Complaints
38
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#14 complaints
Wheels:Hub
#23 complaints
Airbags
Crash-related:2
#33 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Subaru Impreza.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheels:Hub | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Wheels:Hub
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Multiple Axle
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Impreza Years
1997 Subaru Impreza — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Subaru Impreza has 38 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Wheels:Hub with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Subaru Impreza?
Top reported problems: Wheels:Hub (4 complaints); Airbags (3 complaints); Air Bags:Frontal (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1997 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Subaru Impreza include 8 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Subaru Impreza as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Subaru Impreza?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Subaru Impreza
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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