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2017 Subaru WRX problems

The most common problem on the 2017 Subaru WRX is electrical system, typically around 37,000 miles. It has 2.1 times the complaints of a typical WRX model year.

Year to avoid2.1x the typical complaints
Year score
38/100
Owner complaints
53
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
398
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19-23mpg

The worst 2017 Subaru WRX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    14
  • Engine
    12
  • Transmission
    11
  • Steering
    6
  • Airbags
    4
  • Lights
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: back up lights: switchReported July 21, 2022 · 59,934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 22V522000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2017 Subaru WRX

Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Subaru WRX 398

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 398 bulletins for the 2017 Subaru WRX

2017 Subaru WRX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylAWD18-2024-2721-23
2.5L 4‑cylAWD172319

What 2017 Subaru WRX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine · NY

Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a much different story.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · OR

Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was checked and maintenance at the dealer less then a week prior for a small misfire then was dismissed due to car all the sudden running fine so I drove it 100 miles then it died and almost killed me due to the sudden lockup 2017 Subaru wrx WITH THE FA20 DIT Also worth mentioning cars 100% factory stock Car wasn’t terribly damaged, although I was very shaken up from sudden failure into a ditch

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Airbags · WI · crash · 1 injury

Hit a deer. Airbags did not deploy, however I have reasonable suspicion to believe my head hit the A pillar during impact.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Airbags · WI · crash · 1 injury

Going about 55mph, I struck a deer head on. It struck towards the center, but more so on the passenger side. During the impact, no airbags deployed, however, based off IIHS videos, it seems likely that they should have. Additionally, I have reasonable suspicion to believe I hit my head on the pillar of the door, which would have been unlikely if the airbags deployed.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY · fire

Likely secondary air injection pump and/or its related relays, CEL P2444 came on 3 separate times. November 2024, brought it in to get replaced under warranty, came on again the day after picking her up in December 2024 due to faulty pump, didn’t get to bring her back in until March 1st 2025, fixed part again, brought her home [XXX]. Car engulfed in flames 10 days later on [XXX]. I do have the car’s ECU available for scan to check for previous codes. I could have been killed in a car fire, the building my car was in front of could have been turned to ash. No, the problem has not been reproduced, the car is totaled and in a pile of ash. Yes, the vehicle was inspected by police and fire force after the incident. The CEL light had come back on that morning. 9:11 am, came on, parked at 9:28am, car was on fire by 9:52am. I was parked and in an appointment when the cops came in in order to evacuate us because my car was in flames. Please contact Romano Subaru for information on my car, I do not have all of the paperwork available to me, but all of the work was done through that dealership. 315‑475‑7933 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 14, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CT

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)

Filed Oct 10, 2024 · Lights · 70,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that while reversing, the backup lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that he had to pay the labor cost to have the recall repair performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2024 · Driver assistance · 118,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while reversing, the reverse back up switch was activated; however, the reverse lights and the back over prevention camera feature failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the reverse switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · KS · crash · fire

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.

Filed Mar 12, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · UT

Reverse lights won’t go on, and rear camera won’t turn on in reverse. While in reverse it says I’m in first.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2017 Subaru WRX before you buy

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Questions about the 2017 Subaru WRX

Is the 2017 Subaru WRX reliable?

Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2017 Subaru WRX, 2.1 times a typical WRX model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2017 Subaru WRX year score?

The 2017 Subaru WRX scores 38 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru WRX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru WRX?

Electrical system, with 14 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles. Next is engine (12).

How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru WRX have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru WRX get?

Official estimates for the 2017 Subaru WRX range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, AWD) gets 18-20 city and 24-27 highway.

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