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The 2017 Subaru Impreza has 125 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 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.
The 2017 Subaru Impreza has 125 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 30 complaints, typically surfacing around 53,515 miles (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Impreza | 108 | 2 |
| 2015 Impreza | 79 | 0 |
| 2016 Impreza | 75 | 0 |
| 2017 Impreza (this page) | 125 | 3 |
| 2018 Impreza | 149 | 1 |
| 2019 Impreza | 191 | 3 |
| 2020 Impreza | 85 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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.
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.
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.
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 15,374 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 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 →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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A rearview camera display that does not function as designed can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 125 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Subaru Impreza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
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 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 30 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,515 miles. 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.
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 125 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Typical failure occurs around 53,515 miles. 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.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 30 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,515 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 53,515 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
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.