Subaru›Impreza›1997›1.8L/subaru/impreza/1997/1-8l/

1997 Subaru Impreza — 1.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Impreza 1.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 1.8LTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 1997 Subaru Impreza 1.8L arrives as a passenger car equipped with a 1.8-liter engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, running on 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and returning EPA estimates of 21 city, 27 highway, and 24 combined miles per gallon. Owner-reported complaints total 34 for this model year, with wheels emerging as the leading concern amid three recalls, a figure that sits well below the generation's peak of 300 complaints recorded in 2002 and far above the single complaint logged for the final year covered in 2026. This positioning suggests the 1997 Impreza occupies a comparatively quiet chapter in the model's long-term reliability arc, though the wheel-focused complaint pattern and recall count warrant attention for any researcher assessing durability trends.

Model year199719961995

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque58-72 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/27/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionManual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase99.2 in
Curb weight2844 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume84 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1997 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

12.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.70 sec — 1993 L Wagon
110 hpHorsepower (as tested)
110 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1993L Wagon 1.8L F-412.70 sec19.00 sec110 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-72 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings29-31 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts87-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Main Bearings10MM

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts58-72 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub137 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub137 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.63-0.77 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,400-15,600 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13-17 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression156-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket58 ft-lbs / 24-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0029 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1-225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
780-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
880-90 degrees.80–90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Subaru Impreza recorded 34 complaints, 3 recalls, and 33 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Compared to the previous year's 27 complaints and 22 TSBs, the 1997 model saw a slight increase in both, though it remained more stable than the 46 complaints reported for 1998. Across the broader generation, the data shows a period of relatively low incident rates through 2001, before a significant surge in complaints and recalls beginning in 2002. Falling within this early, more stable phase, the 1997 model avoids the extreme spikes seen in later years, such as the 300 complaints in 2002. The most frequent issues for 1997 involved Wheels (6), Air Bags (5), and Power Train (4), though the data does not specify the root cause of these failures. Given its position in the lower-incident portion of the vehicle's federal record, this is a good year to buy.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
33
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Wheels6
Air Bags5
Power Train4
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Suspension,Equipment1
Fuel System, Other1
Suspension,Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

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… 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.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
12-249-23R2023-07-11EquipmentThis bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering…
15-302-222022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R2022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R2022-03-18Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R2021-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Impreza 1.8L take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 1.8L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg.