2017 Subaru WRX Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2017 Subaru WRX most often describe clutch and throw-out bearing failures on manual cars, including rattling or grinding noise and clutches that burned out or slipped. Steering assist loss, battery drain, stalling at low speed, and sudden engine failure also appear in complaints, and some stall reports mention the CVT. Reported mileage varies widely, and the complaint trend for this model year is described as falling.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch and throw-out bearing failures on manuals

   • 15 complaints (28%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners describe clutches that burned out early or slipped, with engine speed rising but road speed not keeping pace. Some describe a rattling or grinding noise when pressing the clutch or shifting, and say the throw-out bearing was replaced more than once. Some say the dealer blamed driver error or declined warranty repairs, and another asks for a broader recall. Reported mileage ranges from about 13,000 to 70,000 miles, and often falls between about 30,000 and 40,000 miles.

   What to check: On a manual car, ask whether the throw-out bearing or clutch has been replaced and request the repair records, including any warranty decisions. On a test drive, press the clutch and shift through the gears to listen for rattling or grinding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway. I had the car in 6th grade. All of a sudden the dash display tells me I'm in 4th gear instead of 6th, and I didn't even touch anything. Then the tacometer started bouncing around and when I pushed the gas peddle, it sounded and felt like it was out of gear. All of a sudden smoke came pouring out from under the hood and into the car. So I pulled over immediately. Had a tow truck come get my car, and the clutch is fried! Unknown what caused the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11298594, filed 2020-01, 70,000 miles

   “Bought the car and extended warranty from dealer used with 33k miles 11/21/19 a couple months after purchase I was getting onto the freeway after work (6am) and the rpms were going up but my speed was not. Car had 38k miles. I personally only had 4k miles since ownership and I wouldn't think the clutch was shot due being a regular manual driver. I use the vehicle to commute about 40-50 miles daily. 3/4/20 was the day I took it into the dealership. Dealer did nothing to help financially. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11398136, filed 2021-02, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering seizes or power steering assist cuts out

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the steering becoming very hard to turn or seizing while driving, and some report the power steering warning light came on. Other reports describe power steering failing to assist on the highway and at low speeds, and a complaint links the failure to leaking seals in the gear assembly. Some reports describe crashes into a ditch, curb, or barrier after steering stopped responding, and another describes steering control lost after the engine stopped. Reported mileage ranges from about 25,000 to 80,000 miles, and reports describe the loss at speeds from parking-lot pace to highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering rack and power steering system were inspected and whether any warning-light codes were recorded. On a test drive, turn the wheel at low and moderate speeds to check for stiffness or a warning light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently experienced a steering rack failure due to leaking seals on the gear assembly on my certified pre-owned 2017 Subaru sti. The power steering failed to operate both in motion on the highway and at slow speeds in a parking lot and local streets. The loss of power steering assist makes it extremely difficult to safely control and change of direction for the vehicle. Based on my experience and that of many others I know in the Subaru community this is a common failure point on the last two generations of these cars. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11297868, filed 2020-01, 58,000 miles

   “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 …”

   NHTSA complaint #11730211, filed 2026-04
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls or idles hard, then shuts off

   • 8 complaints (15%)
   • median 26,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the engine idling roughly and then dying at stoplights or while coming to a stop, and a report says the dealer described this as normal operation. Other reports describe stalls while driving, including at highway speed, and a report links the stalls to carbon build-up on direct-injection valves. Where mileage is given, it ranges from about 15,000 to 26,000 miles, and some reports describe stalling at stoplights.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether a service bulletin on removing carbon deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves was carried out, since it covers that part of the engine. On a test drive, check for rough idle at a stop and whether the engine shuts off when coming to a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had the car multiple times idle hard then die both when stopped at stoplights and when coming to a stop. This is the CVT not the manual and I have contacted the dealer the first time it happened and they said this is normal operation which I don't think the car dying when I come to a stop is normal operation .”

   NHTSA complaint #11123348, filed 2018-08, 15,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11500574, filed 2023-01
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Battery drains or dies, car will not start

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 34,000 mi at 3.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2022

   Owners describe a battery that drains when the car sits for a few days, followed by a no-start that needed a jump start. Some report batteries replaced more than once, including at the dealer, and a report says the battery weakened over a few starts before it failed. A dealer reportedly said the battery was fine and suspected a loose negative terminal, which the owner disputes. Where mileage is given, it is about 34,000 miles, and some reports describe a dead battery after a few days of sitting unused.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the battery and parasitic draw were tested, since a service bulletin describes a diagnosis for battery drain with the ignition off. Ask for records of any battery replacements and jump starts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2017 model year Subaru and I've gone through 2 batteries and about to get a third one which seems like a lot considering how many other cars I've seen not get their battery replaced once and older in year than my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11461131, filed 2022-04

   “I had parked my car in front of my house and did not use it for 2 days. When I went to drive the car, it with not turn on. I had to call AAA to jump the car and I let it run for 30 minutes then drive it for the next 30 minutes. I parked the car again and 6 hours later went to go out and it would not start again. Called AAA again and had them come jump start the car. Both AAA mechanics said this is a problematic battery. I went to my Subaru dealer in Rye, NY and they said my battery is fine and I had a loose negative terminal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11424689, filed 2021-07
5. 5
   Engine

   Sudden engine failure while driving

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 61,545 mi at 3.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the engine failing suddenly on the highway or while idling at a stop, sometimes after knocking or tapping noises. Reports describe rod bearing or ringland damage found on inspection, and a report says the engine needed a new block and pistons. In a report the dealer suggested low oil, while the owner points to regular oil changes, and another says a warranty claim was denied. Where mileage is given, it is about 57,000 to 62,000 miles, and some reports describe failure on the highway or at a stoplight.

   What to check: Ask for the full inspection and oil change history, including any oil-level or oil-pressure warnings. A pre-purchase inspection that checks oil level and listens for knocking or tapping at idle can help identify the noises described.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 57000 miles I was driving the car and heard a knocking noise almost making the car sound like a diesel engine. I towed the car to the dealership. It was diagnosed that the ringland went bad making the engine knock.”

   NHTSA complaint #11325713, filed 2020-05, 57,000 miles

   “Pampered 2017 Subaru WRX, auto transmission, 61,545 highway miles and proof of oil changes between 5,000 and 7,000 miles, synthetic 5-30. Car idling at stop light when tapping noise started and then oil light lite up but quickly went out. Pulled over to check oil and found oil level mid level in safe zone. Engine didn't burn or leak oil between oil changes. Giles Subaru in lafayette la said the engine must have been run low on oil. They believe it started with the #2 rod bearing going out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11289030, filed 2019-12, 61,545 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to ask whether a manual car has had repeated clutch or throw-out bearing repairs, and whether the steering and stalling concerns were checked. For cars with repeated battery replacements, asking whether the battery was tested for drain can help.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 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.