2017 Subaru WRX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 33 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 53 complaints (26.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 15.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 15.1% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 15.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
Electrical System: 14; Engine: 12; Power Train: 11; Steering: 6; Air Bags: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 9; 2019: 6; 2020: 8; 2021: 10; 2022: 6; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11079919 · 2018-03-17 (March 17, 2018)
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EMERGENCY BRAKE BROKE AND VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO STREET CAUSING ACCIDENT. HAVE VIDEO OF INCIDENT AND CAN HEAR BRAKE CABLE BREAKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11079919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099222 · 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)
SUBWOOFER AND AMP OVERHEATED DURING NORMAL USE CAUSING WIRES TO BURN AND MELT CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT FIRE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS SEEMINGLY SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO A 2017 RECALL OF ALMOST 10,000 2015 MODEL YEAR WRXS
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11099222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119804 · 2018-08-14 (August 14, 2018)
THROW OUT BEARING HAS NOW GONE OUT FOR THE 3X. SUBARU OF AMERICA DID EVERYTHING TO NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. GRIND IN 3RD GEAR NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11120143 · 2018-08-15 (August 15, 2018)
CLUTCH ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS BURNED OUT TWICE IN 13000 MILES. DEALER BLAMES DRIVER AND IS NOT LOOKING HARD FOR OTHER CAUSES. WE ARE 100% POSITIVE THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR. HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON HIGHWAY TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11120143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122881 · 2018-08-28 (August 28, 2018)
STALLING. I HAVE A 2017 SUBARU WRX CVT. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR IDLED HARD AND STALLED, AGAIN THIS IS A CVT NOT A MANUAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122881 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123348 · 2018-08-29 (August 29, 2018)
I HAVE HAD THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES IDLE HARD THEN DIE BOTH WHEN STOPPED AT STOPLIGHTS AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS IS THE CVT NOT THE MANUAL AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID "THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION" WHICH I DON'T THINK THE CAR DYING WHEN I COME TO A STOP IS "NORMAL OPERATION".
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11128071 · 2018-09-07 (September 7, 2018)
THE SIDE MIRRORS SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RENDERING THEM USELESS. I'VE WORKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE ISSUE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ALL DO THIS. I THEN HAD THE MIRROR ASSEMBLY REPLACED BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SEVERELY INHIBITS MY VISION WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155562 · 2018-12-03 (December 3, 2018)
PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. TSB OUT ON CLUTCH BUT DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PREFORM REPAIRS. NEEDS TO BE A FULL RECALL. NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155562 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V522000 · Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:Switch
Reported: 2022-07-21 (July 21, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗