2017 Subaru WRX Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2017 Subaru WRX, and owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2017 Subaru WRX
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
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.
Remedy: 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.…
53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2017 Subaru WRX have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 43,409 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2026 · Engine
“Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi wh”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 9, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2017 Subaru WRX. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–20 / 23–27 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8); Manual 6-spd |
Compare Subaru WRX model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru WRX model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Subaru WRX | 1 | 427 |
| 2003 Subaru WRX | 1 | 60 |
| 2004 Subaru WRX | 4 | 42 |
| 2005 Subaru WRX | 4 | 19 |
| 2006 Subaru WRX | 3 | 14 |
| 2007 Subaru WRX | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 Subaru WRX | 7 | 65 |
| 2009 Subaru WRX | 10 | 41 |
| 2010 Subaru WRX | 12 | 1 |
| 2011 Subaru WRX | 11 | 4 |
| 2012 Subaru WRX | 12 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru WRX | 11 | 7 |
| 2014 Subaru WRX | 10 | 6 |
| 2015 Subaru WRX | 3 | 52 |
| 2016 Subaru WRX | 3 | 31 |
| 2017 Subaru WRX | 1 | 53 |
| 2018 Subaru WRX | 2 | 43 |
| 2019 Subaru WRX | 2 | 30 |
| 2020 Subaru WRX | 1 | 17 |
| 2021 Subaru WRX | 1 | 13 |
| 2022 Subaru WRX | 1 | 25 |
| 2023 Subaru WRX | 1 | 8 |
| 2024 Subaru WRX | 0 | 13 |
| 2025 Subaru WRX | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 2017 Subaru WRX
How do I know if my 2017 Subaru WRX has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2017 Subaru WRX; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 22V522000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Subaru models
- Outback9,756 complaints
- Forester6,498 complaints
- Legacy3,185 complaints
- Impreza2,651 complaints
- Crosstrek1,186 complaints
- Ascent1,033 complaints
- Svx291 complaints
- Xv Crosstrek264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.