Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Subaru Impreza, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags6
- Power train5
- Wheels5
- Suspension4
- Seats3
- Electrical system2
- Visibility2
- Seat belts2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1997 Subaru Impreza failed the safety check 1.87% of the time — 17% more often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 149,999 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1997 Subaru Impreza cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (155 kW, 208 hp) and 2.0 petrol (85 kW, 114 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 155 kW 208 hp | 44 |
| 2.0 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
98 first registered in 1997 are on Dutch roads; 26% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde45
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen42
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld19
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af14
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt11
- Band onvoldoende profiel10
- Band beschadigd9
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af9
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
175 cars built in 1997 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 905 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 250 of these cars first registered in 1997 took their annual MOT test. 73% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1997 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.2% | 16.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.6% | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 9.2% | 12.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.0% | 9.7% |
| Brakes | 5.6% | 11.8% |
| Visibility | 4.8% | 6.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
30 of these cars first registered in 1997 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 277,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
690 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 86% arrived as used imports, 4% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 10.1–10.5 L/100 km (about 22–23 mpg US), CO₂ 232–242 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza 4X4 · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.7 | 10.1 |
| Impreza 4X4 · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 8.6 | 10.2 |
| Impreza 4X4 Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 8.6 | 10.2 |
| Impreza 4X4 · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 8.8 | 10.5 |
| Impreza 4X4 Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.9 | 8.8 | 10.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1997 Subaru Impreza.
| 2000069 17 Mar 2000 | Other Certain vehicle do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle c… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1997 Subaru Impreza.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 1997 Subaru Impreza: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 626926 | INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT LATCH SLIDES TO THE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR. *YH UPDATED *EH |
| 608198 | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT FIRST GEAR POPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TT |
| 605778 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTOR . *TT |
| 604953 | SERVICE MANUAL SUPPLEMENT VOLUME 7 FOR THE ABS 5.3I SYSTEM. *TT |
| 604484 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF A SLIGHT ENGINE HESITATION ON VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS 2.5L AND 2.2L ENGINES. TT |
| 54209 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A CORROSION OF AN OXYGEN SENSOR WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR DUE TO WATER DRAINAGE FROM THE HOOD SCOOP AIR DUCT. *YC |
| 53575 | SUBJECT ON TRANSFER CLUTCH BINDING AND/OR BUCKING ON TURNS. *YC |
| 52271 | REAR DEFOGGER TIMER. *JD |
| 51254 | KEYLESS ENTRY KITS WITH AN INCORRECT WIRING HARNESS PACKAGED IN THE KIT- ALL PORT AND REGIONAL PARTS INVENTORIES HAVE BEEN AUDITED. *JD |
| 51249 | VEHICLES THAT ARE ACCESSORIZED WITH CRUISE CONTROL NOW HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ECU MOUNTED TO THE UNDERDASH COVER PANEL BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. *JD |
| 10240110 | This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles. |
| 10234261 | Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program |
| 10219492 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 10219491 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 10209915 | This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment). |
| 10198758 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models |
| 10198749 | This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure. |
| 10187315 | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. |
| 10179378 | Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. |
| 10174543 | All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices) |
| 10163525 | This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals. |
| 10161824 | Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter. |
| 10161813 | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. |
| 10037968 | SUBARU: THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO AN IMPORPER WHEEL BALANCE. *RM |
| 10019343 | RUBBING MARK ON TIMING BELT. SUBARU. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)