1997 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 9 of 30 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 20 in 1996 to 30 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–24 | 22–24 | 23–24 | 21–23 | 22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 26–29 | 19–22 / 26–29 | 20–21 / 27–28 | 19–20 / 25–27 | 19–20 / 26–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–404 | 370–404 | 370–386 | 386–423 | 404 | |
| Complaints filed | 46 | 20 | 30 | 30 | 22 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 9 of 30 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 09E025000 · May 11, 2009
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 08E050000 · Aug 14, 2008
Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.