2017 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 21 model years tracked, ranking it worst overall. Owners logged 53 complaints, mostly involving the Electrical System (32%) and Engine (26%), with 8 crashes and 2 fires reported, giving it an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 53
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (32%)
- Engine14 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (21%)
- Steering6 (11%)
- Airbags4 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (8%)
- Fuel System3 (6%)
- Other3 (6%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Windshield wipers stop functioning entirely and remain unrepaired even after motor replacement, sometimes paired with a steering wheel that suddenly won't turn.
- Steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn mid-drive, in one case at highway speed of 70 mph, leading to loss of control.
- Brake pedal fails to stop the vehicle during a steering malfunction, resulting in a crash into a ditch.
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including deer strikes and rear-end impacts around 55-70 mph.
- Eyesight driver-assist system and dashboard warning lights activate erratically while turning at 35-40 mph, accompanied by a feeling of losing control.
- Subwoofer and amplifier wiring overheats during normal use, burning and melting wires and creating a fire risk similar to a prior recall on 2015 model year WRX vehicles.
2017 Subaru WRX recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V522000Jul 21, 2022Electrical System59,934 vehicles
Exterior lighting:back up lights:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.
Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.
2017 Subaru WRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Subaru WRX reliable?
- Compared with other WRX model years, the 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst of 21 years tracked, with 53 complaints, 8 crashes, and 2 fires reported to NHTSA.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru WRX?
- Electrical System complaints lead at 32% of all complaints (17 of 53), followed by Engine issues at 26% (14) and Transmission & Powertrain at 21% (11).
- Does the 2017 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (22V522000) for the 2017 WRX, covering a backup light switch that can corrode and fail, affecting rearview camera image and backup lights.
- At what mileage do 2017 WRX problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems for the 2017 WRX is 36,000 miles, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 48,000 miles.
- How does the 2017 WRX compare to other model years?
- The 2017 WRX's complaint index of 100 is the highest among all years shown, higher than 2018 (95), 2015 (85), and 2022 (90), placing it at rank 1 worst-first.