What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Exterior lighting leads with 32 complaints, followed by visibility and wiper issues with 25 and electrical system issues with 21.

Are there recalls on the 2017 Subaru Impreza?

Yes. The by-year data shows 7 recalls. The full list is in the Recalls section of this page.

Does the 2017 Impreza have engine problems?

The engine group has 14 complaints. Owners describe early low oil warnings and cars shutting off at a light.

How many complaints does the 2017 Impreza have?

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file. They are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.

What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Impreza?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport^[1]. The biggest group is exterior lighting, with 32 complaints^[2].

125owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[3]

25–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Exterior Lighting. 32 complaints^[2]. Owners describe headlights that look dim or stop working, and repair parts that were not yet available when a dealer was asked to fix them.
Visibility/Wiper. 25 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, drivers say the driver side mirror will not angle out far enough to cover the blind spot. Others describe a sunroof panel or a side mirror breaking with a loud bang, and windshields that cracked.
Unknown Or Other. 22 complaints^[7]. These reports do not fit a named component group.
Electrical System. 21 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the radio freezing or losing its settings, the rear camera going blank, and the driver assist system switching itself off until the car is restarted.
Engine. 14 complaints^[9]. Owners describe low oil warnings that came on early, and cars that shut off at a light or while turning.
Air Bags. 11 complaints^[10]. This group also has 5 crash reports and 5 injuries^[10].
Brakes. 7 complaints^[11].
Power Train. 5 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Impreza/Outback Sport is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights (22V624), August 2022. About 188,397 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Electrical System › Software (21V264), April 2021. About 466,205 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Electrical System › Software (19V743), October 2019. About 466,205 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) (19V745), October 2019. About 251 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv) (19V744), October 2019. About 205,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (17V216), March 2017. About 33,131 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Back Over Prevention › Camera System (17V132), March 2017. About 25,567 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Impreza 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[4]	28 / 38 / 32	$2,100
Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	27 / 36 / 30	$2,250
Impreza 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	28 / 37 / 31	$2,150
Impreza Sport 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	27 / 35 / 30	$2,250
Impreza 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[23]	24 / 32 / 27	$2,500
Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	23 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Impreza 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[25]	24 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Impreza Sport 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[26]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[5]	5	5	5	5	9.5%
SW AWD^[27]	5	5	5	5	9.5%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
IMPREZA 4DR SEDAN^[28]	182 in	70 in	57 in	105 in	3,034 lb
IMPREZA 5DR HATCH^[29]	176 in	70 in	58 in	105 in	3,047 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Impreza/Outback Sport model year. The 2017 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	46	1
1996	20	0
1997	30	0
1998	30	0
1999	22	0
2000	41	0
2001	11	0
2002	292	6
2003	62	6
2004	96	8
2005	75	6
2006	60	10
2007	68	9
2008	213	14
2009	119	14
2010	46	15
2011	58	14
2012	243	6
2013	251	4
2014	108	3
2015	79	2
2016	75	1
2017	125	7

NHTSA's counts for the Impreza/Outback Sport show 125 complaints and 7 recalls for 2017^[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2001 (11) and the most are for 2002 (292)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2017 Impreza/Outback Sport?

The 2017 Impreza/Outback Sport has 125 complaints on file^[1]. Lighting and visibility reports lead the list^[2]^[6]. The air bag group is smaller, but it has the most crash and injury reports of any group^[10]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales. Check the recalls section on this page and ask a dealer whether any repairs are still open.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Impreza?: Exterior lighting leads with 32 complaints^[2], followed by visibility and wiper issues with 25^[6] and electrical system issues with 21^[8].
Are there recalls on the 2017 Subaru Impreza?: Yes. The by-year data shows 7 recalls^[3]. The full list is in the Recalls section of this page.
Does the 2017 Impreza have engine problems?: The engine group has 14 complaints^[9]. Owners describe early low oil warnings and cars shutting off at a light.
How many complaints does the 2017 Impreza have?: NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales.
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Impreza?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

2008 213 complaints, 14 recalls
2009 119 complaints, 14 recalls
2010 46 complaints, 15 recalls
2012 243 complaints, 6 recalls
2013 251 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 108 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 79 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 75 complaints, 1 recall
2017 this page

Compare all model years of the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

Other Subaru models from 2017

2017 Subaru Forester 592 complaints, 1 recall
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback 1,038 complaints, 4 recalls

All Subaru models

Similar cars from 2017: midsize cars

2017 Lincoln MKZ 158 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Mazda 6 60 complaints, 1 recall
2017 Nissan Maxima 106 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 Nissan Sentra 231 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Toyota Corolla 190 complaints, 3 recalls
2017 Volkswagen Passat 110 complaints, 7 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport (10 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Impreza 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,500). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,890). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,222). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,948). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V624, filed August 12, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V264, filed April 15, 2021: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V743, filed October 18, 2019: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V745, filed October 17, 2019: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv). NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V744, filed October 17, 2019: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (Pcv). NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V216, filed March 29, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V132, filed March 2, 2017: Back Over Prevention › Camera System. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 37 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza Sport 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza Sport 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Impreza Sport 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA 4DR SEDAN: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,034 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA 5DR HATCH: length 176 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,047 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2017 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport: problems, recalls and fuel economy