2017 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

73 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Subaru WRX, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 30/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 48,000 miles.

73Complaints
30/100Trouble index
1Recalls
37,000Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2017 sits among all WRX years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 18 complaints (25%) · typically ~48,000 miles
Engine 12 complaints (16%)
Transmission & drivetrain 11 complaints (15%) · typically ~42,422 miles
Steering 6 complaints (8%)
Visibility & wipers 4 complaints (5%)
Airbags 4 complaints (5%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 44 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 37,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 26,000 and 61,545 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22V522000 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…

Fix: 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…

Technical service bulletins

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

See the 2017 WRX TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

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

2018peak 13 in 20212026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2017 Subaru WRX reliable?

The 2017 Subaru WRX drew 73 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 30/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).

What are the most common 2017 Subaru WRX problems?

The top reported problems for the 2017 Subaru WRX are electrical (18 complaints), engine (12), and transmission & drivetrain (11).

At what mileage do 2017 Subaru WRX problems show up?

Owners most often report 2017 Subaru WRX problems around 37,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 26,000 and 61,545 miles.

Does the 2017 Subaru WRX have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2017 Subaru WRX. 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.