2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (22) · Power Train (8) · Electrical System (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Crosstrek model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
60 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (336)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a design change made to the cvt control valve body. the updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 336 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-22 · Power Train“premature shift fork failure in 2017 subaru crosstrek manual transmission at 62,521 miles requiring complete transmission replacement ($10,000 repair, vehicle worth $11,000). evidence of design defect: - subaru issued tsb 03-83-20r acknowledging shift fork design flaws in 2018-2020 crosstreks with identical transmission - tsb states original …”
2025-09-30 · Vehicle Speed Control“in august of 2024, i got into my car in a parking lot and turned the key in the ignition. the car started revving really high. i waited for it to slow down, and then i put it into reverse. the car shot back and would have hit the building if i hadn't slammed on the brakes. fortunately, there wasn't anyone behind the car at the time, but the woman w…”
2025-08-02 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness“the harness on my child's nuna rava loosened during a 30 minute drive home (highway and downtown driving) in may of 2025. i learned later that month that there is a recall on nuna ravas for that exact reason. it is available for inspection. my child was not properly secured, and i did not know it until we got home; he could have been killed or s…”
2024-03-06 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“on january 19, 2024 i was slowly pulling in to a parking spot at my doctors office. i did not pull up far enough, as there was a concrete retaining wall at the head of the spot and no tire block for safety. i was maybe 5 feet from the wall when i lightly tapped the gas pedal to inch up (as the back end of the car was sticking out into the passing l…”
2024-02-08 · Engine“there is a battery draining problem. i have had to replace the battery 3 times in a two-year period.…”
2024-01-31 · Wheels“wheel bearing go out after 40k plus miles. after doing research on my own wheels bearings it appears that this is a very common issue for this vehicle. this is not a lot of miles to have on a car before wheel bearings (rear) go bad. causing extensive damage if not caught and a safety hazard for those opporating the vehicle. …”
2023-08-23 · Unknown Or Other“the car has 26,000 miles and the heat shield over the muffler has shifted and causing a grinding sound against the back wheel. told the shield had rusted and needed replacement. there were no warning lights, just the grinding sound from the rear of the car.…”
2023-08-18 · Wheels“greetings: as outlined in service bulletin 05-70-19, rear wheel backing plate design change, i am having an almost overwhelming “whining or humming” sound coming from the rear portion of my vehicle. given the significance of this wheel bearing & backing plate issue, i respectfully request an recall & subsequent repair be initiated. coupled with a…”
2023-05-16 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads“both of the front inner brake pads separated from the backing plate presenting a safety concern since the brake performance was compromised. the front outer brake pads did not separate from the backing plates. all four brake pads were installed by myself along with new rotors in november 2021 and have experienced about 30,000 miles of use. there is…”
2023-03-14 · Power Train“- cam carrier leak, resulting in oil leaking from engine. oil is leaking onto catalytic converter sensor causing it to malfunction. - oil leaking from cars poses a safety and environmental hazard. - michael's subaru of bellevue (washington state) has confirmed it occurring, and it is a problem across subaru models according to a number of forum pos…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.