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2017 Subaru Wrx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

33 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Steering complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me on these issues even though I…

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The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me on these issues even though I just recently purchased the car stating that I have to pay for it. I purchased this car [XXX]. There were several issues with this car prior to purchase that were not disclosed when I purchased it. The dealership that I bought the car from, highline car connection/Yankee Auto sales, insisted we buy an extended warranty. Upon inspection at Dan Perkins Subaru, one of the biggest safety issues with this vehicle is the clutch, I was informed that the clutch cover was missing and there were aftermarket bolts used, I was informed that the clutch is a normal wear and tear item such as an oil change and because of these two issues my warranty will not cover fixing the clutch. As you can see in my documents I just recently purchased this vehicle and had it for 28 days. I also noticed that there was odometer tampering, I reviewed the paperwork the dealership gave me for the carfax report and I went online to retrieve my own carfax report, there are several discrepancies in which I included with my documents. My vehicle has been in the shop since December 6th 2024 it is not safe to drive on the road in the condition it is which is the same condition the car was sold to me in. For the last week I have been going back and forth with the original dealership the insurance company Allstate with the warranty and Dan Perkins Subaru trying to figure out a way to get my car safe on the road and no one is willing to assist me properly. Please review the documents and get back to me at your earliest convenience thank you for your assistance with these issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11630702

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringVisibility/wiperCrashFire

1, At about 12000 miles the car's windshield wipers stop working. And did not ever work again for the past several years. Wipers which was checked the motor was replaced to admission to the key was replaced and wiper still don't work. 2, About 24000 miles Was turning the vehicle around on a inclined road in the mountains w…

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1, At about 12000 miles the car's windshield wipers stop working. And did not ever work again for the past several years. Wipers which was checked the motor was replaced to admission to the key was replaced and wiper still don't work. 2, About 24000 miles Was turning the vehicle around on a inclined road in the mountains went to pull forward and the steering wheel would not work anymore which resulted in me crashing into a ravine dropping about 10 feet off the side of the cliff. 3, 33000 miles time issue occurred I was doing 75 on the Kansas turnpike and a curb came up as I entered the term for the curve that wheel would not turn and I kept going straighitting the guard railBut just only grazing it for I regained power to my steering at the last moment. And now currently again. dealership still cannot fix issue Instead they just charge me outrageous prices for not fixing anything and then threatened to call the cops on me if I don't pay it or agree to the service department's terms this has happened at 2 different dealerships.

NHTSA ODI #11561589

3,000 miles · Apr 12, 2021
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I HAVE ISSUES WITH SURGING, AC SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, EXTREME TIRE WEAR, TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, STEERING ASSIST, INABILITY TO ALIGN STEERING, WINDOWS ROLL DOWN FOR NO REASON AND WON'T ROLL BACK UP UNLESS YOU ROLL THEM ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THEN UP BUT THEY USUALLY JUST ROLL BACK DOWN HALF WAY AGAIN (IT'S A BATTLE!) WINDOWS SCRATCH JUS…

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I HAVE ISSUES WITH SURGING, AC SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, EXTREME TIRE WEAR, TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, STEERING ASSIST, INABILITY TO ALIGN STEERING, WINDOWS ROLL DOWN FOR NO REASON AND WON'T ROLL BACK UP UNLESS YOU ROLL THEM ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THEN UP BUT THEY USUALLY JUST ROLL BACK DOWN HALF WAY AGAIN (IT'S A BATTLE!) WINDOWS SCRATCH JUST FROM DUST SO THEY LOOK HAZY AND WINDSHIELDS COST ALMOST $2000 WITH ALL SAFETY CAMERA JUNK. ONLY ONE AIRCON VENT BLOWS COLD AIR WHILE ALL OTHERS JUST BLOW AIR. THIS CAR WAS A LEMON BEFORE 2018 ENDED. SUBARU REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEMS WHILE UNDER EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I TRIED TO FILE LEMON LAW AND LOST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SAVE MY COMPLAINT VISITS IN COMPUTER SYSTEM. IM CERTAIN THAT WAS INTENTIONAL SINCE THEY ARE THE LEMON KINGS! SUBARU IS A TERRIBLE COMPANY NOW AND I RECOMMEND YOU DON'T OWN ONE. THE SURGING IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THE CAR LITERALLY HOPS AND SOMETIMES YOU PUSH ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENS FOR WAY TOO LONG. DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. FIGHTING WITH WINDOWS WHILE DRIVING IS ALSO DANGEROUS. LED LIGHTS ARE THE WRONG COLOR SO IT'S HARD TO SEE MANY THINGS AT NIGHT. THE BATTERY IS JUNK OPEN TOP AND LEAKS ACID EVERYWHERE ROTTING OUT THE BATTERY TRAY. FOR $42,000 YOU WOULD EXPECT A MUCH BETTER CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11407791

80,000 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE THEN STEER THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OK, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE JERK THE WHEEL A LITTLE BIT TO THE RIGHT, THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE THEN STEER THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OK, THEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE JERK THE WHEEL A LITTLE BIT TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE BRUSHED A LITTLE OF THE GODRAIL AND RUN INTO CONES AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF WICHITA, 11610 E KELLOGG DR N, WICHITA, KS 67207, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A DRIVE THRU, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIRED FEES. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTION THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11383639

58,000 miles · Jan 8, 2020
Steering

I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A STEERING RACK FAILURE DUE TO LEAKING SEALS ON THE GEAR ASSEMBLY ON MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU STI. THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE BOTH IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND AT SLOW SPEEDS IN A PARKING LOT AND LOCAL STREETS. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY CO…

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I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A STEERING RACK FAILURE DUE TO LEAKING SEALS ON THE GEAR ASSEMBLY ON MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU STI. THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE BOTH IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND AT SLOW SPEEDS IN A PARKING LOT AND LOCAL STREETS. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SAFELY CONTROL AND CHANGE OF DIRECTION FOR THE VEHICLE. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND THAT OF MANY OTHERS I KNOW IN THE SUBARU COMMUNITY THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE POINT ON THE LAST TWO GENERATIONS OF THESE CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY SUBARU CONTINUES TO IGNORE THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PART FAILURE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #11297868

37,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND ALL THE WARNING INDI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU WRX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS FLASHED AND ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, "EYESIGHT" NOT AVAILABLE WAS DISPLAYED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HAND INJURIES, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #11205234

Official recalls

1

22V522000 · Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.