2017 Subaru Crosstrek Problems, Recalls & Reliability

138 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 48/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Other leads the reports, typically around 23,000 miles.

138Complaints
48/100Trouble index
1Recalls
26,000Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2017 sits among all Crosstrek years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Other 35 complaints (25%) · typically ~23,000 miles
“Can't remove ignition key. After parking, i place the car in park, and try to remove the key. It gets stuck and won't come out. There is a technical bulleting about "shift selecter mechanism" but car owners have to pay get this fixed. It should be a recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Crosstrek
Visibility & wipers 26 complaints (19%) · typically ~26,900 miles
“A random crack appeared on my windshield without anything hitting the windshield or anything damaging it. The vehicle was parked in a parking garage when i noticed it and was not moving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Crosstrek
Electrical 21 complaints (15%) · typically ~36,300 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 13 complaints (9%)
Engine 12 complaints (9%)
Brakes & stability 7 complaints (5%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 87 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 26,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 17,000 and 48,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 19V149000 2019

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…

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…

Technical service bulletins

332 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2017 Crosstrek TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2017peak 46 in 20202025

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek drew 138 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 48/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).

What are the most common 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems?

The top reported problems for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek are other (35 complaints), visibility & wipers (26), and electrical (21).

At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems show up?

Owners most often report 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems around 26,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 17,000 and 48,000 miles.

Does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.