1997 Subaru Impreza: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is wheels (17% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2013
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · May 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”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2002
“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”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2002
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2002
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2001
“6 left rear wheel bearing replacements in 3 years, along with spindle and hub.1st wheel bearing failure at 41,000 miles. Last wheel bearing lasted less than 5 months.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2001
“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”Owner report · Wheels · May 2001
“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”Owner report · Wheels · Oct 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impreza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Subaru Impreza reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Subaru Impreza. The most complained-about area is wheels (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Subaru Impreza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,550 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Subaru Impreza have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.