **Takeaway: the 2006 Impreza is a prudent used buy, offering lower complaints than adjacent years and recall-backed fixes for its era’s common issues.**

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
137
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
56
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 56 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags18
Engine5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Power Train3
Service Brakes2
Fuel System, Gasoline2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V003000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

20V002000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 137 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Impreza take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.