MYRModel Year Report

1997 Subaru Impreza

▲ Better than typical
1997 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:29:29.881Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Impreza Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 57 complaints 2012: 242 complaints 2012 2013: 248 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 149 complaints 2019: 191 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1997: 30 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201045
201157
2012242
2013248
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018149
2019191
202085
202114
202212
20234
202429
20254
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

WHEELS 13%

13% of complaints: wheels — 4 distinct reports on file.

SEATS 10%

10% of complaints: seats — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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 ODI report, 20021209

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DETAILED THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PERSON DETAILING THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. WHEN THE BAGS DEPLOYED THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD WERE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19990217

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151112

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20030909

DUAL AIRBAGS DIPLOYED DURING FRONTAL CRASH, DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON ARMS FROM A BROWN LIQUID, VEHICE BROADSIDED ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970619

VISIBILITY 7%

7% of complaints: visibility — 2 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — 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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1993 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Subaru Impreza is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported component is wheels:hub, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Impreza have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.