Total Complaints
38 filings
SUBARU IMPREZA · model year
1997 SUBARU IMPREZA
38 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997SUBARUIMPREZA carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 IMPREZA is wheels:hub with 4 filings, followed by air bags (3) and air bags:frontal (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1997 IMPREZA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
38
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| WHEELS:HUB | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20151112CrashAIR 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 *BF
Mileage: 150,000
20060528SUSPENSION:REAR
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
20060528EQUIPMENT
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
20040723SUSPENSION: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
20040723POWER 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 . *AK
20030909AIR 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.*AK
Mileage: 80,000
20030225SEATS: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
20030225SEAT 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. *JB
20030122WHEELS: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.
Mileage: 99,550
20021226FirePOWER 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
20021209CrashSEATS: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
20020117ELECTRICAL 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.*AK
20020117ELECTRICAL 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.*AK
20020117VISIBILITY: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.*AK
20011126VEHICLE 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.*JB
20011106SUSPENSION: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.
20010606WHEELS
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
20010606POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXLE FAILED. *AK
20010427POWER 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. *AK
20010330POWER 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. *AK
Compare 1997SUBARUIMPREZA to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA have?▼
The 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA has 38 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA is WHEELS:HUB with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1997 SUBARU IMPREZA safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.