1997 Subaru IMPREZA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
99,550 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 20 complaints (15.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 2 |
| Wheels:Hub | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 2; Wheels:Hub: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 756819 · 2002-01-14 (January 14, 2002)
WIRING BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HUTCH PASSES THROUGH RUBBER BOOT. REPEATED OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE HUTCH BREAKS THE WIRING. REAR TOP BRAKE LIGHT, REAR WIPER POWER LOCKS ARE AFFECTED. ALSO IN ANOTHER BOOT THE TUBE FOR A REAR WASHER IS SIMILARLY SEVERED, WASHER FLUID ENTERS THE CAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 899431 · 2001-11-26 (November 26, 2001)
VEHICLES IDLE WILL NOT GO DOWN, IT REVS FROM 1500 TO 2000 RPMS. WHEN IT SHOULD BE AT 800. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS, THE SPEED CONTINUES TO INCREASE, IN A NORMAL SITUATION SPEEDING DOWN HILL 50 MPH USING ENGINE AS BRAKE, SPEEDS EXCEED 70 MPH IN 5TH AND 4TH GEAR, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW DOWN, CONSUMER STATED HE CONTACTED DEALER BUT STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, CONSUMER STATED HE HAS RAN ACROSS OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE HIS WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 899431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 736196 · 2000-11-12 (November 12, 2000)
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AT HIGHWAY AND CITY SPEEDS UNEXPECTEDLY. OFTEN DIFFICULT TO RESTART. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ON THREE OCCASSIONS TO SUBARU DEALERS. NEITHER OF TWO LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERS ( CASEY OF NEWPORT NEWS VA OR ROUGHTON OF NORFOLK VA ) HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ANALYZE OR REPAIR VEHICLE. WAITED 9 WEEKS FOR PARTS WHICH NEVER ARRIVED FROM JAPAN WHICH ONE DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 736196 at NHTSA ↗