Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2017 Subaru WRX Electrical system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
26%of 53 total for the year
Median mileage
37,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Subaru WRX, 26% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Driving and on a turn between 35-40 MPH my WRX freaked out. The dash light up like a christmas tree, the lane tracking along with the adaptive cruise control indicators flashed, and the dash said eyesight unavailable. It felt like I couldn't control the car and almost felt as if it accelerated on its own. I hit the breaks and the lost control of the vehicle and ended up in a ditch. The front of the car ran through brush and ended in front of a tree. The airbags deployed on the side but were delayed on the passenger side until the car stopped. My fiance was in the passenger seat. …”

NHTSA complaint #11205226, filed 2019-05, 37,000 miles

“Battery drained very quickly. Leaving car undriven for 5 days would result in dead battery. Took into dealership dec 2019 and they tested the battery, and found that battery was bad!and replaced the battery.”

NHTSA complaint #11416644, filed 2021-05, 34,000 miles

“Subwoofer and amp overheated during normal use causing wires to burn and melt causing a significant fire safety issue. This is seemingly similar to the issues that lead to a 2017 recall of almost 10,000 2015 model year wrxs”

NHTSA complaint #11099222, filed 2018-06, 20,000 miles

“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. This was a lie and incorrect. …”

NHTSA complaint #11424689, filed 2021-07

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022312%
2021215%
2020633%
20191447%
20181023%
20171426%
20161032%
2015612%
200812%
200312%
200231%

Other parts of the 2017 Subaru WRX

Engine
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Subaru WRX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology