2017 Subaru Impreza

◆ Worse than typical
2017 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:58:00.141Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

Complaints
125
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2017

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Exterior lighting

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 1 complaint 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: 46 complaints 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2012 2013: 251 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 125 2018: 152 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1995 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2001 2002: 292 complaints 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2010 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 251 complaints 2013 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 125 2018: 152 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2019 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2000 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2006 2007: 68 complaints 2008: 176 complaints 2008 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2010 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2012 2013: 251 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2014 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 125 2018: 152 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2020 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 14 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2024 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026

2017: 125 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018152
2019193
202085
202114
202214
20234
202430
20255
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

26% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE

Visibility/wiper

20% · 25 reports
CRASH

Electrical system

17% · 21 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Parked at a store. Car caught on fire while in store. Car had been parked approximately 10 minutes. Left side headlight spontaneously ignited.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-02

I was parking my car at apartment's parking lot by right turning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-18

Also filed under Service brakes

We purchased a new Impreza on 2/4/17, within days of bringing the car home we noticed that all the radio presets had been wiped out, and the xm radio had reverted back to a trial period.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-02-13

Engine

11% · 14 reports
CRASH

Air bags

9% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing front passenger.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving on the freeway and the all the airbags in my vehicle deployed, sides, front and under the steering wheel. I did not have an accident or hit anything in the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-16

I was involved in an auto accident 9/18/2023. An SUV ran a red light and struck my care on the drivers side. The SUV struck me going between 45 and 50 mph according to the police report.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-13

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2017Complaint volume 125 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2017-03-27Back over prevention17V132000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Due to a software problem, the rearview camera display may not work properly.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for the recall is WTN-74.

  3. R
    2017-04-20Fuel system, gasoline17V216000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Winter fuels may vaporize prematurely in the fuel line, resulting in a reduction in fuel pressure, possibly causing the engine to stall.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control unit to turn the radiator cooling fan on at a lower temperature, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2017.

  4. R
    2019-12-02Engine and engine cooling19V744000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge.

  5. R
    2019-12-03Engine and engine cooling19V745000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUS-04.

  6. R
    2019-12-04Electrical system19V743000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge.

  7. R
    2021-06-01Electrical system, engine and engine cooling21V264000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021.

  8. R
    2023-11-15Exterior lighting22V624000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.

Buy-smart checklist

2017 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V132000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 17V216000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 19V744000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19V745000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19V743000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 21V264000 · Electrical system, engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 22V624000 · Exterior lighting

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2017 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Subaru Impreza is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Impreza have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.