2017 Subaru WRX recalls and problems

The 2017 Subaru WRX has 1 recall and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

2017 Subaru Wrx
Photo: 2017 Subaru Wrx by DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2017 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 24 WRX model years — 4th most.

1recalls
53complaints
8crashes
2fires
7injuries
36,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Exterior Lighting

Jul 21, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V522000 · 59,934 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera image not displaying when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk: Inoperative backup lights and an inoperative rearview camera can reduce vehicle visibility and driver awareness, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System14
Engine12
Power Train11
Steering6
Air Bags4
Exterior Lighting4
Visibility4
Fuel System3
Suspension3
Unknown or other3

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2018: 9 complaints20182019: 6 complaints20192020: 8 complaints20202021: 10 complaints2021102022: 6 complaints20222023: 6 complaints20232024: 3 complaints20242025: 3 complaints20252026: 2 complaints20262

2017 vs. other Subaru WRX years

2002: 427 complaints20024272003: 60 complaints2004: 42 complaints20042005: 19 complaints2006: 14 complaints20062008: 65 complaints2009: 41 complaints20092010: 1 complaints2011: 4 complaints20112012: 2 complaints2013: 7 complaints20132014: 6 complaints2015: 52 complaints20152016: 31 complaints2017: 53 complaints20172018: 43 complaints2019: 30 complaints20192020: 18 complaints2021: 13 complaints20212022: 25 complaints2023: 9 complaints20232024: 14 complaints2025: 3 complaints20252026: 1 complaints20261

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2017. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2017 Subaru WRX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2017 Subaru WRX, the latest from Jul 21, 2022 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru WRX?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (14), engine (12), power train (11). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.