YearToAvoid

2017 Subaru Crosstrek Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has a Complaint Index of 38, ranking 9th worst out of 14 model years, giving it a "Good" verdict relative to other Crosstrek years. NHTSA lists 94 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
38/100
#9 of 14 Crosstrek years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
94
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
5
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27.5
24.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other34 (36%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers25 (27%)
  3. Electrical System20 (21%)
  4. Engine13 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain13 (14%)
  6. Brakes6 (6%)
  7. Steering5 (5%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
  9. Airbags3 (3%)
  10. Fuel System3 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the windshield defogger fails to clear fog in heavy rain and humidity, reducing visibility while driving.
  • Some drivers describe the engine stalling unexpectedly while approaching a stop, with the failure recurring multiple times before a dealer could diagnose it.
  • Owners report sudden loss of engine power while driving on the freeway, in one case resulting in the vehicle being rear-ended.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle surging or lurching forward unexpectedly at low speed while parking, causing it to strike a wall.
  • Owners report the key becoming intermittently stuck in the ignition switch even when the vehicle is in park and off.
  • One owner reported the EyeSight collision-avoidance braking system failing to stop the vehicle in the rain, leading to a rear-end crash.
2017 Subaru Crosstrek complaints: complaints filed per quarter132017 Q32018 Q42019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42024 Q1
94 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q3 to 2025 Q4; peak 2019 Q4 (13).

2017 Subaru Crosstrek recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

    Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

2017 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24.5 MPG
Highway
31.5 MPG
Combined
27.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,375
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Crosstrek years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best8171—
2016Caution541311—
2017Good3894127.5
2018Avoid77194527
2019Avoid92284729

All Subaru Crosstrek years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
Among 14 Crosstrek model years tracked, 2017 has a Complaint Index of 38 and ranks 9th worst, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other years of the same model.
What problems does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA data shows 94 complaints for 2017, led by Visibility & Wipers issues (25 complaints, 27% share) and Electrical System issues (20 complaints, 21% share), with a median failure mileage of 27,900 for the year overall.
Does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2017 Crosstrek, covering the Electrical System (brake light switch), reported in 2019. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 Crosstrek compare to other years?
The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 38 is lower than 2016 (54), 2018 (69), and 2019 (92), all of which carry "Caution" or "Avoid" verdicts, making 2017 a comparatively better year.
What is the most common issue on the 2017 Crosstrek?
Visibility & Wipers is the top problem area, accounting for 25 of 94 complaints (27%), with a median mileage at failure of 26,000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.