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
97 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2021
On Sunday, 5/9, my wife and I were traveling back from NY to Philadelphia when out of nowhere, my car stopped accelerating and stalled, completely, in the left lane on the Staten Island Expressway. I called 911 and they were able to dispatch a tow, immediately. The battery worked. The dashboard said to check the engine. Luckily, the tow arrived in about 5-10 minutes. The driver escorted us out to his truck and protected us from oncoming traffic. We were brought to a safe location and were able to start the car (and it kept running), without any assistance. We were too afraid to continue the ride back to Philadelphia (lots more distance and highways to go). We called AAA to tow the vehicle to my Subaru dealership in PA. This has never happened before. One strange thing that has been happening over the last few months is that sometimes our key will get stuck in the ignition when we try to turn the car off. We are able to turn off the battery, but are unable to turn the key further. We have to try several times or even put the car in drive and then park before trying to turn it off again. I am not sure if this is connected. The service at my dealership has been very nice. They’ve had my car for over a week. Unfortunately, they haven’t found anything wrong. They’ve checked for codes and nothing’s come up to indicate any issues. I am really at a loss because I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. I did see that there is a new recall (https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/subaru-recalls-crosstrek-forester-impreza-for-safety-concerns/) but it does not include my particular year. I wonder if this problem actually involves 2017 Crosstreks. I do not feel safe driving my car.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2021
I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100 MINUTES TO CENTRAL ILLINOIS ON A 80 DEGREE AND SUNNY AFTERNOON. I PARKED MY CAR ON THE STREET AND WHEN I RETURNED TO IT 45 MINUTES LATER, THERE WAS A 12INCH CRACK ON MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO APPARENT POINT OF CONTACT IN THE CRACK AND THERE WERE NO LARGE STICKS OR BRANCHES ON THE CAR. IT APPEARED AS IF THE CRACK HAPPENED ON ITS OWN. I GOT THE CRACK REPAIRED RECENTLY AND IT COST OVER $1,000 TO FIX.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAS HORIZONTAL CRACK MIDWAY DOWN WINDOW THAT EXTENDS ALMOST FROM LEFT TO RIGHT EDGE. CAR WAS PARKED IN PRIVATE DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. STARTED OUT ALONG BOTTOM ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND EXPANDED UP AND ACROSS DRIVER'S SIDE. FROM WHAT I COULD TELL, NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD TO INITIATE THE CRACK. HAD TO GET REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
READ WINDSHIELD GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WITH NO DAMAGE. HAD TO GET SERVICE TO REPAIR AND REPLACE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, PARKED AND NOT IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE BREAK.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
I HAVE AN 'L' SHAPED CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 6"X6". THE WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A SMALL CHIP FROM A ROCK STRIKE AND BEFORE I COULD GET THE SUPERFICIAL CHIP FIXED IT TURNED INTO A VERY LARGE 'L' SHAPED CRACK. THE ROCK STRIKE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT THE SUBSEQUENT CRACK OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WHEN THE WINDOW CRACKED AND OTHER THAN IT BEING A SUMMER DAY THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING UP TO THE CRACKING WINDSHIELD WERE NORMAL. THE PICTURE PROVIDED WITH THIS COMPLAINT SHOWS THE CRACK. I TRIED TO OUTLINE THE CRACKED AREA WITH YELLOW TO MAKE IT MORE EVIDENT. THE OTHER LINES IN THE PHOTO ARE A REFLECTION OF THE OVERHANGING POWERLINES.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 31, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DURING THE SUMMER FOR NO APPARENT REASON, NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF CHIP IN WINDSHIELD SURFACE. CRACK STARTS UPPER MIDDLE EDGE OF GLASS, DOWN PASSED REARVIEW MIRROR, THEN HALF WAY ACROSS PASSENGER SIDE, ABOUT 1/3 WAY DOWN FROM TOP. WE ARE GETTING IT REPLACED NOW.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING FOR NO CERTAIN REASON.
Power train, Nov 9, 2020
I WAS OPERATING MY 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK ON UNION ST IN BRAINTREE MA. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I THEN DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. I HEARD A BANG AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACK. THE TRANSMISSION HAD CEASED TO OPERATE. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE CURB BACKWARDS. THE TRANSMISSION DID GO INTO PARK BUT WOULD NOT OPERATE OTHERWISE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP,CLAY SUBARU, NORWOOD MA. THEY LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD BLOWN. THAT ALONG WITH SOME OTHER ELECTRICAL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BUT THEY SAID THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED. IF THIS HAD GONE FIVE MINUTES SOONER I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE CROWDED HIGHWAY GOING 55 TO 60 MPH I FIND OUT THAT SUBARU AND THE NHTSA KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED. I REALLY DON'T WANT MYSELF OR MY WIFE TO BE TEST CASES. I AM NOW INFORMED BY SUBARU THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SINCE IT IS ELECTRICAL IT COULD BE JUST BE THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2020
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW (CURRENTLY 55,000 MILES ON IT) THE AIR BAG RED MALFUNCTION LIGHT HAS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO, AT TIMES, THE DASHBOARD WILL REGISTER THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. I MENTIONED THIS TO DEALER EARLY ON, BUT WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT HAS CONTINUED, AND I NOTICED THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER OR DURING HEAVY RAINS. MOST RECENTLY I TOOK A VIDEO OF THE LIGHT ON AND PANNED TO THE PASSENGER TO SHOW THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK (OF COURSE THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MOISTURE IN THE AIR THAT THEY ARE SEEING WITH OTHER CARS AS WELL. BUT, WAS AGAIN TOLD SINCE THERE WAS NO LIGHT, THEY COULD NOT CHECK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT SUBARU HEADQUARTERS, DAVID AT 856 356-1190. HE SPOKE WITH DEALER AND WAS GOING TO SUGGEST AN ENGINEER LOOK AT VEHICLE, BUT JUST GOT BACK TO ME AND SINCE THERE IS NO HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS, AND THE LIGHT IS NOT CURRENTLY ON, WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING, AND THAT I SHOULD BRING THE CAR BACK IN WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. I AM FURIOUS. I AM DRIVING AROUND WITH A PASSENGER WHO IS OCCASIONALLY NOT PROTECTED BY AN AIRBAG. THEY ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND EVEN HAVE A PROCEDURE ON WHAT TO DO TO RESET THE LIGHT. BUT, I WORK DURING THE DAY, AND WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, IT IS IN THE EVENING OR ON THE WEEKEND. SO, EVEN IF A LIGHT COMES ON, THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN AT THOSE TIMES, AND BY THE TIME I GET THERE WHEN THEY ARE OPEN, THE LIGHT IS OFF. THERE WILL NEVER BE A HISTORY OF FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AS THEY NEVER SEE THE LIGHT ON, DESPITE ME SHOWING THEM THE VIDEO I TOOK. MY PASSENGERS ARE IN DANGER, AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2020
I FOUND OUR 2017 CROSSTREK SUBARU WITH AUTOSTART CAPABILITY IN OUR CLOSED GARAGE, LOCKED, RUNNING, WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION AT 8 AM. THE TWO AUTOSTART FOBS WERE SHUT UP IN A DRAWER. THE CAR HAD LAST BEEN DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK THE DAY BEFORE, RETURNING ABOUT 5 PM. OUR CO DETECTOR IN THE HOUSE DID NOT GO OFF AND NO ONE WAS HURT (LUCKILY). WE HAVE SINCE HAD THE AUTOSTART DISCONNECTED AND BELIEVE OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY. THIS IS SIMILAR TO REPORTS ABOUT 2010-2013 SUBARUS WITH AUTOSTART WHERE ALMOST 50,000 VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. SEE HTTPS://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/DRIVEON/2013/03/07/SUBARU-RECALL/1971825/
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 22, 2020
STEREO SYSTEM FREEZES. TOUCH SCREEN INACCESSIBLE. GLITCHES CONSTANTLY. NOT ABLE TO ACCESS ANY APPS, NAVIGATION, STARLINK, ETC.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2020
CAN'T REMOVE IGNITION KEY. AFTER PARKING, I PLACE THE CAR IN PARK, AND TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY. IT GETS STUCK AND WON'T COME OUT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETING ABOUT "SHIFT SELECTER MECHANISM" BUT CAR OWNERS HAVE TO PAY GET THIS FIXED. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2020
REOCCURRING PROBLEM OF SELECT LEVER (SHIFTER) MECHANISM NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. CURRENTLY UNABLE TO CONFIDENTLY USE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE KEY IS REPEATEDLY STUCK AND IT REQUIRES SEVERAL BACK AND FORTH, IGNITION ON AND OFF, ACTIONS BEFORE CAR TURNS OFF AND KEY CAN BE REMOVED.
Lane departure, Aug 31, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS BLIND SPOT FUNCTION WAS INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BLIND SPOT BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, FAILED TO RESPOND. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,322.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2020
THE IGNITION SWITCH AT TIMES DOES NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE REMOVE POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. INVESTIGATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH MANY SUBARU MODELS WHERE THIS "CAPTURE" OF THE IGNITION KEY OCCURS. A DRIVER FORCED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY INSIDE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AS A CHILD COULD USE THE CAPTURED KEY TO START THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT INTO A GEAR TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE "P"ARK RANGE SWITCH.
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2020
RE: BATTERY NOT FULLY CHARGING IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT OUR BATTERY IS NOT FULLY CHARGING AGAIN (CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC). WE HAVE A 3+ YEAR OLD, NEWISH SUBARU CROSSTREK WITH CONSISTENT BATTERY DRAINING PROBLEMS. THE FIRST BATTERY DRAINED ON US IN DEC 2019, THUS THE 2ND BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY SUBARU ON 12/12/2019. I BELIEVED THIS IS AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT IS CREATING PROBLEMS ON MY BATTERY AND TUCSON SUBARU STATED THAT I HAVE TO PAY (POSSIBLY) FOR ALTERNATOR IF THIS IS THE ISSUE. WELL, THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE ALTERNATOR BEFORE AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS BATTERY DRAINING IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU CROSSTREK. I HAVE OWNED NEW MAZDA AND TOYOTAS BEFORE, I NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY ON NEW CAR AND BATTERY. HAVING THIS REPEATED PROBLEM IS NOT JUST A BATTERY ISSUE, IT IS AN ENGINE OR ALTERNATOR ISSUE AND SUBARU CROSSTREK THUS FAR HAS FAILED ON ME. I JUST NEED SUBARU TO FIX THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM AND DOING MY RESEARCH, OTHER SUBARU CROSSTREK OWNERS HAVE OR HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH BATTERIES DRAINING TOO FAST INCLUDING ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. AND SUBARU SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I LOVE JAPANESE CARS AND I BELIEVE IN SUBARU AND I'M HOPING THAT THEY STILL HAVE THAT INTEGRITY, BUT THEY HAVE TO ACT ON THIS ACTION AND SHOW THEIR LOYALTY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING US CREATED BY THEIR OWN TECHNICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I COULD NOT REMOVE IT UNTIL I VIEWED A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT EXPLAINED HOW TO START THE CAR AND MOVE THE SHIFTER FORWARD AND THEN REVERSE AGAIN. OTHERS HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SUBARU VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 20, 2020
I GOT IN MY 2017 CROSSTREK PREMIUM ON FEBRUARY 11, 2020 THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS NOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, NOTHING HIT ME. I DO NOT OFF ROAD. THE CRACK WAS SPONTANEOUS. NOW THE CRACK HAS SPROUTED INTO SEVERAL SPONTANEOUS CRACKS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY GETTING WORSE, CLIMBING APPROX. 1/3 OF THE WAY UP THE WINDSHIELD! I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE PROGRESSION OF THE CRACK STARTING FEBRUARY 2020 TO THE PRESENT, EACH MONTH, IF NEEDED.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 15, 2020
VEHICLE LOSES POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THROTTLE IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE/NON-FUNCTIONAL. ENGINE REMAINS ON BUT WILL NOT DELIVER POWER OR ACCELERATE. NO DASH INDICATION LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. CAR SLOWS DOWN RAPIDLY UNTIL THROTTLE RE-ENGAGES AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS WHICH CAN BE A FEW SECONDS UP TO THIRTY SECONDS. HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINUTES. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY AFTER IT INITIATES. HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2020
VALIDATING COMPLAINT OF WHAT IS LISTED ON NHTSA. 1) KEY STUCK IN IGNITION - WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER SETTING GEAR IN PARK AND TURNING OFF ENGINE, CAR KEY WILL GET STUCK 2) LOW GAS FUEL CHIME - CHIME IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. CHIME IS SHARP / STACCATO ALERT AND IS BARELY AUDIBLE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2020
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED AN 8" CRACK AFTER A SMALL ROCK STRIKE WITHIN AN HOUR. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2020, crash
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 45MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER AND TURNED OFF. AS A RESULT MY WIFE WAS REAR ENDED BUT SUFFERED NO MAJOR PHYSICAL INJURY. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INSPECTED IT. HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL FOR SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2020
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING DOWN I-35 AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. IT SHATTERED INTO PIECES AND THERE WAS GLASS ALL OVER MY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT COME OUT WHEN TURNED OFF. *TR