2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 97 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 14 Crosstrek model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 6 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 28, 2019
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 light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
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. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Service brakes, Mar 6, 2024, crash
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. I have been the only driver, and I bring my car for regular servicing. At this point I am afraid to drive it because I don't know when or where the next rapid acceleration will occur.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 16, 2023
Both of the front inner brake pads separated from the backing plate presenting a safety concern since the brake performance was compromised. The front outer brake pads did not separate from the backing plates. All four brake pads were installed by myself along with new rotors in November 2021 and have experienced about 30,000 miles of use. There is plenty of brake pad material remaining. I have experience installing brakes on multiple vehicles and the pads were functional until the pad/backing plate separation. I discovered the issue after hearing a grinding noise from the wheel well while driving. No warning lights were present and other symptoms were not immediately noticeable. The part is available for inspection upon request; however, I was planning on sending both of the defective brake pads to the manufacturer for a warranty claim. I can save one of the two pads for NHTSA inspection, if desired. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Service brakes, Aug 4, 2021
Outer left rear brake pad broke away from the backing plate causing damage to the brake rotor. The pads were original equipment and not worn out.
Service brakes, Oct 11, 2019
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. PREVIOUSLY, I HAD BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING, BUT HAD BEEN ABLE TO CATCH IT IN TIME BEFORE THE BATTERY DIED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, WHICH COULD BE REMEDIED BY ME TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER THE JUMP ON 10/3, THIS LOSS OF ACCELERATION HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CONTINUE MOVING. ON A FINAL NOTE, I REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THE EVENING OF 10/3 AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED EITHER PROBLEM SINCE.)
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Jun 18, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTRAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE DRIVER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE FEATURE( 'EYESIGHT') MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Service brakes, Jun 5, 2019
VEHICLE IS ONLY 2YRS OLD AND HAS ROUGHLY 6200 MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING AN AWFUL RUBBING/ GRINDING NOISE AND SMELLING LIKE THEY WERE BURNING. SUBARU DEALER IS OVER AN HOUR AWAY FROM HOME AND DIDN'T FEEL THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE THERE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR ROTARS AND SETS OF BRAKE PADS REPLACED. BURLINGTON SUBARU SAID TOO BAD CAN'T HELP YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD CAR TOWED TO US AND WE COULD HAVE MAYBE COVERED SOME OF IT UNDER WARRANTY. CAN'T HELP YOU NOW. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS WRONG AND BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE LIKE THE CAR, BUT IF THAT IS THE TYPE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE WE GET WHEN SUBARU BOASTS "PEACE OF MIND AND QUALITY PARTS" THEN WE DON'T HAVE TO STAY WITH SUBARU. HAVING OUR CAR TOWED WOULD HAVE BEEN $300 PLUS THE PARTS AND SERVICE AND A MAYBE WARRANTY COVERAGE WASN'T AN OPTION FOR MANY SAFETY AND MONETARY REASONS. WE FEEL IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO AT LEAST COVER THE COST OF PARTS THAT WE PAID. ATTACHED THE INVOICE. LABOR IS $75/HOUR AT OUR LOCAL GARAGE X 3 HOURS. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE PADS ARE A WEAR OUT ITEM BUT ROTARS SHOULD LAST A LOT LONGER THAN 6200 MILES!!! MECHANIC TOLD ME THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALMOST CORRODED ONTO ROTARS. LUCKILY CALIPERS ARE OKAY. NOT ONLY THAT, I RECENTLY FOUND ON LINE THAT OUR CROSSTREK HAS A RECALL THAT WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED ON. IT CAME OUT IN FEB 2019!
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Apr 6, 2018, crash
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND WHEN I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLY LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT AN ISSUE AND WAS SECURE. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD.