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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-SUBARU-IMPREZA NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru

2017 Subaru Impreza problems

The 2017 Subaru Impreza has 125 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

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The 2017 Subaru Impreza has 125 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 30 complaints (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Subaru Impreza owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2014 Impreza 108 3
2015 Impreza 79 2
2016 Impreza 75 1
2017 Impreza (this page) 125 7
2018 Impreza 149 5
2019 Impreza 194 5
2020 Impreza 85 1
2017 Subaru Impreza
Photo: Alexander-93 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Subaru Impreza
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
7
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Impreza?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall

Overall 5/5
Frontal crash 5/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 5/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Subaru Impreza SW AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2017 Subaru Impreza? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2017 Subaru Impreza

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2017-subaru-impreza/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2017 Subaru Impreza reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2017-subaru-impreza/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2017 Subaru Impreza reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

lighting
30 reports · avg $250
moderate
visibility
21 reports · avg $350
moderate
electrical
19 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
9 reports · avg $3,100
severe
airbags
8 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
5 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
brakes
3 reports · avg $450
severe
fuel system
3 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 Impreza's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 Impreza?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Impreza · lighting
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact who is active Military stationed outside of the US, was unable to import the…
2017 Impreza · brakes Crash
I received a notice from Subaru described as a service program wur-03. Therefore it is not a recall like the ECM and pcv valve issues. I was unable to make an appointment since I received the notice so close to the holiday. Unfortunately I was involved in a traffic accident…
2017 Impreza · visibility
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…
2017 Impreza · engine
The RPM is dropping to 6,000 to 5,800. Every time I apply the break all the way. Felt the vibration of the car every time the car is stop. Took it to the 2 different dealer still don't know what to do with it. I also call the Subaru main office they said there is nothing they…
View all 125 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 Subaru Impreza? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 7

severe NHTSA 22V624000 August 12, 2022

Subaru of America, Inc

Reflectors that do not provide adequate illumination reduce the driver's ability to see and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 21V264000 April 15, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc

A short circuit in the ignition coils may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V743000 October 18, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc

If a short circuit occurs while driving, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
View all 7 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2017 Subaru Impreza reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Subaru Impreza has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2017 Subaru Impreza?

The 2017 Subaru Impreza is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 30 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2017 Subaru Impreza a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 125 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 30 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Subaru Impreza has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 125 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Subaru/Impreza. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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