CSR

Subaru · NHTSA safety record

2017 Subaru Impreza

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

125

Complaints

10

Crashes

3

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Subaru Impreza have filed 125 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2017 and April 2026. The most complained-about system is the exterior lighting, named in 32 of them (26%). The typical failure was reported at 14,953 miles, the median across the 65 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 7 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (7)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

22V624000 · August 12, 2022

The defect
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 188,397 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

21V264000 · April 15, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 466,205 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

19V743000 · October 18, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
The risk
If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 466,205 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

19V745000 · October 17, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
The risk
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 251 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

19V744000 · October 17, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
The risk
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 205,000 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

17V216000 · March 29, 2017

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2738. Subaru's number for this recall is WTP-75.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 33,131 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM

17V132000 · March 2, 2017

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Due to a software problem, the rearview camera display may not work properly.
The risk
A rearview camera display that does not function as designed can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 25,567 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 125.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 32 26%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 25 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 17%
ENGINE 14 11%
AIR BAGS 11 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 6%
POWER TRAIN 5 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 3%
WHEELS 4 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 31.

2017 2023 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 3,000 miles

I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT APARTMENT'S PARKING LOT BY RIGHT TURNING. I WAS DRIVING REALLY SLOW ABOUT 5MILES/HR.MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND AS I PRESS THE BREAK TO SLOW MY CAR FURTHER IT GOT ACCELERATED (WITH RAVING ENGINE NOISE) AND HIT FRONT PARKING FENCE AS WELL AS PARKED CAR RIGHT TO ME. I MOVED THE AUTOMATIC GEAR STICK TO PARKING POSITION AND ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I TALKED WITH MY CAR MAKER AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND PREPARED A REPORT IN 10 WEEKS. ACCORDING TO THEM WEATHER MAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.BUT I DO NOT THINK WEATHER MAT MOVED FROM ITS PLACE DURING INCIDENT. I AM REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN SPECIALLY MY CAR MANUFACTURER DOESN'T SEEMS TO FIND THE REAL

NHTSA complaint 11063457, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

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. My car was pushed over 20 feet and struck a traffic sign in the center median. My car was equipped with side curtain airbags and they did not deploy. I struck my head on the drivers side window. The front airbags failed to deploy also.

NHTSA complaint 11571688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 69,000 miles

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that she sustained a neck and brain injury from the impact that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the

NHTSA complaint 11656333, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

1. Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. No safety inspector has inspected the car yet. The insurance appraiser has inspected the car for the insurance company. 4. There were no warnings or dashboard lights indicating that the airbag had a problem and would fail to fully deploy.

NHTSA complaint 11683244. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing a safety complaint regarding an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure in my 2017 Subaru Impreza and the handling of a prior recall repair. Dealership records show that a recall repair (WRE21 – ignition coil recall) was completed in June 2021. At that time, the dealership documented that the ECM calibration was up to date and functioning properly. However, I later experienced a check engine light and drivability concerns. Diagnostic records from February 2026 indicate: •Camshaft slow response codes •Persistent sensor issues •A technician recommendation to replace multiple components, including the ECM, stating that codes were “burned into the ECM” The dealership has since attempted

NHTSA complaint 11731598, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)

NHTSA complaint 11718214. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
[XXX] 2017 Subaru Impreza VIN [XXX] Cruze control error. Will it make brake lights fail if not repaired? go look in your database and see if Impreza has more than normal rear end collisions? What else is on bus that might be damaged by spike? Braking? Antilock? Lights? Why is this NOT a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11684276. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Premature failure of wheel bearings. Both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced after only 54,192 miles. Technician indicated that replacements were upgraded "sealed" systems. At 73,712 miles the front driver's side wheel bearing was also replaced by the dealer after the same symptoms of excessive noise and poor mileage occurred. Concern is that high resistance in the failing bearings creates a lot of heat and could eventually cause catastrophic failure. In 40+ years of driving and owning cars with mileage accruals up to 229,000, this is the only one that ever required a wheel bearing replacement. This, and the technician's reference to upgraded bearings makes me believe that this is a

NHTSA complaint 11682621, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After reading forums online and my own experience I’m convinced the Subaru sun visors are improperly installed or fitted and pose a danger to drivers and those on the road. The sun visors on the driver and passenger side are incredibly loose and prone to falling off while I’m driving. I cannot use it to deflect sun because it will fall off while I’m driving - creating incredibly dangerous driving conditions. It has fallen in my lap but I’m afraid it might fall down to where the pedals are and cause further issues. This has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2019 and happens almost weekly It doesn’t appear that Subaru sells the parts separately so replacing it would be costly.

NHTSA complaint 11678597. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Subaru Impreza

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 30 2
2022 12 1
2021 14 2
2020 85 1
2019 193 5
2018 149 5 1
2016 75 1
2015 77 2
2014 108 3
2013 249 4
2012 242 6
2011 57 14
2010 45 15

Other 2017 Subaru models

Every Subaru on this site — 97 vehicles, 147 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst