This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Impreza electrical problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 19 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 15 model years of Subaru Impreza in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of electrical system failures affecting safety and basic functionality. ECM failure appears after recall completion, with dealership blaming maintenance despite electrical systems not being mechanical lubrication issues. Battery drains overnight with no warning, forcing owners to carry jump boxes. Infotainment systems freeze, disable, and lock vehicles with engines running—issues that worsen after software updates meant to fix them.
Safety-critical failures include sudden loss of power and engine stalling on highways with no warning, leaving drivers unable to steer or brake. Multiple vehicles caught fire while parked, with headlight assemblies as suspected ignition sources. Unintended acceleration during parking and unresponsive brake detection during backup create collision hazards.
Owners report soy-based wire insulation attracting rodent damage, a known issue since 2015 that Subaru allegedly continued using despite litigation. Airbag sensors in roof wiring lack heat protection, causing false warnings. Radio controls fail, freeze, or turn on at full volume with unresponsive volume knobs. Backup cameras go blank after recall service. One owner reports dealership acknowledging known infotainment problems with no fix available and no stop-sell order issued despite selling vehicles with defects. Dealer response has ranged from dismissive to charging owners for non-recalled electrical failures.
Same Subaru Impreza electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
ECM (Engine Control Module) Failure
Engine Control Module fails after recall repair completed; dealership attributes failure to engine sludge, but owner disputes this explanation since ECM is electronic, not mechanical. Diagnostic codes burned into module.
When: After June 2021 recall repair (WRE21); symptoms appear by February 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Drivability concerns; Camshaft slow response; Persistent sensor issues
Codes mentioned: Camshaft slow response codes
Repairs/costs cited: Technician recommended replacement of multiple components including ECM; codes were burned into ECM
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WRE21 (ignition coil) completed June 2021; dealership claims ECM failure due to engine sludge/lack of maintenance
Soy-Based Wire Chewing by Rodents
Electrical wiring and wire harness made from soy-based insulation; rodents chew through wiring. Owner reports Subaru was aware of soy wiring problem since 2015 and was sued in 2017 but continued manufacturing vehicles with soy-based electrical components.
When: January 2018 (7 months after purchase) and August 2018 (16 months after purchase); 14.7K miles total
Symptoms owners cite: Rodent damage to electrical wiring; Rodent damage to wire harness; Repeated chewing damage despite rodent abatement attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Owner spent $2,000+ on repairs, rodent abatement, and car bubble enclosure to prevent access; dealership refused warranty coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership advised issue is inherent to vehicle design; no recall or warranty coverage provided despite known issue
Airbag Warning Light / Sensor Malfunction
Airbag warning light stays on after service or comes on intermittently in hot temperatures. Issue traced to airbag sensor wiring located in interior roof near lights; sensor wires lack adequate heat protection causing improper passenger detection.
When: After service; issue appears intermittently when outside temperatures are hot
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light remains on; False airbag activation warnings; Light comes on when stationary or moving; Sensor fails to properly register passenger presence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $600+ to repair wiring issue; replacement part not available at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledges known problem with airbag sensor but states only techs calling tech help line are aware; replacement part not currently available; no recall issued
Infotainment System Software Failures
Multiple infotainment and software-related failures including EyeSight disabling itself, radio controls freezing, backup camera disabling, screen freezing, clock resetting, and vehicle self-locking. Dealership indicates software updates temporary fixes but new issues emerge after each update.
When: Within days of purchase (February 2017); recurring throughout ownership; most recent issue July 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Radio presets wiped out; XM/satellite radio reverting to trial period; STARLINK system problem codes; Screen freezing; Backup camera disables intermittently; EyeSight system disables itself randomly; Clock time changing on its own; Vehicle locks itself with engine running and both keys outside vehicle; Radio volume controls unresponsive
Codes mentioned: STARLINK system problem code
Repairs/costs cited: Head unit replaced but identical radio issues persist; repeated software updates required; one vehicle under review for buyback/replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru confirmed problem is known issue with no current fix; sales manager indicated no stop-sell order was issued despite known defect; no callback from Subaru customer service
Battery Drain / Electrical Drain
Vehicle battery drains completely overnight without apparent cause; no interior lights left on and vehicle properly shut off. Suspected source is infotainment system. Has occurred multiple times requiring battery replacement.
When: Overnight drain; occurred at least twice during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Dead battery after overnight parking; No warning lights or indicators of battery drain; Battery drain with no interior lights on; Slow start failures requiring jump box
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced twice; owner now carries jump box at all times; dealership unable to identify root cause
Sudden Loss of Power / Engine Stall
Vehicle suddenly loses power and stops on highway without electronic warning. Engine stalls or loses acceleration at specific speeds (16-11 mph range). Issue persists since purchase despite recalls and repairs.
When: During highway driving; stalling occurs at 16-11 mph; occurred after multiple recall repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Car suddenly stops on highway; No electronic warning before stall; Acceleration slows rapidly after 16-15 mph; Engine ramps up at 13 mph then slows around 11 mph; Vehicle becomes unresponsive to steering/braking during incident
Repairs/costs cited: $1,133.98 charged to owner for electronic issue repair despite dealership stating 'not my fault' and issue not on recall list
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls completed for electronics and brakes; dealership charged owner for non-recalled electronic issue
Headlight Assembly Failure / Fire Hazard
Left headlamp assembly fails completely requiring replacement of entire assembly at cost of $2,000+. Separate incidents reported of vehicles catching fire with headlight noted as ignition source.
When: During vehicle ownership; vehicle parked and off at time of fire incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight bulb/assembly failure; Poor visibility at night; Vehicle fire on front passenger/left headlight side; Spontaneous ignition of left side headlight; Fire while parked approximately 10 minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Headlamp assembly replacement cost $2,000+; local garage replacement completed; fire incidents destroyed vehicles (54,000 miles and parked vehicles)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 issued but affected VIN reportedly excluded from recall coverage; dealership sent service notice to inspect left headlamp
Radio Control Malfunction
Radio volume comes on loudly at startup with unresponsive controls. Volume knob spins uselessly before muting. Radio controls freeze entirely. Issues persist after head unit replacement.
When: At startup; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Radio turns on at full volume automatically on startup; Volume control knob unresponsive (spins without effect); Radio controls completely frozen; Cannot select AM/FM bands; Radio mutes only after 10-second delay; Volume control works only when car moving forward, not while reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Head unit replaced; identical problem persists; temporary fix requires battery disconnect or fuse removal/reinsertion; owner disabled radio use to avoid issue
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle accelerates suddenly with engine noise despite brake pedal being pressed. Incident occurred at low speed during parking maneuver. Manufacturer attributed cause to floor mat after 10-week investigation but owner disputes this explanation.
When: During slow (5 mph) parking turn maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates with racing engine noise while brake pedal pressed; Vehicle collides with parking fence and adjacent parked car; No warning before acceleration event
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer investigated 10 weeks; final report attributed to floor mat placement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer investigation concluded weather mat may have caused acceleration; no recall issued
Rear Camera / Backup System Failure
Rearview backup camera fails to display or displays blank screen, particularly after federal rear camera recall. Issue is recurring and random.
When: After federal rear camera recall; random failures
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera fails to appear on screen; Blank screen when backing up; Camera disables itself randomly; System resets after vehicle restart
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle has been to three different dealers for repairs; fourth appointment pending
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Federal rear camera recall performed but problems increased after recall
Ignition Lock Failure
Ignition key lock stuck and will not release for extended period. Owner reported issue to Subaru service who dismissed complaint.
When: During vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition lock will not release; Key stuck in ignition for 20 minutes before releasing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service dismissed complaint as user error
Cruise Control Malfunction
Cruise control system error. Owner questions if failure could cause brake light failure and concerns about other bus system impacts.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control error
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Radio sound at high volume on start-up with control knob useless to turn down or turn off the sound. The head unit has been replaced. Problem is identical. Turning sound off at shutdown the day before makes no difference. Reversing in parking lots is perilous. There can be a few seconds of delay before the loud sound begins, while the car is rolling. Stabbing the off button is useless. Volume…
There are two separate issues with this vehicle which has not been resolved through dealers help and no recalls have been issued yet for these problems. First: the engine stalls around 16 to 11 MPH. The acceleration slows down rapidly after 16-15mph then it ramps up at 13mph and then slows down around 11 MPH speeds. This issue has been persistent since the ownership of the vehicle. NHTSA…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 3,000 and 26,000 miles, with the median around 5,400. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 26,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Subaru/Impreza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.