2017 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Subaru Impreza has a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 125 complaints and 7 recalls, led by electrical system problems (41% of complaints) and a headlight/reflector recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 125
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28.5
- 25.5 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headlights or reflectors reportedly failed to light the road properly, with one owner hitting a guard rail at 35 mph on an exit ramp due to poor visibility.
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked and turned off, including one incident where a headlight spontaneously ignited and another where three parked vehicles were destroyed by fire.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front and side-impact crashes, including one at 45 to 50 mph.
- The engine reportedly surged forward unexpectedly while coasting in a driveway, with the automatic braking feature failing to activate, leading to a collision with a garage door.
- Brakes reportedly triggered unexpected engine noise and loss of control while parking at low speed, resulting in a collision.
- A fuel system issue was linked to a crash with airbag deployment shortly after purchase, at very low mileage.
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 ranks the 2017 Impreza 5th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict relative to other Impreza years. Electrical system problems account for 41% of its 125 complaints.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
- Electrical System is the top problem area, with 51 complaints making up 41% of all reported issues, including 2 fires.
- Does the 2017 Subaru Impreza have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2017 Impreza, covering the electrical system, engine, fuel system, and rearview camera software, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2017 Impreza compare to other Impreza years?
- Its complaint index of 80 is higher than most other years; only 2012 (95), 2013 (90), and 2019 (100) score worse, while years like 2022 (10) and 2025 (5) rate much better.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2017 Impreza?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 14,953, though airbag issues showed up at a much lower median of 4,948 miles and fuel system issues at 6,152 miles.