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Subaru ImprezaModel year report

2017 Subaru Impreza Problems

Compared with other Subaru Impreza years

More complaints than typical for this model

71/100 1.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014, 2015, 2016

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
125filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
14,953miles, 65 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 27 city / 36 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Subaru Impreza (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two things: headlight assemblies that fail or provide weak output, and windshields that chip or crack from minor impacts and then spread quickly. A smaller but notable group describes infotainment and electrical glitches (frozen screens, dead batteries, no-start conditions) and occasional stalling. Many reports come in at low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles.

  1. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Windshield chips and cracks spreading

    • 24 complaints (19%)
    • median 32,886 mi at 3.7 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2019–2023

    Owners report windshields chipping or cracking from small debris hits or with no visible impact at all, with cracks spreading several inches overnight or within days. Some describe cracks appearing while the car was parked. Several note the added cost of recalibrating the EyeSight system after a replacement, and a couple describe replacing the windshield more than once in a short period. Reported from a few thousand miles up to around 60,000 miles, across all seasons.

    What to check: Inspect the windshield closely for chips, star breaks or repaired areas, and ask whether it has been replaced and the driver-assist cameras recalibrated afterward.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This is in regards to the Subaru windshield lawsuit. Sometime in late may of 2020, I found my parked car on the street outside my apartment with a crack that spanned over 12 on the front windshield. There was no sign of what caused the crack. Over the next few weeks the crack continued to grow across the windshield. I had it replaced july 7, 2020, at that time of it was over 24 long. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11398582, filed 2021-03, 33,772 miles

    “A small object hit the side of my windshield while I was driving home and later caused a 6-inch crack to form. The crack expanded to 10+ inches overnight while my car was parked in my garage. I now have to have my windshield replaced and safety system will need to be re-calibrated at an additional cost.”

    NHTSA complaint #11384834, filed 2020-12, 31,000 miles
  2. Engine

    Stalling or loss of power while driving

    • 10 complaints (8%)
    • median 9,500 mi at 1.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2017–2024

    Owners report the engine shutting off at low speed, often while waiting at a light or making a turn, and then restarting normally. Others describe the vehicle losing power on acceleration or hesitating, with dealers sometimes replacing a relay or battery, or reprogramming the computer, without a lasting fix. A few complaints describe rough idle after a fuel-system recall remedy was performed. Reported across a wide range, from under 2,000 miles to around 80,000 miles.

    Recall 19V743000Recall 21V264000Recall 19V744000Recall 19V745000Recall 17V216000

    What to check: Ask whether the ECM software recall and the PCV valve recall were performed, and whether the fuel-line recall remedy was completed. Test drive at low speed including stops and turns, and note any hesitation.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “3 different times,on different days, when making a turn after stopped at a light the car shut off completely and had to be restarted. No indication lights came on and my radio stayed playing. A very dangerous safety issue!! Put 4 ways on and prayed I would not get hit.”

    NHTSA complaint #11052942, filed 2017-12, 1,395 miles

    “There are two separate issues with this vehicle which has not been resolved through dealers help and no recalls have been issued yet for these problems. First: the engine stalls around 16 to 11 MPH. The acceleration slows down rapidly after 16-15mph then it ramps up at 13mph and then slows down around 11 MPH speeds. This issue has been persistent since the ownership of the vehicle. Nhtsa needs to look into this problem since it can be a potential safety risk and can cause accidents. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11281276, filed 2019-11, 25,000 miles
  3. Exterior lighting

    Headlight assembly failure / weak low beams

    Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners describe one or both headlight assemblies failing entirely rather than just a bulb, with the light flickering, going out intermittently, or producing noticeably dim output. Several complaints say a "check headlight assembly" message appeared, and dealers confirmed the whole assembly needed replacement. Multiple owners describe being told the remedy for an exterior-lighting recall was not yet available, so the vehicle remained unrepaired. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 70,000 miles, though some reports come in earlier.

    Recall 22V624000

    What to check: Ask whether the 22V624000 headlight recall has been completed and whether either assembly has already been replaced. At night, check that both low beams are bright and evenly matched, and watch for flicker.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “In September 2021, the driver side headlight failed, creating a hazard driving at night. In January 2023, the passenger side headlight failed, creating the same hazard. The dealer reviewed both issues and confirmed the ENTIRE headlight assembly has failed in both cases, requiring a full replacement of the assembly (not just a single headlight bulb). There were no warning signals - the car warning system did let us know in each case the headlights failed.”

    NHTSA complaint #11500585, filed 2023-01

    “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 contact was informed that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11651397, filed 2025-03, 69,534 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Infotainment freezes, resets and battery drain

    • 7 complaints (6%)
    • median 1,397 mi at 0.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2017–2018

    Complaints describe the radio or touchscreen freezing, losing presets, staying lit after shutdown and draining the battery, sometimes to the point of a no-start. Owners also report the radio coming on loudly at startup with the volume knob unresponsive for several seconds. Some had the head unit replaced, and in at least one case the same behavior returned. Often reported within the first few thousand miles, sometimes right after delivery.

    Recall 21V264000Recall 19V7430003 related service bulletins

    What to check: With the car off, confirm the screen and interior lights go dark and check that the car starts readily after sitting. Ask whether the infotainment unit has been replaced or updated and test the volume and preset functions.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Radio controls froze before I even drove it off the dealer's lot. Could not select af or fm. Satellite radio, however, worked. Fix was either to disconnect the battery or remove and reinsert a fuze. Dealer mechanic showed me how to use the fuze method. Car was stationary and had been running for 5-10 minutes. I did not test to see if other electrical functions were impacted as well.”

    NHTSA complaint #11013722, filed 2017-08, 12 miles

    “We purchased a new Impreza on 2/4/17, within days of bringing the car home we noticed that all the radio presets had been wiped out, and the xm radio had reverted back to a trial period. That same day we received an email saying that our car was sending a problem code for the starlink system. Upon calling the dealership we spoke with a service adviser who owns the same car and she told us that she has all kinds of problems with the car software. Including backup camera, screen freezing, losing radio presets, clock time changing. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10954314, filed 2017-02, 69 miles
  5. Air bags

    Airbag warning light on and non-deployment in impacts

    • 15 complaints (12%)
    • median 8,500 mi at 1.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2017–2025

    Owners describe the airbag warning light staying on, often in hot weather or after service, with dealers initially unable to pinpoint the cause and parts sometimes unavailable. Several complaints describe front-end collisions in which the airbags did not deploy, and one describes deployment without an impact. Warning-light reports cluster at very low mileage; collision reports range from a few thousand to around 60,000 miles.

    What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag light illuminates briefly and then goes out. Ask for any records of airbag sensor or wiring repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After having car serviced, airbag warning light would not go off. I was told it would need to be reset , then I was told there was a 90% chance there was a part over the rearview mirror where the front dome lights are that needed to be replaced. They ordered the part and when they were about to install it they said it wasn't that part but a wiring problem that is located over the passenger door inside the ceiling panels that were chewed by a rodent. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11045906, filed 2017-11, 4,948 miles

    “I've had subarus my whole life and am a loyal consumer. Recently I was involved in an accident. My car was hit in the front on the passenger side. I'm including a photo to show you the damage to my 2017 Impreza. It was totaled and thankfully, I was not hurt. The airbags did not deploy. In light of the recent information that was released by the NHTSA concerning airbags not deploying, I feel I need to bring this to your attention. I will be sending the same information to the NHTSA. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11203796, filed 2019-04, 27,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the open headlight and engine-control recalls have been completed, and budget for the possibility of a windshield replacement with camera recalibration. A test drive covering low-speed stops and a check of the infotainment and airbag warning lights will surface most of what owners describe here.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 125 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Impreza. 65 of the complaints include a mileage, and 82% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 14,953 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 569 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 12 Subaru Impreza model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 71 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (4), Forward collision avoidance (3), Body and structure (2), Suspension (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Electronic stability control (1), Lane departure (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “Brunswick Subaru refuses to do headlight recall. I was told there is no fix yet over 6 months ago. I called again 2 weeks ago and told the same thing. I called Subaru directly and was told there is a fix and that they would contact me in two days. They still have not gotten me information on how to resolve recall 22v624000”

NHTSA complaint #11580649, filed 2024-04

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I have had to replace my windshield twice within 12 months due to chipping and cracking. The first chip caused a 12+ inch crack which prompted replacement ($1000.00) 5 months after the original replacement salt on the expressway chipped the 2nd windshield. Each time something comes in contact with the windshield, it seems to chip. I have approximately 4 chips in my newest windshield. I don't think the windshield should have chipped so easily”

NHTSA complaint #11329903, filed 2020-06, 40,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Started the car it was on park, the car accelerated to 5rpm in a matter of seconds engine sounded like an airplane, I shut the car and repeated the same procedure 3 times. Called the dealer and had it towed there. The first time I complained was and took it to the dealer it was accelerating on high but they reprogammed it. Was stationary on city street”

NHTSA complaint #11207668, filed 2019-05, 7,780 miles

Electrical system: “I was parking my car at apartment's parking lot by right turning. I was driving really slow about 5miles/hr.my foot was on the break pedal and as I press the break to slow my car further it got accelerated (with raving engine noise) and hit front parking fence as well as parked car right to me. I moved the automatic gear stick to parking position and able to stop the car. I talked with my car maker and they looked at it and prepared a report in 10 weeks. According to them weather mat might be the cause of this problem.but I do not think weather mat moved from its place during incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #11063457, filed 2018-01, 3,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

82% of the 65 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,051 and 33,772 miles.

42%0–1015%10–2525%25–5015%50–753%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (65 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 14,953 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2018202020223120242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Subaru Impreza. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Impreza · sedan AWD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.5% risk
Impreza · wagon AWD★★★★★4 / 5555 · 9.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Subaru Impreza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Impreza 4-Door AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT283832$2,100
Impreza 4-Door AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual243227$2,500
Impreza 5-Door AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT283731$2,150
Impreza 5-Door AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual243126$2,600
Impreza Sport 4-Door AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT273630$2,250
Impreza Sport 4-Door AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual233126$2,600
Impreza Sport 5-Door AWD2.0L 4-cylCVT273530$2,250
Impreza Sport 5-Door AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual223025$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2017 Subaru Impreza → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 569 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 569 bulletins →

Other model years of the Subaru Impreza

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202552,7000530—Too new
20243236,2922530Too new to compareToo new
202214—1530—Not enough data
2021141,7002530—Not enough data
2020857,000153050 · TypicalFalling
201919411,700553086 · MoreStable
201815218,500553062 · TypicalRising
201712514,953753071 · MoreRising
20167526,25815305 · FewerFalling
20157736,00025302 · FewerFalling
201410849,500352725 · FewerFalling
201325161,590452751 · TypicalFalling
201224345,825642782 · MoreFalling
20115838,00014—2224 · FewerStable
20104647,80015—212 · FewerFalling
200910464,00014—2148 · TypicalFalling
200817648,15014—2270 · MoreFalling
20076849,8909—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20065661,72810—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20057572,0726—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20049665,0008—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20036264,5006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200229262,5006—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011142,0000—22—Not enough data
20004164,0000—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19992267,7500—22—Stable
19983069,5000—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19973099,5500—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199620—0—24—Stable
199546132,0621—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19948—1—24—Not enough data
199333158,8501—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Subaru Impreza model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Complaints on this model year cluster around two things: headlight assemblies that fail or provide weak output, and windshields that chip or crack from minor impacts and then spread quickly. The issues reported most often: Windshield chips and cracks spreading; Stalling or loss of power while driving; Headlight assembly failure / weak low beams.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA recorded 125 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Subaru Impreza is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 32 complaints (26% of the total), followed by visibility with 25.

Has the 2017 Subaru Impreza been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2017 Subaru Impreza do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Subaru Impreza 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Impreza (Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Subaru Impreza reported?

Among the 65 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 14,953 miles and the middle half falls between 4,051 and 33,772 miles; 82% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.