1997 Subaru Impreza: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Subaru Impreza: 0 recalls, 30 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (5): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Suspension (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1997 Subaru Impreza has 30 owner complaints, ranking #24 of 35 Impreza model years for complaints (well below the 76 average). Complaints peaked in 2001 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 99,550 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (20 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (30 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Subaru Impreza.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1997 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 1997 Subaru Impreza, but 3 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 1997 Subaru Impreza problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (6), wheels (5), transmission & drivetrain (5).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Subaru Impreza repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.