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.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK. CRACK OCCURRED WHEN NOT IN MOTION. CAR WAS NOT NEAR ANYWHERE WITH ROCKS. ONLY DROVE CAR 30 MILES FROM THE TIME I BOUGHT IT FROM THE DEALER. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Other or unspecified, May 24, 2020
WHEN PUTTING MY 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK INTO PARK THE KEY REMAINS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY IS TO SHIFT INTO AND OUT OF PARK. SOMETIMES THIS TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
Power train, May 21, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER VEHICLE PARKED. KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. PROBLEM CORRESPONDS TO SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R. *TR
Visibility, May 19, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 3 WEEKS NOT BEING USED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND OUT OF THE BLUE A SMALL CRACK APPEARED IN TWO PLACES ON MY WINDSHIELD. *TR
Electrical system, May 16, 2020
ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, THE BATTERY DIED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I CALLED SERVICE AND THE CAR WAS JUMP STARTED. THREE DAYS LATER I HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO START MY CAR EVERY DAY, OR JUMP START IF THE CAR SITS FOR THREE DAYS. LUCKILY, THE CAR IS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2020
HI, I WAS READING ONLINE THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN ISSUING COMPLAINTS ABOUT CRACKS IN SUBARU CROSSTREK WINDSHIELDS RANDOMLY OCCURRING. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS WELL. MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AT A MOUNTAIN RESORT IN WINTER OR 2019 (~27 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE). NO PREEXISTING DAMAGE WAS NOTED PRIOR TO LEAVING THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD TO ABOUT 1/4 OF THE WAY ACROSS IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER (ABOUT 1FT LONG). NO IMPACT EVENTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT. I DO NOT HAVE IMAGES OF THE DAMAGE BUT DO HAVE THE INSURANCE CLAIM IF NEEDED. APPROXIMATE DATE PROVIDED BELOW.
Electrical system, Mar 31, 2020
WHEN I PUT MY 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK IN PARK, I CAN NOT TAKE MY KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION. THEY ARE LOCKED IN. I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE BRAKE, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THEN SLAM IT INTO PARK AGAIN, AND EVEN THEN IT DOESNT ALLOW THE KEYS TO TURN ALL THE WAY TO PULL THEM OUT. I HAVE TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE THE SENSOR REALIZES THE CAR IS IN PARK AND I CAN TAKE MY KEYS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, AND IS NOT AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS HAPPENING EVERY SINGLE TIME I GO TO TURN THE CAR OFF.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CRACK ORIGINATED UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES AND SPREAD WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT ON TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK, AT WHICH POINT IT WAS ALREADY APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES LONG. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THAT IT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND THEY TOOK DETAILED PICTURES (CHARLIE'S SUBARU IN AUGUST, ME).
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I CAME OUT TO THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK AND THERE'S A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WASN'T A SUPER HOT DAY OR SUPER COLD DAY OR ANYTING JUST LOOKED UP AND SAW THE CRACK I'M LIKE THAT'S A BUMMER.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
A RANDOM CRACK APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD OR ANYTHING DAMAGING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE WHEN I NOTICED IT AND WAS NOT MOVING.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAD SEVERAL CRACKS, THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE PRODUCED SO EASILY. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF OWNING MY 2017 CROSSTREK, A PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD AT A RATHER LOW FORCE AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THEN THE CRACK TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN. THEN ANOTHER CRACK MYSTERIOUSLY APPEARED IN A DIFFERENT SPOT. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A WINDSHIELD SO WEAK. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED.
Steering, Jan 21, 2020
THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING SHORTLY AFTER CAR WAS STARTED TO GO ON S SHORT TRIP. WE WERE STILL N OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. I COULD STILL DRIVE IT, BUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT ON CURVES ON BACK ROADS AND HIGHWAY TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE 32 MILES AWAY. I HAVE HEARD OTHER SUBARUS HAVE HAD SHORTS IN THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2020
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO REMOVE KEY. THIS OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY AND TRYING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION. HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE I TOOK IT IN AS SUBARU HAD A RECALL FOR WUE90 STOP LIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT AND I THOUGHT IT MAY BE RELATED AS DID MY SERVICE PROVIDER AT NORTH PARK SUBARU OR MAYBE HAD TO DO WITH STEERING. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, THE REPAIR WAS OUT OF MY POCKET. THE SERVICE PROVIDER REPORTED 'ERRATIC OPERATION OF PARK SWITCH ON SHIFTER' AND THE SHIFTER WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. THIS APPEARS A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE. THE SERVICE PROVIDER ALSO REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE AND STATED MANY PEOPLE HAD COME IN RECENTLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE SERVICED. IT MAYBE UNETHICAL THAT THE SERVICE PROVIDER HAS NOT OR DID NOT APPEAR TO BE REPORTING THE MATTER. CAR IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD (WHEN OCCURED) AND HAS 50K MILES ON IT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 1, 2020
NO VISBILITY OF CRACK BEFORE WORK. 9 HOURS LATER A LARGE CRACK APPEARS ON WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS PARKED IN GATED SECURE PARKING STRUCTURE F=DURING THE TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2019, crash
I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOW INTO MY GARAGE FROM TOWNHOUSE STREET. I HEARD THIS STRANGE NOISE AND MY CAR ACCELERATED FAST. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I HIT THE BACK OF MY GARAGE CAUSING DAMAGE TO GARAGE WALL AND INSIDE OF MY TOWNHOME. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 1987 AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOW AT GALE AUTO REPAIR, BLAINE, MN.. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 30, 2019, crash
WHEN DRIVING INTO MY GARAGE, MY CAR MADE A STRANGE NOISE AND ACCELERATED INTO THE BACK OF MY GARAGE. I DID PUT ON MY BRAKES BUT THE CAR WAS GOING TOO FAST AND DID NOT STOP. I HAD DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY GARAGE, A SHELF AND INSIDE MY LAUNDRY ROOM AND BATHROOM. I DRIVE SLOW INTO MY STREET AND MY GARAGE. I HAVE LIVED HERE SINCE 1987 AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. MY CAR IS BEING FIXED BY GALE AUTO, BLAINE, MN.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED, PUT IN REVERSE/DRIVE, AND THEN EITHER MOVED OR STEP FIRMLY ON THE BREAK AND BACK IN PARK. SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT OFTEN.
Power train, Wheels, Dec 1, 2019
I LEASE A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. THE CAR HAS BEEN FAITHFULLY MAINTAINED AS PER MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT/EXPERIENCED ANY BODY DAMAGE. THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO 48K. THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TWICE BETWEEN 48K AND 55 K AND THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED AROUND 52K. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AND THE DEALER NOTED THAT ALL WHEEL BEARINGS ON EVERY SUBARU FAIL PRIOR TO 50K. FOR A RATHER PRICEY CAR, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL, IT COULD LOCK UP ONE WHEEL AND CAUSE THE CAR TO FLIP UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING ADDITIONALLY, YOU WILL DRIVE THE CAR ONE DAY WITHOUT ANY ISSUE AND LITERALLY, THE NEXT DAY, YOU WILL START TO HEAR A LOW GROANING NOISE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHSTA TO OPEN A DEFECTS INVESTIGATION AS THEY CAN FIND THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS EVERY SUBARU MODEL FROM 2013-FORWARD WHEN THE WHEEL BEARING DESIGN WAS CHANGED. DEALER RECORDS AND WARRANTY REPAIRS CAN INDICATE THIS. THE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR WATER AND ROAD DEBRIS TO GET INSIDE OF THE BEARING, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND FAILURE. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE TO REPLACE WHEEL BEARINGS ON CARS EVERY 50K. MY LAST VEHICLE (2007 HYUNDAI SONATA) DROVE FLAWLESSLY UNTIL 277K AND I NEVER HAD TO CHANGE A WHEEL BEARING IN THE 10 YEARS I OWNED THAT VEHICLE. SHAME ON SUBARU!
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BLINKS. CANNOT USE CRUISE CONTROL. ITS A 2017 CROSSTREK. TOOK IT TO DEALER TWICE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTOR OR O2 SENSORS WHICH WERE FIXED BUT LIGHTS REMAIN ON
Electrical system, Nov 25, 2019
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TUNED OFF AND IN PARK. CONSTANTLY NEED TO RESTART THE CAR AND PLAY AROUND WITH THE SHIFTER. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A MONTH. CAR IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD AND HAS 40K MILES ON IT. GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD HAS SAID ANY REPAIR WOULD NEED TO BE PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2019
MY WINDSHIELD BUSTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 9, 2019
CAR STALLS RANDOMLY UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN. TAKES 3 TO 4 SECONDS TIL THE CAR ACCELERATES. DURING ALL THIS TIME THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. AFRAID THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, AS YESTERDAY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET T-BONED. WILL NOT DRIVE MY GRANDSONS IN THIS CAR.
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2019
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I LOG A TON OF MILES AS A PART-TIME UBER DRIVER AND NEVER RECALL A STONE OR ANYTHING ELSE IMPACT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. SUDDENLY ON 9/15/19, THERE WAS A SMALL CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD AND NOW, ON 11/3/19, THERE ARE LINEAR CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT EXTEND 24" ON BOTH SIDES OF THAT SMALL CRACK. THIS WAS LIKELY DUE TO THE CHANGING COLD WEATHER
Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2019
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. THE TRUCK EXITED THE FREEWAY AND I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE THE COMPANY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. SO THERE IS NOW A T-SHAPED CRACK THAT EXTENDS ACROSS MOST OF THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
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.