2017 Subaru Impreza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (30) · Visibility/Wiper (24) · Electrical System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Impreza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
65 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-08-12 · campaign 22V624000 · 188,397 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza vehicles. The left and right side reflex reflector and left side low beam reflector may inadequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front headlamp assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-22.
Electrical System:software 2021-04-15 · campaign 21V264000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Subaru Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software, replace the ignition coils and, if necessary, the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 1, 2021. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-21. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously repaired under Recall 19V743.
Electrical System:software 2019-10-18 · campaign 19V743000 · 466,205 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Impreza and 2018-2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the ECM software and inspect and replace the ignition coil, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, on vehicles with confirmed ignition coil damage and a certain stored diagnostic trouble code (DTC), Subaru will replace the front exhaust pipe, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUQ-02.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V744000 · 205,000 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Impreza and 2018 Crosstrek vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUP-01.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V745000 · 251 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles equipped with an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve. The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Risk: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUS-04.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2017-03-29 · campaign 17V216000 · 33,131 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Winter fuels may vaporize prematurely in the fuel line, resulting in a reduction in fuel pressure, possibly causing the engine to stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control unit to turn the radiator cooling fan on at a lower temperature, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2738. Subaru's number for this recall is WTP-75.
Back Over Prevention: Camera System 2017-03-02 · campaign 17V132000 · 25,567 vehicles
Defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Due to a software problem, the rearview camera display may not work properly.
Risk: A rearview camera display that does not function as designed can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for the recall is WTN-74.
Service bulletins (569)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 569 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-16 · Electrical System“i am filing a safety complaint regarding an engine control module (ecm) failure in my 2017 subaru impreza and the handling of a prior recall repair. dealership records show that a recall repair (wre21 – ignition coil recall) was completed in june 2021. at that time, the dealership documented that the ecm calibration was up to date and functioning …”
2026-02-16 · Visibility/Wiper“i noticed that visibility at night was poor. i was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. i thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. just days later my dealership send me a service notice which also…”
2025-09-01 · Unknown Or Other“ [xxx] 2017 subaru impreza vin [xxx] cruze control error. will it make brake lights fail if not repaired? go look in your database and see if impreza has more than normal rear end collisions? what else is on bus that might be damaged by spike? braking? antilock? lights? why is this not a recall? information redacted pursuant to the freedom …”
2025-08-26 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings · 💥 crash“1. any and all airbags failed to deploy. the car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. the insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. the driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. no safety inspector has inspected…”
2025-08-23 · Power Train“premature failure of wheel bearings. both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced after only 54,192 miles. technician indicated that replacements were upgraded "sealed" systems. at 73,712 miles the front driver's side wheel bearing was also replaced by the dealer after the same symptoms of excessive noise and poor mileage occurred. concern is th…”
2025-08-05 · Unknown Or Other“after reading forums online and my own experience i’m convinced the subaru sun visors are improperly installed or fitted and pose a danger to drivers and those on the road. the sun visors on the driver and passenger side are incredibly loose and prone to falling off while i’m driving. i cannot use it to deflect sun because it will fall off while …”
2025-04-23 · Air Bags · 69,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2017 subaru impreza. the contact stated that while driving 10 mph, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. the contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. no air bags deployed. the vehicle was towed to iaa by the insurance company. the insurance company in…”
2025-03-28 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 69,534 mi“the contact owns a 2017 subaru impreza. the contact stated that the "check headlight assembly" message was displayed, and the front passenger’s side headlight occasionally turned off or on, while attempting to start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the con…”
2025-02-02 · Visibility/Wiper · 💥 crash“i hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. i went to get the recall fixed when i found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.…”
2024-08-02 · Exterior Lighting · 🔥 fire“parked at a store. car caught on fire while in store. car had been parked approximately 10 minutes. left side headlight spontaneously ignited. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.