2017 Subaru WRX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 21%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,422miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Subaru WRX, 21% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,422 miles.
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.
“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. Called soa and they told me they would help partially pay for the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11398136, filed 2021-02, 58,000 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. I've been a mechanic for the last 38 years, I check oil levels often. Short block replacement was $9,957. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289030, filed 2019-12, 61,545 miles“Started having a rattling noise while depressing the clutch in first and second gear. Took it in to the shop and they said throw out bearing went bad. Had it replaced in 5/12/2019. Same issue recurred a few months later. Took it in and they said it needed replacing again. Second repair was on 11/19/2019”
NHTSA complaint #11416645, filed 2021-05, 32,000 miles“Throw out bearing gave out twice at within few thousand miles in less than 1 year. Vehicle was less than 36,000 miles. Dealership repaired it twice. Symptom was rattling noise that resolved when clutch pedal was being pressed. Rattling noise present in gear and in neutral.”
NHTSA complaint #11315356, filed 2020-03, 34,450 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017444Apr 22, 2025This bulletin announces design changes made to the rear axle hubs. These changes have been implemented to reduce cases water intrusion further leading to harmonic, humming, and…
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 11000817May 13, 2024This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10241822Aug 14, 2023This bulletin announces a design change to the CVT select lever (shifter) mechanism in response to isolated customer concerns of not being able to remove the key from the…
- 10237271May 11, 2023This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10232240Feb 28, 2023This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 21% |
| 2023 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 4 | 16% |
| 2021 | 6 | 46% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 21% |
| 2016 | 4 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 35% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 86% |
| 2009 | 33 | 80% |
| 2008 | 48 | 74% |
| 2006 | 4 | 29% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru WRX
14 complaintsEngine
12 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 30, 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