2017 Subaru Impreza Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Impreza years
The 2017 Subaru Impreza has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 125 complaints, 7 recalls, and electrical system issues as the top problem area at 41% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 125
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 25.5 city / 33.5 hwy
Top 2017 Subaru Impreza problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System51 (41%)
- Visibility & Wipers25 (20%)
- Other22 (18%)
- Engine16 (13%)
- Airbags11 (9%)
- Brakes8 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners describe headlight and side reflector fires, including one incident where a parked, powered-off car ignited in the driveway and destroyed three vehicles.
- Side curtain airbags reportedly failed to deploy in moderate-to-severe front and side collisions, even when the car was struck at 45 to 50 mph.
- Some drivers report sudden unexpected forward surges at low speed, including a case where the EyeSight automatic braking feature failed to activate before hitting a garage door.
- Owners report brake pedal behavior tied to a service program (WUR-03) that caused unexpected acceleration noise and loss of control while parking at low speed.
- A low-visibility recall condition was linked to a crash into a guard rail, and one owner said a dealer refused a recall repair due to bumper damage.
- A parked car experienced a spontaneous headlight fire after being parked for about ten minutes.
2017 Subaru Impreza recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V624000Aug 12, 2022Electrical System188,397 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 21V264000Apr 15, 2021Electrical System466,205 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V743000Oct 18, 2019Electrical System466,205 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
Remedy: 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.
2017 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 28.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,275
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Impreza a Complaint Index of 67, worse than most other Impreza years, placing it 6th worst out of 16 years and earning a Caution verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 41% of the 125 complaints filed, including headlight fires and ECM-related ignition coil issues.
- Does the 2017 Subaru Impreza have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2017 Impreza covering the electrical system, engine PCV valve, fuel system, and rearview camera software, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 Impreza compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 67 is higher than 2015 (47), 2016 (40), and 2021 (20), but lower than 2012 and 2013, which both scored above 90 and are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
- The EPA rates the 2017 Impreza at 28.5 mpg combined (25.5 city / 33.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,275.