Reliable Auto DB

2017 Subaru Crosstrek reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has 97 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 11 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Crosstrek years here — under the median of the other years, which is 20. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Switch.

2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Photo by Alexander-93, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

97

Per year

11

Recalls

1

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (23 of 97), then Electrical system (18) and Powertrain (13). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Crosstrek has 131 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2018 has 194 complaints, 33 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall exterior lighting, brake lights, switch 2019-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 19V149000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (97 total)

Visibility and wipers
23
Electrical system
18
Powertrain
13
Engine
12
Service brakes
6
Steering
5
Speed control
4
Wheels
4
Air bags
3
Exterior lighting
3
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Visibility
3
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
1
Equipment
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Lane departure
1
Seats
1
Structure
1
Suspension
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420175201824201933202013202172022520233202432025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-10-22
  • "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…"
    Speed control · filed 2025-09-30
  • "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…"
    chest clip, buckle, and harness · filed 2025-08-02
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Service brakes · filed 2024-03-06
  • "There is a battery draining problem. I have had to replace the battery 3 times in a two-year period."
    Engine · filed 2024-02-08

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Crosstrek all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (AV-S6) All-wheel drive 26 33 29 MPG $2250
Crosstrek all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed All-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2016–2022
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) , 5.1 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17, 225/55R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,700 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 19V404000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek vehicles. The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials.". Improperly tempered glass can shatter into large pieces, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side rear-door window glass, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUG-92. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Subaru Crosstrek Next year 2018 Subaru Crosstrek See every Subaru Crosstrek model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has 97 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 11 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Crosstrek years here — under the median of the other years, which is 20. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Switch.

What are common problems with a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (23 of 97), then Electrical system (18) and Powertrain (13). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Crosstrek has 131 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2018 has 194 complaints, 33 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?

The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?

Owners have filed 97 complaints about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek is 27.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Subaru Crosstrek use?

Recent US Crosstrek manuals specify 0W-20 synthetic for the FB 2.5L, with temporary 5W-30 only when 0W-20 is unavailable.

What generation is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

2nd generation (2023-on) on this site's Crosstrek record.

What tire sizes does a Subaru Crosstrek use?

Common US sizes include 225/60R17 and 225/55R18 depending on trim.