Most common 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems
Share of the 94 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Crosstrek complaints by model year
Best Crosstrek years: 2014, 2015, 2022. Years to avoid: 2018, 2016, 2024, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →
2017 Subaru Crosstrek recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
What 2017 Subaru Crosstrek owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 25 →
While driving on the freeway in the afternoon of aug. 23, 2018 with very light traffic and in a rural area, I noticed a crack starting up from the bottom of the windshield in about the middle of the windshield. It quickly spread up several inches (approx. 9 inches) then made a 90 degree turn to the left in front of the driver and continued most of the way across that half of the windshield. There was no impact or any other reason for the crack to develop. This all happended within about 20-30 minutes. This happened in late August 2018. Several weeks later while driving on the freeway in heavy traffic I came up behind a large gravel truck and a piece of gravel hit the windshield exactly at the corner of the crack. This quickly spread horizontally to the right across most of the passenger's side of the windshield. This happened in late September or early October 2018. …
I am the owner of a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek that was subject to a faulty windshield resulting in replacement. The vehicle had developed a spontaneous crack from no apparent or obvious source other than normal conditions. Specifically, this crack developed overnight while sitting in the driveway not in motion and not exposed to damage causing debris. The next morning, an inconspicuous crack at only a few millimeters appeared. Over the course of the next few days, the crack had grown to tens of centimeters. The end result was an unsafe and hazardous windshield creating visibility issues and a risk of integrity failure. The windshield was replaced by the dealer at full cost not covered under warranty. This was not covered under recall and was paid for out of pocket. Attached is a copy of the invoice with costs for the windshield parts and labor.
Electrical system
My husband has trouble getting the key out when in park and turn off. Have to use the E-break every time we park because even in park the vehicle seems to get a mind of its own and start to roll. IT ROLLED ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR!! NOW my driver side window seems to roll all the way up but right back down with out me touching it. I have to fight the thing for 5mins to get it up! Windshield is cracked. We got it parked it no crack, went out in it and Crack, now I have to pay to get a new Windshield put in because every day just sitting there the Crack gets bigger. Why is there only 1 recall on this thing!?
The key gets stuck in the ignition. We have to turn the ignition to ACC or start the car then switch it back to OFF multiple times for it to release. We have not had the issue looked at yet. It's easily reproduceable. No other symptoms are present. Subaru issued a recall for this issue for vehicles with a CVT transmission but there are countless complaints of this happening to non-CVT transmission Subaru vehicles.
Transmission & drivetrain
On January 19, 2024 I was slowly pulling in to a parking spot at my doctors office. I did not pull up far enough, as there was a concrete retaining wall at the head of the spot and no tire block for safety. I was maybe 5 feet from the wall when I lightly tapped the gas pedal to inch up (as the back end of the car was sticking out into the passing lane). When I did so, the car slipped into rapid acceleration causing a full head on crash with the retaining wall. I had pressed the break pedal but the brakes did not have enough time to engage before the wall stopped my car. As a result, I had bumper damage, a crooked hood (due to bent hinge on the right side) and a cracked bracket above the light assembly. Thankfully I was not injured, but the repair was costly. I leased this car new in 2017, and am paying off end of lease buyout. …
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 transmission - TSB states original forks required "thicker nylon inserts" proving inadequate design - My VIN (HG269902) is before production change (LG225906), confirming defective pre-improvement design - Shift fork failure can cause sudden inability to shift gears while driving - significant safety hazard MAINTENANCE: Single owner, meticulously maintained with documented service at 20k, 39k, 52k, 58k miles. Never in accident. No abuse. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Subaru offered only $1,800 (18% coverage) and blamed my "driving habits" despite TSB proving design defect. …
2017 Subaru Crosstrek engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | AWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek a good car?
Based on 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Crosstrek rates avoid: 4.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Crosstrek at the same age. It is one of the Crosstrek years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 25 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the electrical system (17) and transmission & drivetrain (13).
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have?
There is 1 recall for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, the most recent from February 28, 2019 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Crosstrek?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2016, 2024, 2019 and 2017. See the full Subaru Crosstrek years comparison.
At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 78% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.