Buy Subaru Impreza Bumper Covers

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Quick Overview

A bumper cover (also called a fascia, skin, shell, or housing) is the lightweight plastic body panel you see at the very front and rear of every Subaru Impreza. It sits over the steel reinforcement beam and foam energy absorber, shaping the car's look, holding sensors and lights, and smoothing airflow for better fuel economy. Because it's made of flexible thermoplastic, the cover takes most low-speed scrapes, is inexpensive to repaint, and can be swapped out without cutting or welding. Understanding how it fits, what it's made of, and how to care for it helps you save money and keep your Impreza looking new.

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Fitment Basics

• Subaru uses different bumper covers for each generation (1993-2001 GC, 2002-2007 GD, 2008-2011 GE, 2012-2016 GP, 2017-2023 GK/GT, and the 2024-present GU). Always match the year, body style (sedan or 5-door), and trim that decides openings for fog-lamp bezels, grille inserts, and parking sensors.
• Front covers attach with about 10-14 plastic pop-clips along the radiator support, three screws at each wheel arch, and a pair of slide-on tabs under the headlights; removal typically takes 15 minutes with a clip tool and Phillips screwdriver. (YouTube)
• Rear covers sit over a molded foam absorber and bolt to side brackets behind the quarter panels; expect extra fasteners if your car has back-up sensors.

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Materials & Construction

• Most Impreza skins are injection-molded from paint-grade polypropylene (PP) that flexes instead of denting and weighs roughly 4-5 kg (about 10 lb). (Amazon)
• PP can be filled with talc or rubber to fine-tune strength and impact toughness, according to SAE studies on bumper plastics. (ResearchGate)
• Behind the cover is an energy-absorbing block made of expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. This ultra-light "crumple sponge" cushions 5 mph taps without major body damage. (Engineered Foam Products)
• High-strength steel or aluminum beams carry harder hits and bolt to crash boxes on the frame rails; engineers model the whole set-up to pass 2.5 mph pendulum and barrier tests. (SAE International)

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Front vs Rear Differences

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Safety & Regulations

• U.S. passenger cars must withstand four impacts at 2.5 mph on the bumper line with no safety-critical damage, per 49 CFR §581. (eCFR)
• IIHS crash data show the 2024 Impreza maintains cabin space in small-overlap impacts, thanks in part to strong bumper structures that manage initial crush. (IIHS Crash Testing)
• Subaru's optional Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert use radar modules tucked inside the corners of the rear fascia; a cracked shell can block signals. (Subaru)

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Add-On Features

• Fog-light bezels snap into pre-molded pockets; Subaru sells left/right inserts separately so you can upgrade lower trims. (Amazon)
• The factory license-plate bracket bolts to pre-marked dimples, avoiding guess-work drilling. Subaru's install guide warns not to over-tighten into plastic wells. (Subaru Tech Info)
• Parking sensors (2018-up) press-fit into 26 mm holes and connect to an under-trunk harness; if you retrofit, sensor calibration is not required as long as height remains stock. (Reddit)

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Installation Tips

1. Unclip the splash shield. Drop the three push-pins under the radiator before prying the fascia.
2. Protect paint. Lay masking tape on headlight edges so tabs don't scratch during removal.
3. Slide, don't yank. Pull the corners straight out, then move the whole cover forward to clear the fender tabs.
4. Check alignment. When refitting, make sure the top tabs sit flush; mis-alignment causes hood gap complaints. (YouTube)

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Paint & Finish

• Bare PP is slippery; professional painters clean with mild detergent, scuff-pad the surface, and spray an adhesion-promoter primer before color coat. (PPG)
• Subaru paint codes sit on the driver-side door jamb sticker (example: KH2 "Satin White"). (YouTube)
• Always bake or infrared-cure below 140 °F; higher heat can warp thin plastic lips.

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Care & Maintenance

• Rinse road salt quickly-chlorides accelerate paint flake on plastic edges.
• Use a microfiber mitt; stiff brushes leave swirl lines on flexible polyurethane clear-coats.
• Repair small gouges with flexible filler; standard body putty can crack when the fascia flexes.

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Common Upgrades

• STI-style 22B front fascia gives older GC-chassis cars a rally look without metal cutting. (ABS Dynamics)
• Rear bumper guards (textured ABS or stainless appliqués) shield the top edge from cargo scrapes. (Subaru)
• Aero lip spoilers clip to the lower mouth to reduce lift and add visual punch.

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Environmental Impact

• Bumper skins are one of the largest plastic parts on a car, but PP is 100 % recyclable; the EPA lists bumpers among durable goods with "promising" end-of-life recovery rates. (EPA نEPA Home Page)
• Some recycling programs grind fascias into pellets for reuse in wheel-well liners and splash guards, closing the materials loop. (US EPA)

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Q: What exactly is a bumper cover?
A: It's the outer plastic panel that hides the metal bumper beam and foam absorber, giving your Impreza its smooth style.

Q: Is the cover a safety part?
A: It helps channel crash energy into the beam and absorber at low speeds, but the steel beam does the heavy work during big crashes. (SAE International)

Q: Can I drive with a cracked fascia?
A: Yes for short trips, but exposed foam will soak water and sensors may mis-read, so plan repair soon.

Q: Does removing the front skin affect EyeSight®?
A: No-the stereo cameras live at the top of the windshield, not in the bumper. Just avoid blocking the radar box if equipped with adaptive cruise. (Subaru)

Q: Do all covers need paint?
A: Most arrive un-painted (primed black). Some aftermarket skins come ready-painted, but they still need clear-coat for UV protection.

Q: How do I fix broken tabs?
A: Plastic-weld PP strips across the crack or use a two-part urethane adhesive and clamp for 20 minutes.

Q: What's the torque for side brackets?
A: Subaru lists 69 N·m (51 ft-lb) for front bumper side bolts on mid-2000s models.

Q: Why is the bumper lighter than older metal ones?
A: PP weighs about one-third as much as steel, helping fuel economy and lowering pedestrian injury risk. (PubMed Central)

Q: Can I recycle the old cover?
A: Yes-check local yards that shred PP; ground plastic often becomes new car parts or outdoor benches. (EPA نEPA Home Page)

Q: Will bigger exhaust tips melt the rear fascia?
A: Keep a 2 inch gap; PP softens at 165 °F. Install a stainless heat shield if tips sit closer.

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Further Learning

• Read the full U.S. Bumper Standard at ecfr.gov.
• Check the 2024 Impreza crash scores at the IIHS safety portal.
• See Subaru's explanation of Blind-Spot Monitoring technology here.
• Painters can follow PPG's step-by-step guide for plastic prep on PPG Refinish.
• Learn about EPP energy absorbers from Engineered Foam Products.

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