There are 5 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2017 Subaru Imprezain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
Since new, maybe once a month, Cruise control idiot light comes on and flashes until car is turned off. usually no bother but one day it started braking without me and I bought the DUMB base model!!! before extended warranty expires, this august, hopefully dealer will replace wheel speed sensors on rear wheels. not sure if this will fix problem. I have asked them to check this six or seven times now. they tell me warranty may not cover it unless code is stored? hopefully they will stand behind product and fix it anyway. 2017 Impreza with 33000 miles and have done ALL recalls and maintenance!
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.
CAR WILL NOT MOVE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER HITTING THE GAS AND AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. COASTING TO A RED LIGHT STOP DOWNHILL, WHEN I START TO MAKE LEFT TURN INTO TRAFFIC CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL FOR 2-4 SECONDS AND WHEN IT STARTS MOVING IT FEELS LIKE ITS IN A HIGH GEAR BUCKING LIKE A MANUEL TRANSMISSION. IT IS A CVT . LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I ROLLED INTO THE INTERSECTION ALMOST TO GET HIT BY A TRUCK, LUCKILY IT SWERVED TO AVOID ME. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. ENCLOSED IS A PICTURE OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON WHILE I AM DRIVING, EXTREMELY UNSAFE VEHICLE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. ALSO, THE GEARS FAILED TO SHIFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE DIFFERENT TIMES ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026