2017 Subaru Crosstrek Problems
Compared with other Subaru Crosstrek years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Subaru Crosstrek year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 30 of its 94 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported problem: Windshield cracks without an apparent impact (24 complaints, median 26,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2016
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 94filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 27,800miles, 59 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl AWD · 26 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owner complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: windshields that crack without any visible impact, and an ignition key that cannot be pulled out when the car is in Park. Most of these arrive between roughly 15,000 and 55,000 miles, and both the windshield and key complaints are typically described as happening while the car is parked or just after shutdown rather than during driving.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks without an apparent impact
- 24 complaints (26%)
- median 26,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (17 state mileage)
- filed 2019–2022
Owners describe finding a crack in the windshield with no chip, rock strike, or other visible damage, often after the car sat parked overnight or in a lot. Several say the crack started along the lower or top edge and spread over hours or days, sometimes after the defroster or heater was switched on. Complaints mention that dealers photographed the glass but did not cover replacement under warranty. Usually reported between roughly 12,000 and 50,000 miles, frequently on a parked vehicle and in both hot and cold weather.
What to check: Inspect the glass closely for edge chips, old repair marks, or hairline cracks along the lower and upper borders, and ask whether the windshield has been replaced already.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My windshield had several cracks, that should not have been able to be produced so easily. Within a couple of weeks of owning my 2017 Crosstrek, a pebble hit my windshield at a rather low force and cracked the windshield. Then the crack traveled all the way down. Then another crack mysteriously appeared in a different spot. I have never experienced a windshield so weak. I had to have it replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11310864, filed 2020-02, 40,000 miles“The windshield on my 2017 Crosstrek chips too easy. I have never had chips on any other vehicles windshield. The glass must be too soft. This has happened to my Crosstrek a few times while in motion. My transmission feels like it sometimes slips, and shudders while the vehicle is in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #11271679, filed 2019-10, 20,000 miles - Electrical system
Key stuck in ignition when parked
- 23 complaints (24%)
- median 40,000 mi at 3.3 yrs old (16 state mileage)
- filed 2018–2022
Owners report that after shifting into Park and switching the engine off, the key will not turn fully to the release position or come out. The workaround described is to restart the car, cycle the shifter through Drive or Neutral and back into Park, sometimes repeatedly. Some complaints say the dealer could not reproduce the problem or quoted an out-of-pocket charge for a shifter or park-range switch repair. Most commonly reported between about 6,000 and 55,000 miles, occurring intermittently at shutdown and becoming more frequent over time.
What to check: When test driving, park the car and try removing the key several times; ask whether the shifter assembly or park-range switch has ever been replaced or adjusted.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My key started to get stuck, I need to start my car, put it in drive back in park repeatedly until it comes out. 30,000 miles on a car and I can’t just have it fixed when there is a TSB on a know issue. To do this cycle of on and off 1-9 times on a 2 yr old vehicle is ridiculous,this happens 50% of the time I try to shut my car off and getting worse, please do a recall”
NHTSA complaint #11229883, filed 2019-07, 30,000 miles“The key got stuck in the steering column. I could not remove it until I viewed a youtube video that explained how to start the car and move the shifter forward and then reverse again. Others have had very similar problems with their Subaru vehicles. The vehicle was stationary at the time.”
NHTSA complaint #11342750, filed 2020-08, 49,000 miles - Engine
Stalling or loss of power while driving
- 10 complaints (11%)
- median 15,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2018–2022
Complaints describe the engine cutting out or the throttle going unresponsive — at a stoplight, at low speed, or at highway speed — with the engine sometimes still running. In several cases the dealer could not find a cause, and one owner notes a later recall for loss of power did not cover their vehicle. A few reports link the stall to the car restarting on its own after a few seconds. Spread from very low mileage up to about 36,000 miles, with some described as random and others after 20-30 minutes of driving.
What to check: Ask for any stored engine or transmission fault codes and service history; note whether the car has ever stalled or lost throttle response during a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Car stalls randomly upon acceleration from a stoplight or stop sign. Takes 3 to 4 seconds til the car accelerates. During all this time the engine is still running. Has happened 4 times within the past year. Afraid this may cause an accident, as yesterday I thought I was going to get t-boned. Will not drive my grandsons in this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11279186, filed 2019-11, 7,591 miles“My wife was driving on the freeway going 45mph in a straight line when the vehicle suddenly lost all power and turned off. As a result my wife was rear ended but suffered no major physical injury. We brought the car to the manufacturer and they inspected it. However, they were not able to find any problems with the vehicle. A few months after the accident, there was a recall for this vehicle make and model for sudden loss of power but my VIN is not included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11329289, filed 2020-06, 15,000 miles - Electrical system
Battery drains and no-start after sitting
- 7 complaints (7%)
- median 20,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2019–2024
Owners describe coming back to a car that will not start after sitting a few days, needing a jump start or roadside assistance, sometimes repeatedly after a new battery was installed. A few complaints tie the drain to brake lights staying lit while the car was parked and off. Dealers in these reports often said no fault was found or pointed to the alternator. Reported from roughly 15,000 to 50,000 miles, typically after the vehicle sat unused for several days.
Recall 19V1490001 related service bulletin
What to check: Ask whether the battery has been replaced and have the charging system and parasitic draw checked; after parking, confirm the brake lights are not staying on.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On three occasions in the last 2 months, the battery died and the car would not start. I called service and the car was jump started. Three days later I had the same issue. I brought the car to my dealer and was told there was nothing wrong. Since that time, I have had to start my car every day, or jump start if the car sits for three days. Luckily, the car is parked on my driveway.”
NHTSA complaint #11324797, filed 2020-05, 17,000 miles“My brake lights came on while the car was parked and turned off. When I returned to the vehicle after work, the battery was almost completely discharged. I was able to call for roadside assistance through Subaru and received a jump start. (the same thing happened while I was backpacking the weekend of 9/21-9/22, but the battery was completely discharged. Another one of the members of our scout troop was able to give me a jump start. …”
NHTSA complaint #11267937, filed 2019-10, 15,000 miles
Buying note. These are mostly drivability and glass complaints rather than a single systemic fault, so a careful pre-purchase inspection matters more than the badge: check the windshield for cracks, cycle the ignition key several times, and have the battery, charging system and CVT behavior checked before buying.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 94 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. 59 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,800 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 336 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 8 Subaru Crosstrek model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown34 36%
- Electrical system17 18%
- Engine10 11%
- Brakes6 6.4%
- Steering5 5.3%
- Wheels4 4.3%
- Air bags3 3.2%
- Exterior lighting3 3.2%
Also reported: Fuel system (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Equipment (1), Lane departure (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “My key started to get stuck about a month ago, I need to start my car, put it in drive back in park repeatedly until it comes out. I have taken it to the dealer and they say they need to replicate the situation. 18000 miles on a car and I can't just have it fixed when there is a TSB on a know issue. I do t have time when going to work to do this cycle of on and off 1-9 times on a 2 yr old vehicle, please do a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11204826, filed 2019-04, 18,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Was driving on city street with fairly high traffic. Very heavy rain and humidity. I turned on defogger and the windshield got increasingly more fogged up. The defogger did not clear the windshield. I had to drive at 20 mpg to avoid a collision. I brought the car to the dealership and was told nothing was wrong with the defogger. The car is two weeks old.”
NHTSA complaint #11124459, filed 2018-09, 200 milesElectrical system: “When I put my 2017 Subaru Crosstrek in park, I can not take my keys out of the ignition. They are locked in. I have to put my foot back on the brake, put the car in neutral, then slam it into park again, and even then it doesnt allow the keys to turn all the way to pull them out. I have to do this several times, before the sensor realizes the car is in park and I can take my keys out. This has been happening on and off for a couple months, and is not at the point where it is happening every single time I go to turn the car off.”
NHTSA complaint #11319895, filed 2020-03, 52,700 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I was operating my 2017 Subaru Crosstrek on union st in braintree ma. I stopped at a red light. The light turned green. I then depressed the gas pedal. I heard a bang and the vehicle started to roll back. The transmission had ceased to operate. I luckily was able to navigate to the curb backwards. The transmission did go into park but would not operate otherwise. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership,clay Subaru, norwood ma. They later informed me that the transmission control module had blown. That along with some other electrical wiring needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373791, filed 2020-11, 118,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 59 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 49,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek · wagon AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 15.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Subaru Crosstrek version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Crosstrek AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Subaru Crosstrek 2013–2017, Impreza 2008–2016, WRX 2008–2014 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 336 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026Electrical system. This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Electrical system. Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
Other model years of the Subaru Crosstrek
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | — | 1 | — | 29 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 46 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 120 | 10,100 | 2 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 35 | 16,500 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 34 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 31 | 34,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 15 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 115 | 2,460 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 93 · More | Stable |
| 2020 | 71 | 5,200 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 64 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 285 | 10,542 | 7 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 195 | 18,000 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 94 | 27,800 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 132 | 37,620 | 1 | 5 | — | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 17 | 50,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 16 | 60,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2013 | 26 | 68,050 | 1 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
All Subaru Crosstrek model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
Owner complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: windshields that crack without any visible impact, and an ignition key that cannot be pulled out when the car is in Park. The issues reported most often: Windshield cracks without an apparent impact; Key stuck in ignition when parked; Stalling or loss of power while driving.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have?
NHTSA recorded 94 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 34 complaints (36% of the total), followed by visibility with 25.
Has the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek (Crosstrek AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek reported?
Among the 59 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,800 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 49,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.