1997 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001523 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A "FAULTY AXLE" CONSUMER WILL SEND MORE INFORMATION WHY THIS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DIAGNOSIS PROVIDED TECHNICIAN OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003222 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
WHEEL HUB KEEPS COMING OFF AFTER REPLACEMENT OF TIRE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR DUE TO A WHEEL HUB COMING OFF AND HITTING WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD DID NOT BREAK.
Owner-reported narrative. 99,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009303 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK CORRECTLY. THE RECLINING LEVER FOR THE BACK OF THE SEAT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY COULD'VE DONE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037559 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082500 · 2004-07-23 (July 23, 2004)
REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND ADDITIONAL 4 TIMES OUT OF WARRANTY. BEARING WERE REPLACED DURING EACH REPAIR, SOMETIMES AXELS AND HOUSINGS AS WELL. SUBARU REFUSED TO CONTINUE REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY PERIOD. 8 FAILUES TOTAL AT REGULAR INTERVALS . *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158476 · 2006-05-28 (May 28, 2006)
FAILURE OF REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789985 · 2015-11-12 (November 12, 2015)
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 INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000......UPDATED 02/10/16 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551544 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN, SEAT FELL BACK INTO THE BACKSEAT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551544 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.