1997 Subaru Impreza: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 38 complaints
38
Total Complaints
WHEELS:HUB
Top Issue
8
Crash Reports

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

WHEELS:HUB
4
AIR BAGS
3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
1

Severity Assessment

8
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"DUAL AIRBAGS DIPLOYED DURING FRONTAL CRASH, DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON ARMS FROM A BROWN LIQUID, VEHICE BROADSIDED ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, TOTALED."
"CONTACTED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER BOTH SENT CONSUMER A TOOL TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WILL BE A REACCURRING PROBLEM. WHEN EVER USINGWINDSHIELD WIPERS AND TURNING MOTOR TO HIGH MODE, THE WIPERS WILL THEN STOP AT RANDOM UNTILL CONSUMER TIGHTENS THE WIPERSWITH THE TOO..."
"DESIGN OF MULTIFUNCTION LEVER CAUSES HEADLIGHTS TO ACCIDENTALLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACTIVATE TURN SIGNAL."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28