The secondary air injection pump failed to turn off and nearly caught fire. Subaru has recalled this part and the related relay switch for 2008-14 imprezas, but this problem also exists with 2006 imprezas. My mechanic says this is very common failure point for my model.
The worst 2006 Subaru WRX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine5
- Fuel system4
- Transmission4
- Body1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine5
- Fuel system4
- Transmission4
- Body1
Recalls 3
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Recall number 20V001000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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 ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Recall number 20V002000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Recall number 20V003000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Subaru WRX 131
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is an update announcement regarding the TechShare & NorthStar Integration
- This announcement provides information on the connected services platform for Subaru EVs.
- This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES)...
- This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but...
- This announcement provides information on DCM replacememts due to a parasitic draw.
- This announcement provides information on an outage affecting the Subaru Select Monitor 5 application.
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the availability of ThreeBond 1216J (SOA868V9640) designed for...
- This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a...
- This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
What 2006 Subaru WRX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle was being driven on a public road at 30 MPH. Engine oil pressure light came on so vehicle was parked in a business parking lot to check oil level. Oil level was full. Owner checked on internet for possible causes of this symptom and discovered numerous references to a broken oil pick up tube. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop for evaluation. Shop informed owner upon removal of oil pan that aluminum shavings were discovered in the oil and that indeed the oil pick up tube was broken. Shop informed owner that this is a common problem seen on certain model years of subaru vehicles. Failure of this part causes oil starvation and catastrophic motor damage requiring rebuild or replacement of short block and other related inspections and cleanings of parts through which oil flows. Part in question is not a normal wear and tear part. Aftermarket manufacturers such as killerbee have engineered a better product and conducted independent investigation of issue with oem part and explain that the brazing process used to join the bracket and the tube in fact weaken the tube. In addition, the flux used during brazing is not properly cleaned on some parts which leads the manufacturer to believe this is a quality issue that subaru has overlooked. Owner contact subaru requesting assistance with repair costs and was denied with the explanation that vehicle is out of warranty. Cost to replace short block with labor is $6500. Owner has experience as an automotive technician and understands the difference between failure due to owner negligence and failure due to a non wear and tear part that is not in subaru regular service procedures. Failure of part at a higher rate of speed can cause severe engine damage and a possible unsafe condition in which the motor can lock up and cause vehicle to come to a sudden stop. Numerous owners have reported similar issues.
Raw fuel smell outside and inside the vehicle during and after cold starts
Upon start up of my 2006 subaru wrx, there is visual evidence of fuel leakage under the intake manifold on the passenger side of engine. This only happens during times of cold weather. You cannot see the leak as it is underneath components however, you can smell raw fuel and see where it puddles up after a few moments of engine operation. This puddle accumulates on top of the engine block, directly in front of the turbocharger and exhaust system. This is cause of major concern for the safety of myself, my family, passengers in my vehicle and other motorist on the road. Soa, subaru of america, has issued recalls for previous model years but should investigate to possibility of extending the recall to include more current model years. I have contacted soa with my problem to no avail.
Started my 2006 subaru wrx this morning in 5 degree temp, and there is an extremely strong smell of gasoline in the cabin. I have a short drive to work, but the smell stayed strong for a good 10mins.
At 3500 RPM shift from 2nd to 3rd gear at low level acceleration the 3rd gear teeth shattered and caused damage to the gearset. 3rd gear needed total replacement and metal debris floating in the casing until car could be stopped. 2000 miles later after subaru dealership repair and all new parts from the factory the same scenario occurs again 3rd gear chipped all teeth and car needed to be stopped immediately. Both incidents left the car with large amounts of metal debris which not only cause additional damage to other parts but also have the ability to cause the car to lock up and malfunction posing a serious threat to the driver and any passengers. This metal debris was observed in both transmission repairs. Subaru sighted "operator abuse" as the cause of the failure. However a serious design defect related to a significant deflection of the input shaft most likely is the real cause of the transmission failure.
Code p1410 secondary air injection system switching valve stuck open. This is a common error many 2006 and up subaru impreza wrx owners are having. The emissions system is prone to fail due to carbon buildup or moisture and rust contaminating valves, leading to repairs costing $700 to $1500. This failure is common even with low mileage. Note these codes are also associated with this failure: 06/07 wrx: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0416 p0417 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2440 p2441 p2442 p2443 p2444 07 sti: p0410 p0411 p0413 p0414 p0418 p2431 p2432 p2433 p2441 p2444
Stud bolt connecting strut arm from rear hatch to car frame failed. This caused the strut arm to become disconnected with the rear hatch and the rear hatch door no long is able to remain ajar without manual support. Door will close on user without notice.
1. Oil light flickers on and then stays on at idle or under low rev's 2. The failure is the oil pick up line resulting in a cracked line and damaged engine. 3. Usually damage is sufficient to warrant a replaced long block and turbo from manufacturer. However no sufficient replacement is made about part prone to failure even with a new engine.
Oil pick up tube cracked.
Compare the 2006 Subaru WRX
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Questions about the 2006 Subaru WRX
Is the 2006 Subaru WRX reliable?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2006 Subaru WRX, fewer than a typical WRX model year.
What is the 2006 Subaru WRX year score?
The 2006 Subaru WRX scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru WRX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Subaru WRX?
Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints. Next is fuel system (4).
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru WRX have?
3 recalls, covering air bags.
What year does the Subaru WRX have bad engine?
The Subaru WRX model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (18 complaints), 2015 (18 complaints) and 2022 (15 complaints).
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