2017 Subaru Impreza Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/07/2026

I am filing a safety complaint regarding an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure in my 2017 Subaru Impreza and the handling of a prior recall repair. Dealership records show that a recall repair (WRE21 – ignition coil recall) was completed in June 2021. At that time, the dealership documented that the ECM calibration was up to date and functioning properly. However, I later experienced a check engine light and drivability concerns. Diagnostic records from February 2026 indicate: •Camshaft slow response codes •Persistent sensor issues •A technician recommendation to replace multiple components, including the ECM, stating that codes were “burned into the ECM” The dealership has since attempted to attribute the ECM failure to “engine sludge” and lack of maintenance. Concern with Dealership Explanation: This explanation is inconsistent and raises serious concerns: •Engine sludge is a mechanical lubrication issue and does not directly cause an ECM (electronic control module) to fail or become “burned.” •The ECM is an electronic unit, and failure typically results from electrical defects, internal faults, or manufacturing issues—not oil sludge. •The dealership has not provided technical evidence showing how sludge could damage or “burn” the ECM. •This appears to be an attempt to shift responsibility away from a potential defect or improperly completed recall repair. Safety Concern: The ECM is critical to safe vehicle operation. A failure can result in: •Engine malfunction or reduced power •Unpredictable vehicle behavior •Increased risk while driving If ECM failures are being misdiagnosed or incorrectly attributed to maintenance issues, this could allow serious safety defects to go unaddressed. Requested Action: I request that NHTSA: 1.Investigate whether ECM failures are being improperly attributed to maintenance issues such as engine sludge. 2.Review whether the recall repair (WRE21) was properly completed and whether it is related to thi

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 01/20/2026

I noticed that visibility at night was poor. I was pulled over by the police and give a warning that my headlight was out and told to get it fixed. I thought it may be as simple as a bulb but was told the entire left headlamp assembly had to be replaced at a cost of more than $2,000. Just days later my Dealership send me a service notice which also stated that the left headlamp should be inspected. This was after I had already had it replaced at a local garage. The dealership confirmed that their was a recall but when I tried to get reimbursed by Subaru thru the safety recall WRG-22/NHTSA 22V624000 they said my vin# was excluded from the recall!(?)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/01/2017

[XXX] 2017 Subaru Impreza VIN [XXX] Cruze control error. Will it make brake lights fail if not repaired? go look in your database and see if Impreza has more than normal rear end collisions? What else is on bus that might be damaged by spike? Braking? Antilock? Lights? Why is this NOT a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 08/02/2025

1. Any and all airbags failed to deploy. The car is currently parked in my garage and is available for inspection. The insurance company has declared the car a "total loss," and would like to tow it away as soon as possible. 2. The driver had a concussion and whiplash after their forehead hit the steering wheel. 3. No safety inspector has inspected the car yet. The insurance appraiser has inspected the car for the insurance company. 4. There were no warnings or dashboard lights indicating that the airbag had a problem and would fail to fully deploy.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/20/2023

Premature failure of wheel bearings. Both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced after only 54,192 miles. Technician indicated that replacements were upgraded "sealed" systems. At 73,712 miles the front driver's side wheel bearing was also replaced by the dealer after the same symptoms of excessive noise and poor mileage occurred. Concern is that high resistance in the failing bearings creates a lot of heat and could eventually cause catastrophic failure. In 40+ years of driving and owning cars with mileage accruals up to 229,000, this is the only one that ever required a wheel bearing replacement. This, and the technician's reference to upgraded bearings makes me believe that this is a manufacturing defect that should have been covered by a recall.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/05/2025

After reading forums online and my own experience I’m convinced the Subaru sun visors are improperly installed or fitted and pose a danger to drivers and those on the road. The sun visors on the driver and passenger side are incredibly loose and prone to falling off while I’m driving. I cannot use it to deflect sun because it will fall off while I’m driving - creating incredibly dangerous driving conditions. It has fallen in my lap but I’m afraid it might fall down to where the pedals are and cause further issues. This has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2019 and happens almost weekly It doesn’t appear that Subaru sells the parts separately so replacing it would be costly.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/23/2025

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle on the front passenger side of her vehicle. The contact mentioned that the seat belt did retract during the impact. No air bags deployed.  The vehicle was towed to IAA by the insurance company. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that she sustained a neck and brain injury from the impact that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/28/2024

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the "Check Headlight Assembly" message was displayed, and the front passenger’s side headlight occasionally turned off or on, while attempting to start the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V624000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,534.

ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 09/21/2024

I hit the guard rail going 35 mph on an exit ramp because of the low visibility because of the safety recall. I went to get the recall fixed when I found out and they refused to fix the recall because my bumper is messed up.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 08/01/2024

Parked at a store. Car caught on fire while in store. Car had been parked approximately 10 minutes. Left side headlight spontaneously ignited.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — Filed 04/24/2024

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate without warning. The contact then stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the traction control symbol flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. An attempt to jumpstart the vehicle also failed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was initially diagnosed with defective spark plugs and contaminated fuel. The contact was later informed that the failure was caused by a defective fuel pump that needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 68,500.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/05/2024

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 not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure causing the low beam reflector to inadequately reflect light. The failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 06/22/2023

Brunswick Subaru refuses to do headlight recall. I was told there is no fix yet over 6 months ago. I called again 2 weeks ago and told the same thing. I called Subaru directly and was told there is a fix and that they would contact me in two days. They still have not gotten me information on how to resolve recall 22v624000

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/29/2024

The clutch release bearing seized while driving preventing the clutch from being depressed. The only way to stop the car was by overpowering the clutch with the brakes and pulling the emergency brake. There is a service information bulletin (NUMBER: 03-82-18) currently for the known defective part. There were no dash lights on at the time.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 01/01/2022

Hard to see at night

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/14/2024

I was driving on the freeway and the all the airbags in my vehicle deployed, sides, front and under the steering wheel. I did not have an accident or hit anything in the road. The airbags blocked my view of the road, and the cabin filled with smoke. I was traveling at a freeway speed. I do not know if the issue has been reproduced. I have contacted my insurance company, and they are handling the claim. There was no prior indication of an issue and no dashboard lights indicated that there was an issue with any of the components of my car. There are no added components or modifications to my vehicle. I purchased the car new.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/18/2023

I was involved in an auto accident 9/18/2023. An SUV ran a red light and struck my care on the drivers side. The SUV struck me going between 45 and 50 mph according to the police report. My car was pushed over 20 feet and struck a traffic sign in the center median. My car was equipped with side curtain airbags and they did not deploy. I struck my head on the drivers side window. The front airbags failed to deploy also.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/07/2021

The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway and turned off, a fire ignited. The neighbor had discovered three vehicles in the driveway were on fire and called the fire department to the scene who extinguished the flames. During the incident, the three-vehicle were destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene. Fire investigators determined that the fire started on the front passenger side of the Subaru vehicle. No further information was available. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 54,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/23/2019

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 BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE SERVICE. THE SERVICE IS EXPLAINED AS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE HOSES WHERE FLUID SEEPS BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF THE HOSES. SO, SUBARU WANTS TO REPLACE ALL 4 OF THE BRAKE HOSES AT NO CHARGE. I AM AN AUTO TECH SO I KNOW THAT ANY INTERNAL BREAKDOWN OF A BRAKE HOSE INTERFERES WITH THE ABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMING PROPERLY. WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE ACCIDENT IN QUESTION IS THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IN TIME CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT SPACE FOR THE VEHICLE STOP WITHOUT STRIKING THE OTHER VEHICLE. BUT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES I HEARD A NOISE, ALMOST LIKE THE ABS PUMP OVER-PRESSURIZING, THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND PUSHED BACK AGAINST MY FOOT SLIGHTLY AS MY VEHICLE SLID INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE ROADS WERE DRY AND IT WAS SUNNY ABOUT 50 DEGREES. IN OTHER WORDS, ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR MY VEHICLE TO SLIDE.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/13/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS COASTING THE VEHICLE FORWARD IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT INDEPENDENTLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE AND THAT THE EYESIGHT AUTOMATIC BRAKING FEATURE FAILED TO ACTIVATE DURING EACH OCCURRENCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER (BEYER SUBARU, 7416 RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22306, 703-768-5800) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP FIRST AND THEN BRING IT TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON THE CONTACT'S PROPERTY AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. *TT*JB

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/15/2019

I'VE HAD SUBARUS MY WHOLE LIFE AND AM A LOYAL CONSUMER. RECENTLY I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS HIT IN THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I'M INCLUDING A PHOTO TO SHOW YOU THE DAMAGE TO MY 2017 IMPREZA. IT WAS TOTALED AND THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT HURT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT INFORMATION THAT WAS RELEASED BY THE NHTSA CONCERNING AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING, I FEEL I NEED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. I WILL BE SENDING THE SAME INFORMATION TO THE NHTSA. I REALIZE IN CERTAIN INSTANCES AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY AND PERHAPS THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES. HOWEVER I WOULD FEEL IRRESPONSIBLE IF I DID NOT BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. THE CLAIM WAS HANDLED AND THE VIN NUMBER IS . [XXX]. (THIS EMAIL WAS SENT TO SUBARU). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/27/2019

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER. SPEED OF THE SUBARU WAS BETWEEN 10 AND 20 MPH AT TIME OF IMPACT WITH FULL ABS ACTUATION ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. THE FRONT OF THE SUBARU WAS PUSHED BACK FAR ENOUGH SO THAT THE RADIATOR IS NOW IN CONTACT WITH THE ENGINE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, BUT STILL MADE CONTACT WITH THE A-PILLAR WITH HIS HEAD, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

SUSPENSION,WHEELS — Filed 03/22/2018

ON MARCH 22, 2018, MY 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT WAGON, WITH APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TRAVELING AT 8 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS PROCEEDING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT ' MAKING A RIGHT. 3/4 OF THE WAY THRU THE TURN I FELT A VIOLENT JARRING OF MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG SLAMMED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY UPPER BODY NECK AND HEAD. I SAW THAT MY DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DID NOT CHANGE I STARTED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND APPLY THE BRAKES. HAD NO BRAKES. A WOMAN PULLED OVER AND SHE SAID " NO ONE HIT YOU, YOUR WHEEL JUST FELL OFF." POLICE CAME AND HELPED ME OUT OF MY CAR AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. WE NOTICED 1/2 OF MY WHEEL WAS IN THE INTERSECTION AND A POLICE OFFICER RECOVERED IT FOR ME. MITCHELL SUBARU INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SUBMITTED A CLAIM WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) STATING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. SOA THEN CONDUCTED THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT. THE SOA REPRESENTATIVES WRONGLY CONCLUDED THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN A 'HIGH SPEED, REAR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE'. THEY DID NOT EXAMINE OR REMOVE ANY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FOR FURTHER TESTING. SOA CONCLUSIONS ARE COMPLETELY INACCURATE. THE POLICE OFFICER IS ADAMANT THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLE INVOLVED. EYEWITNESS ON THE SCENE STATED THAT SHE WATCHED THE EVENT UNFOLD AND THAT MY WHEEL 'FELL OFF'. THE ADJUSTER FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED THAT A 'MASSIVE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL / SUSPENSION CAUSED THE ACCIDENT', 'NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED'. A FACTORY TRAINED SUBARU TECHNICIAN WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE THAT POINTED TO A COLLISION AND THAT THE SCUFF MARKS NOTED BY SOA WHERE CAUSED BY THE REAR TIRE SLAMMING INTO THE PANEL. SOA DENIES ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEVASTATING FAILURE OF THEIR PRODUCT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/22/2017

I WAS PARKING MY CAR AT APARTMENT'S PARKING LOT BY RIGHT TURNING. I WAS DRIVING REALLY SLOW ABOUT 5MILES/HR.MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND AS I PRESS THE BREAK TO SLOW MY CAR FURTHER IT GOT ACCELERATED (WITH RAVING ENGINE NOISE) AND HIT FRONT PARKING FENCE AS WELL AS PARKED CAR RIGHT TO ME. I MOVED THE AUTOMATIC GEAR STICK TO PARKING POSITION AND ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I TALKED WITH MY CAR MAKER AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND PREPARED A REPORT IN 10 WEEKS. ACCORDING TO THEM WEATHER MAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.BUT I DO NOT THINK WEATHER MAT MOVED FROM ITS PLACE DURING INCIDENT. I AM REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN SPECIALLY MY CAR MANUFACTURER DOESN'T SEEMS TO FIND THE REAL CAUSE OF PROBLEM. I THINK MY VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING EVEN MY FOOT WAS ON BREAK.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/09/2017

I PURCHASED A 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA LIMITED ON 7.30.17 FROM BOB BARKER SUBARU IN CARLSBAD, CA. THE CAR, UNTIL YESTERDAY, HAD APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ON 8.9.17 AT 1830 MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HIS FRIEND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAR WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE BY A FORD FUSION ENTERING THE INTERSECTION AFTER THE SIGNAL HAD CHANGED. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS UNBELIEVEABLE!! MY SON REPORTS THAT THE SMELL OF SMOKE CAUSED HIM TO AWAKEN AND SCRAMBLE, WITH HIS FRIEND, FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND REACH SAFETY BEFORE THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A FRONTAL COLLISION ON A SIDE STREET CAN CAUSE A CAR TO BURST INTO AN INFERNO. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS CAR'S DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR IN A RATHER ORDINARY COLLISION. THIS INCIDENT DID NOT RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE OR SIGNIFICANT MORBIDITY, BUT FUTURE DRIVERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DIRECT YOU TO THE TOWING COMPANY THAT HAS THE CAR SO YOU CAN INVESTIGATE.