Owners have filed 38 complaints
about the 1997 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA between 1997 and 2015.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 20 of 31 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Subaru Impreza. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
42.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Subaru Impreza
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
615.8%
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi
Wheels
513.2%
Median failure at 99,550 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
513.2%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Suspension
410.5%
Seats
37.9%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
37.9%
Seat Belts
25.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
25.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
25.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
12.6%
Lights
12.6%
Body & Structure
12.6%
Brakes
12.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Steering
12.6%
Engine & Cooling
12.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1997peak 3Nov 2015
Recalls on the 1997 Subaru Impreza
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
09E012000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200006946,003 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicle do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle classification. Correction: No corrective action will be taken for existing vehicles. Correct compliance label will be affixed in current production vehicles.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 150,000 milesTrade, TNCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10789985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCasper, WY1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10037559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orland Park, ILFire
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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 complaint #10001523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmya, VACrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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 complaint #8023971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, MTCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN, SEAT FELL BACK INTO THE BACKSEAT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, MTCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN, SEAT FELL BACK INTO THE BACKSEAT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 150,000 milesTrade, TNCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10789985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moodus, CT
SUSPENSION:REAR
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10158476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moodus, CT
EQUIPMENT
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10158476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
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 .
NHTSA complaint #10082500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
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 .
NHTSA complaint #10082500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCasper, WY1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10037559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelton, WA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10009303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shelton, WA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10009303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,550 milesGardner, MA
WHEELS:HUB
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 complaint #10003222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orland Park, ILFire
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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 complaint #10001523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmya, VACrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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 complaint #8023971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #756819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #756819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minnetonka, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
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.
NHTSA complaint #756819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomer, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #899431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birdsboro, PA
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
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.
NHTSA complaint #753889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birdsboro, PA
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #889888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birdsboro, PA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #889889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ogden, UT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
I'VE HAD THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED 3 TIMES IT HAS BEEN A TOTAL OF 6 OF BOTH SIDES.
NHTSA complaint #744511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM WHEELS. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 1999/ OCTOBER 2000, AND AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #884695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steamboat Springs, CO
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.
NHTSA complaint #738320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steamboat Springs, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #738320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poquoson, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #736196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downing Town, PA
WHEELS:HUB
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.
NHTSA complaint #873670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redding, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. ATTENDANT WENT TO STEAM THE MOTOR AND TO START MOTOR SO HE COULD WAX AND BUFF VEHICLE. BUT, BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #870779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.