SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 Subaru Impreza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Subaru Impreza do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 56.

About this comparison →
30Owner complaints

Model-year median: 56

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
8
199446
199520
199630
199730
199822
199941
2000
Compare all Impreza years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
6Power Train
5Wheels
5Suspension
4Seats
3
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Seat Belts
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
150,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 AT…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10789985

80,000 miles · Sep 9, 2003
Air BagsInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10037559

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #870779

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2000
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeatsCrashInjury

SEAT BELT FAILED TO TIGHTEN, SEAT FELL BACK INTO THE BACKSEAT AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. YH

NHTSA ODI #551544

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1998
Air BagsInjury

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DETAILED THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PERSON DETAILING THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. WHEN THE BAGS DEPLOYED THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD WERE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826843

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 1997
Air BagsCrashInjury

DUAL AIRBAGS DIPLOYED DURING FRONTAL CRASH, DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS ON ARMS FROM A BROWN LIQUID, VEHICE BROADSIDED ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE, TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #813274

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.