RoadVitals

2017 Subaru WRX Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
53
Latest May 6, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru WRX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical1420.0%
  • Engine1217.1%
  • Steering68.6%
  • Airbags45.7%
  • Driver assistance45.7%
  • Exterior lighting45.7%
  • Visibility45.7%
  • Suspension34.3%
  • Fuel system34.3%
  • Brakes22.9%
  • Other / unspecified11.4%
  • Body & structure11.4%
  • Interior & seats11.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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)

NHTSA ID 11651199 · filed Mar 27, 2025

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 ID 11630702 · filed Dec 14, 2024
All 14 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11735991 · filed May 6, 2026

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

NHTSA ID 11730211 · filed Apr 9, 2026
All 12 reports naming engine

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11730211 · filed Apr 9, 2026

Throw-Out bearing design defective flaw for 2015 2016 2017 2018 SUBARU WRX PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. Bearing has been making noises since before 10,000 miles and dealers fail to diagnose or repair under warranty. Searches on the internet show it is a common problem affecting hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles.

NHTSA ID 11486457 · filed Sep 26, 2022
All 11 reports naming powertrain (other)

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11630702 · filed Dec 14, 2024

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 ID 11561589 · filed Dec 22, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11698178 · filed Nov 7, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID 11697979 · filed Nov 6, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11730211 · filed Apr 9, 2026

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID 11581730 · filed Apr 8, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID 11619054 · filed Oct 10, 2024

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

NHTSA ID 11511429 · filed Mar 12, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11561589 · filed Dec 22, 2023

I WENT TO START MY CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THERE ISN'T A CHIP OR ANYTHING INDICATING THAT SOMETHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS A U SHAPED CRACK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF ANYTHING EVER HITTING AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD, IT SEEMS TO HAVE JUST CRACKED ON ITS OWN. CAR WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO THE CRACK APPEARING.

NHTSA ID 11387250 · filed Jan 8, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11407791 · filed Apr 12, 2021

DRIVER SEAT CUSHIONING HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT AS WELL AS THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE SEAT THAT IS SAT ON HAS DROPPED AND RESTING AND THE FRAME OF THE SEAT...VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HURTS MY BACK TO SIT IN THE SEAT. ALSO, SUSPENSION HAS BECOME VERY ROUGH OVER THE SMALLEST BUMPS. MILEAGE: 81,000

NHTSA ID 11221623 · filed Jun 21, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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)

NHTSA ID 11651199 · filed Mar 27, 2025

I have a 2017 Subaru WRX that stalls while driving (including at highway speeds) 2 to 3 times every day on my commute to work through the mountains. This has led the vehicle to skid sideways and lose control. When I looked into this problem, I found that Subaru has a recall on its fuel pumps for 2018 to 2020 Subaru WRX vehicles but somehow my VIN does not appear to be considered AN affected vehicle. This issue is life-threatening, and I believe the model years eligible for recall, must not have captured one year earlier model with presumably the same faulty fuel pump. I believe the recall needs to be expanded.

NHTSA ID 11500574 · filed Jan 7, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11205234 · filed May 2, 2019

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EMERGENCY BRAKE BROKE AND VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO STREET CAUSING ACCIDENT. HAVE VIDEO OF INCIDENT AND CAN HEAR BRAKE CABLE BREAKING.

NHTSA ID 11079919 · filed Mar 17, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY TIRE IS WORN OUT AFTER I PURCHASE A CAR FROM CARMAX

NHTSA ID 11387981 · filed Jan 14, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

3 YEARS OLD CAR. RUST ON WELD SPOT IN ENGINE BAY

NHTSA ID 11320685 · filed Apr 9, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SEAT CUSHIONING HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT AS WELL AS THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE SEAT THAT IS SAT ON HAS DROPPED AND RESTING AND THE FRAME OF THE SEAT...VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HURTS MY BACK TO SIT IN THE SEAT. ALSO, SUSPENSION HAS BECOME VERY ROUGH OVER THE SMALLEST BUMPS. MILEAGE: 81,000

NHTSA ID 11221623 · filed Jun 21, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .