1997 Subaru Impreza Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 17%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,550miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the wheels of the 1997 Subaru Impreza, 17% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,550 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10003222, filed 2003-01, 99,550 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #704176, filed 1999-03“Wheel hubs do not stay on while driving. They will just pop right off, nearly causing an accident. Dealer has been contacted. Rear wheel cover came off while driving and the dealer states that the wheel cover was not out on correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #873670, filed 2000-10“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.”
NHTSA complaint #889888, filed 2001-06Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 13% |
| 2022 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 3 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1998 | 2 | 7% |
| 1997 | 5 | 17% |
| 1996 | 3 | 15% |
| 1995 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Subaru Impreza
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology