1997 Subaru Impreza Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Subaru Impreza, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags615.8%
- Powertrain (other)513.2%
- Suspension410.5%
- Tires & wheels410.5%
- Interior & seats37.9%
- Seat belts25.3%
- Visibility25.3%
- Body & structure25.3%
- Driver assistance25.3%
- Electrical25.3%
- Other / unspecified25.3%
- Steering12.6%
- Exterior lighting12.6%
- Engine12.6%
- Brakes12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHEEL HUBS DO NOT STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. THEY WILL JUST POP RIGHT OFF, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK REAR WHEEL COVER CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE DEALER STATES THAT THE WHEEL COVER WAS NOT OUT ON CORRECTLY. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN, SEAT FELL BACK INTO THE BACKSEAT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HUTCH PASSES THROUGH RUBBER BOOT. REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HUTCH BREAKS THE WIRING. REAR TOP BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WIPER POWER LOCKS ARE AFFECTED. ALSO IN ANOTHER BOOT THE TUBE FOR A REAR WASHER IS SIMILARLY SEVERED, WASHER FLUID ENTERS THE CAR.*AK
CONTACTED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER BOTH SENT CONSUMER A TOOL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WILL BE A REACCURRING PROBLEM. WHEN EVER USINGWINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURNING MOTOR TO HIGH MODE, THE WIPERS WILL THEN STOP AT RANDOM UNTILL CONSUMER TIGHTENS THE WIPERSWITH THE TOOLS PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HUTCH PASSES THROUGH RUBBER BOOT. REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HUTCH BREAKS THE WIRING. REAR TOP BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WIPER POWER LOCKS ARE AFFECTED. ALSO IN ANOTHER BOOT THE TUBE FOR A REAR WASHER IS SIMILARLY SEVERED, WASHER FLUID ENTERS THE CAR.*AK
WHEEL WELLS ARE BUILDING UP EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND ICE CAUSING VEHICLE TIRES TO HAVE DIFFICULTY ROTATING AND TURNING DUE TO ICE BLOCKING TIRES IN WHEEL WELLS, CAUSING CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY SLIDE OR SKID ON ICEY ROADS. ALSO CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND MISALIGNMENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLES IDLE WILL NOT GO DOWN, IT REVS FROM 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. WHEN IT SHOULD BE AT 800. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS, THE SPEED CONTINUES TO INCREASE, IN A NORMAL SITUATION SPEEDING DOWN HILL 50 MPH USING ENGINE AS BRAKE, SPEEDS EXCEED 70 MPH IN 5TH AND 4TH GEAR, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN, CONSUMER STATED HE CONTACTED DEALER BUT STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATED HE HAS RAN ACROSS OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE HIS WITH ONBOARD COMPUTER COMPUTERS.*JB
HAD STARTED VEHICLE AND IT LURCHED FORWARD. HIT GARAGE WALL & WENT THROUGH IT. HAD FOOT ON BRAKES & VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO CHECK. WAS INFORMED HARD TO LOCATE PROBLEM DUE TO WIRING & COMPUTER PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HUTCH PASSES THROUGH RUBBER BOOT. REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HUTCH BREAKS THE WIRING. REAR TOP BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WIPER POWER LOCKS ARE AFFECTED. ALSO IN ANOTHER BOOT THE TUBE FOR A REAR WASHER IS SIMILARLY SEVERED, WASHER FLUID ENTERS THE CAR.*AK
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY GOING OUT. CONSUMER REPLACING FUSES TO PREVENT IT FROM BECOMING A NORMAL CONDITION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
LEFT REAR WHEEL WENT BAD AT 43000 MILES, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES, LAST REPLACMENT WAS NEEDED AFTER ONLY 3000 MILES. BEFORE REPLACEMENT A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM REAR OF VEHICLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL CRACKED, ABOUT A 6 INCH GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE AIRBAG IS SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY. CANNOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT TO CRACK.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DESIGN OF MULTIFUNCTION LEVER CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO ACCIDENTALLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE TURN SIGNAL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT HIGHWAY AND CITY SPEEDS UNEXPECTEDLY. OFTEN DIFFICULT TO RESTART. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ON THREE OCCASSIONS TO SUBARU DEALERS. NEITHER OF TWO LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERS ( CASEY OF NEWPORT NEWS VA OR ROUGHTON OF NORFOLK VA ) HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ANALYZE OR REPAIR VEHICLE. WAITED 9 WEEKS FOR PARTS WHICH NEVER ARRIVED FROM JAPAN WHICH ONE DEALER THOUGHT, BUT WOULD NOT GUARANTEE, MIGHT SOLVE PROBLEM. ELECTRICAL FAILURES OCCURRED IN VEHICLE O/A MAY OF 1998. I HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS. VEHICLE IS SO UNSAFE ICANNOT DRIVE IT. I ONLY WISH TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED SO THAT SAFE OPERATION IS AGAIN POSSIBLE. CAN ANALYXE OR REPAIR VEHICLE. ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITNESSED BY WIFE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; WHEN STOPPING IN A PANIC SITUATION, STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATER THAN EXPECTED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, AND THE SYSTEM KICKED IN. BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING A VERY HUGE VEHICLE, WITH THE WEIGHT PUSHING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .