2017 Subaru Crosstrek Safety Report
2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (97) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 8 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek with 28 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Crosstrek Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Crosstrek years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 192 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Subaru Crosstrek | 131 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 274 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Subaru Crosstrek | 64 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Subaru Crosstrek | 100 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 28 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Subaru Crosstrek Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyElectrical System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyPower Train
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Subaru onlyExterior Lighting
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Subaru onlyService Brakes
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability Score
The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature Shift Fork Failure Manual transmission in 2017 Subaru Crosstrek can fail prematurely, requiring a complete transmission replacement. |
Medium | Rare | 62,521 miles miles |
| Battery Draining Problem Battery replacement is needed multiple times within a short period. |
High | Common | 2 years miles |
| Wheel Bearing Issues Wheel bearings often fail after 40,000 miles, leading to frequent replacements. |
Medium | Common | 40,000+ miles miles |
| Steering Wheel Stiffness Steering wheel can become stiff, affecting power steering performance. |
Medium | Common | 20,000 miles miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek:
Issues with brake lights switch have been reported.
Frequent reports of electrical system problems.
Power train issues are common, including transmission failures.
Service brake issues have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 forks required "thicker nylon inserts" proving ...
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 who had just walked in back of my car to enter the ...
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 seriously injured had we gotten into a collision on...
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 lane). When I did so, the car slipped into rapid ac...
There is a battery draining problem. I have had to replace the battery 3 times in a two-year period.
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.
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.
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 VERY large number of related customer issues - gl...
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 plenty of brake pad material remaining. I have ex...
- 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 posts from subaru owners, which has been shared with ...
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while pulling out of her driveway, the steering wheel became stiff, and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not ...
12042022 - not sure of cause, could be multiple as all systems just shut down for seconds, the car goes dead while driving down I235 at 70mph, first the radio turns off, then the car seemed to go to lower gear rpm to zero and just shut off at a high speed, NO POWER on anything, then about 2.5 seconds later it restated and continued, sputtered off again then powered back off and on again as i got o...
I drove my car to work one morning (7 min drive through a city; no highways) and there was no crack in the windshield. I came out of work 8 hours later to go home, and there was a crack over 6 inches long in the windshield. There are no markings suggesting anything hit the windshield, only long smooth cracks.
My husband has trouble getting the key out when in park and turn off. Have to use the E-break every time we park because even in park the vehicle seems to get a mind of its own and start to roll. IT ROLLED ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR!! NOW my driver side window seems to roll all the way up but right back down with out me touching it. I have to fight the thing for 5mins to ge...
Dome light goes has gone on automatically several times. Twice drained my battery. Never use dome light because I do not drive at night and have never turned it on myself.
Out of no where the window chipped and then cracked later that day
The key gets stuck in the ignition. We have to turn the ignition to ACC or start the car then switch it back to OFF multiple times for it to release. We have not had the issue looked at yet. It's easily reproduceable. No other symptoms are present. Subaru issued a recall for this issue for vehicles with a CVT transmission but there are countless complaints of this happening to non-CVT transmission...
Windshield cracked out of nowhere resulting in an ~8" damage
Ignition/starting I have issues w starting car on more than one occasion and I have also had problems with removing the key. It almost is in a key lock mode. I will then turn off and on until it will allow me to remove but sometimes it hasn’t started. Stabilizer light came on a few times then shut off on own.
Upon accelerating, the engine seems to bog down and I lose speed. It has happened under many conditions—after turning a corner, going down a straightaway, and when accelerating to merge on a highway. This puts people in the car at risk and others traveling behind me. I took it to the dealer and they said that since they could not replicate it, there was nothing they could do. No warning lights...
Showing 20 of 97 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Has the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
The 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 97 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK involve visibility/wiper (21 complaints), unknown or other (17 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints). Other affected components include power train, exterior lighting, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK out of 97 total complaints (6.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK out of 97 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK is acceptable with caveats. It has 97 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (21 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (17 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (4 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 21 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Be aware of potential electrical and transmission issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK has 97 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
The 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK receives a reliability score of 65/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 97 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 8 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Premature shift fork failure and Battery draining problem.
What are the known issues with the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK?
Known issues with the 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK include: Premature shift fork failure, Battery draining problem, Wheel bearing issues, Steering wheel stiffness. These are based on patterns found across 97 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
Common issues include electrical system problems, transmission failures, and exterior lighting issues.
Is the battery draining problem serious?
Yes, frequent battery replacement is needed, indicating a serious issue.
Can the steering wheel become stiff in the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
Yes, the steering wheel can become stiff, affecting power steering performance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical and transmission issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Subaru Crosstrek
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The data includes 97 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16