2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems and complaints

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The most-reported areas: Unknown Or Other (33), Visibility/Wiper (23), Electrical System (18).

Key takeaways

  • 97 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 6 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 5 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Unknown Or Other3334%
Visibility/Wiper2324%
Electrical System1819%
Power Train1313%
Engine1212%
Service Brakes77%
Steering55%
Vehicle Speed Control44%
Wheels44%
Fuel/Propulsion System33%
Exterior Lighting33%
Air Bags33%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2017 Subaru Crosstrek SW AWD5/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train - filed 2025-10-22

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 trans...

Vehicle Speed Control - filed 2025-09-30

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 ca...

Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness - filed 2025-08-02

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; ...

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More for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.