This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on the inside of the lamp lenses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Impreza lighting problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Subaru Impreza in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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 announcement is in regard to the WRG-22 Impreza Headlamp non-compliance recall on 2017MY Impreza's.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Subaru Net Announcement is an update to the WRG-22 Impreza headlamp non-compliance recall. It is in regard to part availability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗UPDATE Safety Recall: WRG-22 Impreza Headlamp Non-Compliance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗UPDATE Safety Recall: WRG-22 Impreza Headlamp Non-Compliance
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Impreza headlight cluster breaks down into two categories: actual failures and a recall parts emergency.
Real failures: A driver reported both headlights failing independently—driver side in September 2021, passenger side in January 2023—with complete loss of illumination and no warning. A second owner reported a "Check Headlight Assembly" message with the passenger side occasionally cutting out during startup and at variable speeds. A third documented dim and inadequate illumination at night with no warning light, then loss of the driver side headlight. Another saw low beam reflectors unable to produce adequate light.
The bigger problem—the recall: Subaru issued recall WRG22 (NHTSA 22V624000) for exterior lighting in August 2022. By March 2023, Subaru's own email stated no parts were available and no delivery date existed. Twenty-eight of 30 narratives describe owners receiving recall notices but unable to get the repair done because parts never arrived. One military owner stationed overseas couldn't bring the vehicle back into the U.S. due to the open recall. Multiple owners noted 15+ months had passed without resolution. Dealers confirmed parts unavailability. Subaru's response blamed the manufacturer for information flow, not acknowledging any internal responsibility. Owners reported parts distribution disconnect.
Same Subaru Impreza lighting reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight assembly failure (complete darkness)
Entire headlight assembly becomes inoperable, cutting off illumination completely. No warning from vehicle systems. Affects driver and passenger side independently.
When: September 2021 (driver side); January 2023 (passenger side)
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight assembly completely inoperable; No warning light or system notification; Complete loss of illumination from affected side
Repairs/costs cited: Full headlight assembly replacement required (not bulb alone)
Headlight intermittent dropout with check message
Front headlight occasionally turns off or on during starting and driving. Vehicle displays 'Check Headlight Assembly' message. Indicates faulty headlight assembly.
When: 69,534 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Headlight Assembly warning message displayed; Front passenger side headlight intermittently off/on while starting; Intermittent dropout at various driving speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Headlight assembly replacement needed; not completed at time of report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting) referenced as possible cause
Dim/inadequate headlight illumination
Headlights produce insufficient light output for safe night driving. Low beam reflector fails to adequately reflect light. No warning light activation.
When: 30,000–60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dim headlight output; Inadequate illumination for night driving; Low beam reflector inadequate reflection; No warning light illuminated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V624000 (Exterior Lighting); parts unavailable as of complaint date
Recall WRG22 / NHTSA 22V624000 parts unavailability
Exterior lighting recall issued August 2022 but replacement parts never became available. 30 of 30 complaints center on inability to complete recall repair. Subaru confirmed via email (March 2023) no estimated parts delivery date and unclear parts quantity needed. Extends 15+ months without resolution.
When: Recall notice issued August–October 2022; complaints continue through 2023 without parts availability
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; Replacement parts unavailable indefinitely; Dealers unable to schedule repair; Manufacturer repeatedly states no ETA on parts; Owners unable to transfer or sell vehicles due to open recall
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 22V624000, WRG22
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cannot be completed; parts distribution disconnect reported in multiple narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WRG22 / NHTSA 22V624000 issued August 2022. Subaru email (3/3/2023) states no parts availability date, no parts count, and parts only ship to retailers once available. No follow-up resolution offered.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 vehicle back into the USA due to the vehicle being under recall. The contact stated that the country where the vehicle…
I received the recall notice that shows "WRG-22, NHTSA ID 22V-624, October 2029." I have been waiting for Subaru to fix this. It seems a year later, it should be taken care of? As per the NHTSA site, it says to file a complaint if this is not fixed in a timely manner, so I am submitting this.
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2017 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 30 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 53,515 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.