Subaru›Impreza›1996›1.8L/subaru/impreza/1996/1-8l/

1996 Subaru Impreza — 1.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Impreza 1.8L. Covers both the standard and High Output 1.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 1.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Subaru Impreza 1.8L is a passenger car powered by a 1.8-liter engine paired with an automatic four-speed transmission, with routine service calling for 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg. Across the 1990–2026 Impreza complaint history, the 1996 model logged 27 owner complaints and three recalls, with air bags cited as the top complaint area. That places it well below the line’s peak complaint year, 2002, which accumulated 300 complaints, and above only the very lowest reported year, 2026, with one complaint. For researchers, the 1996 model year reads as one of the less complaint-heavy entries in the long-term record, though it is not entirely free of reported issues.

Model year1997 1996 1995

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 torque58-72 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/28/24 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 · 360 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 · 360 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.4 in
Overall width	67.3 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	99.2 in
Curb weight	2566 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.5 / 57.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 28 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	84 cu ft
Cargo volume	11 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 1996 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

12.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.70 sec — 1993 L Wagon

110 hpHorsepower (as tested)

110 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1993	L Wagon 1.8L F-4	12.70 sec	19.00 sec	110 hp	AWD

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 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-72 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.6 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	29-31 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	87-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	10MM

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	58-72 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.63-0.77 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,400-15,600 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13-17 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	0.99-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	360 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	169-176 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	5-20 ohms
Engine Compression	156-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	38 ft-lbs / 25-33 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0029 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in / 0.709 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	Bolts 1-2	25 ft. lbs
6	Bolts 3-6	11 ft. lbs
7	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
8	80-90 degrees.	80–90 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.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 1996 Subaru Impreza recorded 27 complaints, which is markedly lower than the 64 complaints in 1995 and the 34 complaints in 1997 that flank it. Recall activity remained steady at three recalls, matching the levels seen in 1995 and 1997, while investigations fell to zero in 1996 after two each in 1994 and 1995. Technical service bulletins increased to 22, continuing the upward trend from 13 in 1990 to 22 in 1996, reflecting growing service documentation rather than a spike in defects. Overall, 1996 sits in a complaint trough between the mid‑1990s peak and the later rise seen toward the end of the generation. Consequently, the 1996 model offers a comparatively low‑risk profile among early‑generation Imprezas, making it a reasonable choice for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 27 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Wheels3

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Suspension2

Seats2

Tires1

Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
12-249-23R	2023-07-11	Equipment	This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering…
15-302-22	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R	2022-03-18	Electrical System	This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R	2021-06-17	Electrical System	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…

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

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VIN

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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.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Impreza 1.8L take?

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

Does the 1996 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 1.8L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.