2017 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 2017 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
- Exterior lighting3223.4%
- Visibility2518.2%
- Electrical2115.3%
- Engine1410.2%
- Airbags118.0%
- Driver assistance85.8%
- Brakes75.1%
- Powertrain (other)53.6%
- Fuel system53.6%
- Other / unspecified42.9%
- Suspension21.5%
- Body & structure21.5%
- Steering10.7%
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
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the "Check Headlight Assembly" message was displayed, and the front passenger’s side headlight occasionally turned off or on, while attempting to start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,534.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)
I hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. I went to get the recall fixed when I found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am filing a safety complaint regarding an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure in my 2017 Subaru Impreza and the handling of a prior recall repair. Dealership records show that a recall repair (WRE21 – ignition coil recall) was completed in June 2021. At that time, the dealership documented that the ECM calibration was up to date and functioning properly. However, I later experienced a check engine light and drivability concerns. Diagnostic records from February 2026 indicate: •Camshaft slow response codes •Persistent sensor issues •A technician recommendation to replace multiple components, including the ECM, stating that codes were “burned into the ECM” The dealership has since attempted to attribute the ECM failure to “engine sludge” and lack of maintenance. Concern with Dealership Explanation: This explanation is inconsistent and raises serious concerns: •Engine sludge is a mechanical lubrication issue and does not directly cause an ECM (electronic control module) to fail or become “burned.” •The ECM is an electronic unit, and failure typically results from electrical defects, internal faults, or manufacturing issues—not oil sludge. •The dealership has not provided technical evidence showing how sludge could damage or “burn” the ECM. •This appears to be an attempt to shift responsibility away from a potential defect or improperly completed recall repair. Safety Concern: The ECM is critical to safe vehicle operation. A failure can result in: •Engine malfunction or reduced power •Unpredictable vehicle behavior •Increased risk while driving If ECM failures are being misdiagnosed or incorrectly attributed to maintenance issues, this could allow serious safety defects to go unaddressed. Requested Action: I request that NHTSA: 1.Investigate whether ECM failures are being improperly attributed to maintenance issues such as engine sludge. 2.Review whether the recall repair (WRE21) was properly completed and whether it is related to thi
I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. I went to get the recall fixed when I found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.
This is not a safety complaint. However I wish to share this information for your records kindly . Oil usage for 2017 Impreza per 2000 miles : 1.5Quarts (1419ml) ; Odometer approx 32 000 miles ; 5MT; Age 4 years Manufacturer notes this to be normal operating finding.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. No safety inspector has inspected the car yet. The insurance appraiser has inspected the car for the insurance company. 4. There were no warnings or dashboard lights indicating that the airbag had a problem and would fail to fully deploy.
The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that she sustained a neck and brain injury from the impact that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. No safety inspector has inspected the car yet. The insurance appraiser has inspected the car for the insurance company. 4. There were no warnings or dashboard lights indicating that the airbag had a problem and would fail to fully deploy.
Since new, maybe once a month, Cruise control idiot light comes on and flashes until car is turned off. usually no bother but one day it started braking without me and I bought the DUMB base model!!! before extended warranty expires, this august, hopefully dealer will replace wheel speed sensors on rear wheels. not sure if this will fix problem. I have asked them to check this six or seven times now. they tell me warranty may not cover it unless code is stored? hopefully they will stand behind product and fix it anyway. 2017 Impreza with 33000 miles and have done ALL recalls and maintenance!
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
[XXX] 2017 Subaru Impreza VIN [XXX] Cruze control error. Will it make brake lights fail if not repaired? go look in your database and see if Impreza has more than normal rear end collisions? What else is on bus that might be damaged by spike? Braking? Antilock? Lights? Why is this NOT a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The brakes on the car rusted out and were making noise. I took it to multiple Subaru dealerships and all of them told me nothing was wrong with my car. After dealing with this issue for 2 years, I finally took it to an independent mechanic who found the rust along with an absurd amount of lubricant on my rotors. He was the first person to listen to me and he didn't make me feel crazy. He completely replaced my calipers, rotors, and brakes.
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
Premature failure of wheel bearings. Both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced after only 54,192 miles. Technician indicated that replacements were upgraded "sealed" systems. At 73,712 miles the front driver's side wheel bearing was also replaced by the dealer after the same symptoms of excessive noise and poor mileage occurred. Concern is that high resistance in the failing bearings creates a lot of heat and could eventually cause catastrophic failure. In 40+ years of driving and owning cars with mileage accruals up to 229,000, this is the only one that ever required a wheel bearing replacement. This, and the technician's reference to upgraded bearings makes me believe that this is a manufacturing defect that should have been covered by a recall.
The clutch release bearing seized while driving preventing the clutch from being depressed. The only way to stop the car was by overpowering the clutch with the brakes and pulling the emergency brake. There is a service information bulletin (NUMBER: 03-82-18) currently for the known defective part. There were no dash lights on at the time.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate without warning. The contact then stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the traction control symbol flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. An attempt to jumpstart the vehicle also failed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was initially diagnosed with defective spark plugs and contaminated fuel. The contact was later informed that the failure was caused by a defective fuel pump that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,500.
I bought a "Subaru Impreza" 2017, and in the span of 4 years, had numerous issues, including: -dead battery -car suddenly stopping on highway: no electroninc warning whatsoever -over 6 possibly lethal recalls (mainly pertaining to car electronics andbrakes), which might cause car to stop moving/responsing to steering/braking at any moment, which I send in for repair ASAP. Afterwards, I was assured all the electronics and brake components had been checked, and I would be safe to drive everyday for work. -This week, after all these "repaired" recalls, my car suddenly while I was driving on one of the busiest/most dangerous highways in our area: it took me several minutes to even manage to pull onto the shoulder. During that time, I was almost hit 5 times, and had to call CHP to come take me. I could have easily been killed. and the CHP operator clearly told me not to drive this car again. -The next day, I got to Subaru dealership which sold me this car, asking for a loaner, and free repair. Although Subaru provided the loaner, they also gave me a 1133.98$ to fix the electronic issue, which they assured me "is not my fault, but not on the recall list, so even though it malfunctioned, I have to pay, even though their negligence almost cost me my life. I'm curious to know how many other Subaru 2017 drivers had similar experience.
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
Since new, maybe once a month, Cruise control idiot light comes on and flashes until car is turned off. usually no bother but one day it started braking without me and I bought the DUMB base model!!! before extended warranty expires, this august, hopefully dealer will replace wheel speed sensors on rear wheels. not sure if this will fix problem. I have asked them to check this six or seven times now. they tell me warranty may not cover it unless code is stored? hopefully they will stand behind product and fix it anyway. 2017 Impreza with 33000 miles and have done ALL recalls and maintenance!
The rear wheel bearing hubs continuously have to be replaced due to failure. I have 110,000 miles and have replaced the same rear wheel bearing 3x since buying the vehicle new. The 1st occured withing the first 30,000 miles
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
CAR ONLY YEAR OLD. RUST ON SUSPENSION COMPONENTS REAR OF CAR. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS.
ON MARCH 22, 2018, MY 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT WAGON, WITH APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TRAVELING AT 8 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT ' MAKING A RIGHT. 3/4 OF THE WAY THRU THE TURN I FELT A VIOLENT JARRING OF MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SLAMMED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY UPPER BODY NECK AND HEAD. I SAW THAT MY DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DID NOT CHANGE I STARTED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND APPLY THE BRAKES. HAD NO BRAKES. A WOMAN PULLED OVER AND SHE SAID " NO ONE HIT YOU, YOUR WHEEL JUST FELL OFF." POLICE CAME AND HELPED ME OUT OF MY CAR AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. WE NOTICED 1/2 OF MY WHEEL WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AND A POLICE OFFICER RECOVERED IT FOR ME. MITCHELL SUBARU INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SUBMITTED A CLAIM WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) STATING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. SOA THEN CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT. THE SOA REPRESENTATIVES WRONGLY CONCLUDED THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN A 'HIGH SPEED, REAR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE'. THEY DID NOT EXAMINE OR REMOVE ANY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FOR FURTHER TESTING. SOA CONCLUSIONS ARE COMPLETELY INACCURATE. THE POLICE OFFICER IS ADAMANT THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. EYEWITNESS ON THE SCENE STATED THAT SHE WATCHED THE EVENT UNFOLD AND THAT MY WHEEL 'FELL OFF'. THE ADJUSTER FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED THAT A 'MASSIVE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL / SUSPENSION CAUSED THE ACCIDENT', 'NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED'. A FACTORY TRAINED SUBARU TECHNICIAN WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE THAT POINTED TO A COLLISION AND THAT THE SCUFF MARKS NOTED BY SOA WHERE CAUSED BY THE REAR TIRE SLAMMING INTO THE PANEL. SOA DENIES ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEVASTATING FAILURE OF THEIR PRODUCT.
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
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO GET RUST IN THE TRUNK AROUND WHERE THE RAIN WATER SLIDES DOWN THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND TRIED TO CLAIM THE MANUFACTURER'S 3 YEAR ANTI CORROSION WARRANTY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE BUT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA DETERMINED THAT THE RUST WAS CAUSED BY "OUTSIDE INFLUENCES" AND REFUSED TO COVER IT WITH THE 3 YEAR ANTI CORROSION WARRANTY.
2017 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERS PUTTING AFTRMARKET PARTS ON VEHICLE DURING REPAIR AND REMOVING ORIGNAL SUBARU PARTS. *LD *JS
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
WITH STEERING WHEEL HELD STRAIGHT OR TURNING, IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEELS WILL PULL LEFT OR RIGHT AS ROAD SURFACE VARIES CAUSING CAR TO MOVE IN LANE, PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE CORRECTED. IT IS AS IF THE CAR WANTS TO STEER ITSELF. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE LEASING THE VEHICLE.
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 .