1997 Subaru Impreza
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Impreza › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Subaru Impreza. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1997 Subaru Impreza. Newest first.
Dope, inc. IS recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on july 28, 2009. owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
K2 motor IS recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. these headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. the recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.
Owner complaints
30 complaints6 involved a crash1 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
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…
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
- Equipment · Suspension › Rear
Failure of rear wheel bearings. *nm
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
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
- Air bags
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
- Seat belts › Front · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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
- Wheels › Hub
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.
- Power train › Axle assembly
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
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer states that when in a vehicle accident and without warning the driver seat will fully recline back causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. ph
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Electrical system › Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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…
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 onboard computer computers.*jb
- Suspension › Multiple axle
6 left rear wheel bearing replacements in 3 years, along with spindle and hub.1st wheel bearing failure at 41,000 miles. Last wheel bearing lasted less than 5 months.
- Power train › Axle assembly
Rear axle failed. *Ak
- Wheels
Left rear wheel went bad at 43000 miles, and has been replaced 5 times, last replacment was needed after only 3000 miles. before replacement a loud noise came from rear of vehicle.*ak
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
I've had the left rear wheel bearings replaced 3 times it has been a total of 6 of both sides. *Ak
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Consumer heard a noise coming from wheels. Dealer had to replace wheel bearings. Wheel bearings replaced in october 1999/ october 2000, and at this time. *Ak
- Structure › Body · Suspension › Front
Wheel wells are building up excessive amounts of snow and ice causing vehicle tires to have difficulty rotating and turning due to ice blocking tires in wheel wells, causing car to unexpectedly slide or skid on icey roads. Also causing excessive tire wear and misalignment of front suspension. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine shuts down at highway and city speeds unexpectedly. Often difficult to restart. Car has been towed on three occassions to subaru dealers.…
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 thought, but would not guarantee, might solve problem. Electrical failures occurred in vehicle o/a may of 1998. I have all maintenance and repair records. Vehicle IS so unsafe icannot drive it. I only wish to have vehicle repaired so that safe operation IS again possible. can analyxe or repair vehicle. Engine shutdown witnessed by wife.*ak
- Wheels › Hub
Wheel hubs do not stay on while driving. They will just pop right off, nearly causing an accident. dealer has been contacted. *ak rear wheel cover came off while driving and the dealer states that the wheel cover was not out on correctly. *yh
- Air bags › Frontal
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
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Seat belt failed to tighten, seat fell back into the backseat and air bag did not deploy during the accident. Yh
- Wheels › Hub
Hubs keep coming off vehicle when driving. Dealer contacted, and IS in process of replacing hubs. Problem still exists. Provide further information. *Ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel cracked, about a 6 inch gas in the middle of the steering wheel, where the airbag IS suppose to deploy. Cannot determine what caused it to crack.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
Had started vehicle and it lurched forward. Hit garage wall & went through it. Had foot on brakes & vehicle failed to stop. Took to mechanic to check. Was informed hard to locate problem due to wiring & computer problems.
- Wheels › Hub
The original hubcaps are a safety violation. subaru made a very bad engineering design. they fastened a plastic ring with holes to each rim that the hubcaps are supposed to fit in with a twist. the problem IS the amount of force or pounds per square inch that's required to remove the hubcap so…
The original hubcaps are a safety violation. subaru made a very bad engineering design. they fastened a plastic ring with holes to each rim that the hubcaps are supposed to fit in with a twist. the problem IS the amount of force or pounds per square inch that's required to remove the hubcap so one can change a tire in an emergency situation. a special tool to do this IS provided (an afterthought by the company -oops). putting the hubcaps on IS more difficult and either way the tool has to be restraightened at least once per tire. I've recently retired from the military and I'm in good shape. I'm (6'& 188 lbs) and I have to struggle to remove the hubcaps. my daughter could not even come close to removing the hubcap. she can work a jack and the lugnuts but cannot take the hubcap off. women, senior citizens, and many men can not provide the lps per inch to remove the wheelcover which IS necessary to get to the lugnuts. I was told that subaru only had this type of wheelcover for 1996 & 1997. do I have to remove these rings and purchase new wheelcovers so I know my daughter will not get stranded from a flat tire? I think subaru missed a very basic safety mark here and should rectify the situation.
- Air bags › Frontal
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10240110This 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.
- 10234261Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program
- 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915This 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).
- 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315To 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.
- 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10163525This 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.
- 10161824Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
- 10161813To 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.
- 10037968Subaru: there IS a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
- 10019343Rubbing mark on timing belt. Subaru.
- 10001726Clutch pedal sticking.
- 10000642New procedure for replacing rear wheel bearings.
- 626926Information regarding seat belt latch slides to the lower seat belt anchor. Updated
- 608198Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may exhibit first gear popping out while driving.
- 605778Information on installing rear differential protector .
- 604953Service manual supplement volume 7 for the ABS 5.3I system.
- 604484Customer may complain of a slight engine hesitation on vehicles with manual transmissions 2.5L and 2.2L engines. Tt
- 54209Vehicles may experience a corrosion of an oxygen sensor wiring harness connector due to water drainage from the hood scoop air duct.
- 53575Subject on transfer clutch binding and/or bucking on turns.
- 52271Rear defogger timer.
- 51254Keyless entry kits with an incorrect wiring harness packaged in the kit- all port and regional parts inventories have been audited.
- 51249Vehicles that are accessorized with cruise control now have the cruise control ecu mounted to the underdash cover panel below the steering column.
Every Subaru Impreza model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.