RoadVitals

1997 Subaru Impreza

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Nov 12, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Subaru Impreza, most frequently naming the airbags, powertrain (other) and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags615.8%
  • Powertrain (other)513.2%
  • Suspension410.5%
  • Tires & wheels410.5%
  • Interior & seats37.9%
  • Seat belts25.3%
  • Visibility25.3%
  • Body & structure25.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 30
Airbags
Filed Nov 12, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH DOWN AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON A PATCH OF ICE AND CRASHED INTO A CREEK. UPON IMPACT, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED WITH DEBRIS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000......UPDATED 02/10/16 *BF

NHTSA ID
10789985
Incident
Feb 12, 2013
Mileage
150,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed May 28, 2006

FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10158476
Incident
May 20, 2006
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2004

REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND ADDITIONAL 4 TIMES OUT OF WARRANTY. BEARING WERE REPLACED DURING EACH REPAIR, SOMETIMES AXELS AND HOUSINGS AS WELL. SUBARU REFUSED TO CONTINUE REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. 8 FAILUES TOTAL AT REGULAR INTERVALS . *AK

NHTSA ID
10082500
Incident
Jun 25, 1997
Airbags
Filed Sep 9, 2003
1 injury reported

BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED WHEN IGNITION OF CAR WAS STARTED. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RUNNING PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. THE AUTOMOBILE WAS STATIONARY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037559
Incident
May 25, 2003
Mileage
80,000 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Feb 25, 2003

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK CORRECTLY. THE RECLINING LEVER FOR THE BACK OF THE SEAT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD'VE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10009303
Incident
Feb 11, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 22, 2003

WHEEL HUB KEEPS COMING OFF AFTER REPLACEMENT OF TIRE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR DUE TO A WHEEL HUB COMING OFF AND HITTING WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD DID NOT BREAK.

NHTSA ID
10003222
Incident
Dec 29, 2002
Mileage
99,550 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 26, 2002
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A "FAULTY AXLE" CONSUMER WILL SEND MORE INFORMATION WHY THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DIAGNOSIS PROVIDED TECHNICIAN OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. TS

NHTSA ID
10001523
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 9, 2002
Crash reported

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER SEAT WILL FULLY RECLINE BACK CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH

NHTSA ID
8023971
Incident
Nov 28, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

12-249-23R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

15-192-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

09-51-08R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Impreza by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025400—
2024302053.2
2023420—
2022121049.5
2021142043.4
2020851044.8
20191935050.2
20181495050.0
20171257056.3
2016751043.2
2015772046.5
20141083055.2
20132494052.7
20122426154.1
20115714060.7
20104515050.7
200910315050.5
200817615051.6
2007689159.9
20065610152.4
2005756361.5
2004968460.2
2003626564.6
20022926458.8
2001113059.0
2000414052.4
1999224048.4
1998303044.1
1997Viewing303057.1
1996203056.7
1995464268.4
1994832—
1993333059.2
1990100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.