Model year record

1997 Subaru Impreza recalls & problems

The 1997 Subaru Impreza has 3 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints30filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMay 11, 2009

Headlights

Recall 09E02500042,540 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Subaru Impreza 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Impreza AWD

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Impreza AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Impreza AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Impreza Wagon AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Impreza Wagon AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	6	3	0	6	—
WheelsHub	5	0	0	0	—
Power trainAxle assembly › Axle shaft; Axle assembly	5	0	1	0	—
SuspensionFront; Multiple axle	4	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk	3	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	3	2	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	2	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	1	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front	2	1	0	1	—
Exterior lightingTurn signal › Switch	1	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	1	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash2 injuries
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
Feb 12, 2013 · 150,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
May 20, 2006
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 . *AK
Jun 25, 1997
Air bags1 injury
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
May 25, 2003 · 80,000 miles
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. *JB
Feb 11, 2003
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.
Dec 29, 2002 · 99,550 miles
Power train › Axle assemblyFire
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
Dec 26, 2002
Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCrash
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
Nov 28, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.