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1997 Subaru ImprezaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1997 Subaru Impreza, most often about the air bags. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

66
CarFlaw IndexSolid year48% below the Impreza median · #24 of 30 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints3012 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage115kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 12, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Subaru Impreza has problems

30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags65
Wheels50
Power train51
Suspension40
Seats32
Seat belts21
Vehicle speed control21
Visibility20
Electrical system20
6 other systems61

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Subaru Impreza recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Impreza year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Subaru Impreza safety ratings

1997 Subaru Impreza 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Impreza owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED…
Complaint 10789985 · Nov 12, 2015 · 150,000 miles
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
Complaint 10037559 · Sep 9, 2003 · 80,000 miles
CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. ATTENDANT WENT TO STEAM THE MOTOR AND TO START MOTOR SO HE COULD WAX AND BUFF VEHICLE. BUT, BOTH AIRBAGS WENT OFF. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. *AK
Complaint 870779 · Sep 18, 2000

Own a 1997 Impreza?

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