Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Subaru Crosstrek problems

Owners filed 97 complaints about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek with NHTSA between Mar 2017 and Oct 2025. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (23).

Complaints
97
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper23
  2. Electrical system18
  3. Power train13
  4. Engine12
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Steering5
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Wheels4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system3
  10. Exterior lighting3
  11. Air bags3
  12. Visibility3
  13. Chest clip, buckle, harness1
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20174
20185
201924
202033
202113
20227
20235
20243
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility/wiper

23 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2021Visibility/wiperODI 11397230

Electrical system

18 reports1 crash
“My husband has trouble getting the key out when in park and turn off. Have to use the E-break every time we park because even in park the vehicle seems to get a mind of its own and start to roll. IT ROLLED ON ME WHILE I WAS GETTING MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR!! NOW my driver side window seems to roll all the way up but right back down with out me touching it. I have to fight the thing for 5mins to get it up! Windshield is cracked. We got it parked it no crack, went out in it and Crack, now I have to pay to get a new Windshield put in because every day just sitting there the Crack gets bigger. Why is there only 1 recall on this thing!?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2022Electrical system, Power trainODI 11467562

Power train

13 reports2 crashes
“Premature shift fork failure in 2017 Subaru Crosstrek manual transmission at 62,521 miles requiring complete transmission replacement ($10,000 repair, vehicle worth $11,000). EVIDENCE OF DESIGN DEFECT: - Subaru issued TSB 03-83-20R acknowledging shift fork design flaws in 2018-2020 Crosstreks with identical transmission - TSB states original forks required "thicker nylon inserts" proving inadequate design - My VIN (HG269902) is before production change (LG225906), confirming defective pre-improvement design - Shift fork failure can cause sudden inability to shift gears while driving - significant safety hazard MAINTENANCE: Single owner, meticulously maintained with documented service at 20k, 39k, 52k, 58k miles. Never in accident. No abuse. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Subaru offered only $1,800 (18% coverage) and blamed my "driving habits" despite TSB proving design defect. REQUEST: NHTSA investigate shift fork failures in 2015-2017 Crosstreks and evaluate if TSB 03-83-20R should extend to these model years. See attached: Complete complaint documentation and TSB 03-83-20R.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2025Power trainODI 11694927

Engine

12 reports3 crashes1 fire
“- cam carrier leak, resulting in oil leaking from engine. oil is leaking onto catalytic converter sensor causing it to malfunction. - oil leaking from cars poses a safety and environmental hazard. - michael's subaru of bellevue (washington state) has confirmed it occurring, and it is a problem across subaru models according to a number of forum posts from subaru owners, which has been shared with subaru of america. - i have not had it inspected by anyone officially besides michael's subaru of bellevue (washington state). - there was a warning lamp for the catalytic converter, but upon physical inspection of the vehicle the technician discovered it was oil leaking from the cam carrier onto the sensor that caused the warning lights to turn on in the vehicle. - i have included emails i exchanged with subaru of america regarding the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11511870

Service brakes

6 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2024Power train, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11575912

Steering

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated while pulling out of her driveway, the steering wheel became stiff, and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to diagnose by a dealer. The failure mileage was 48,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2023SteeringODI 11508323
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.