NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Subaru WRX Recalls & Complaints

The 2017 Subaru WRX has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 53 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 Subaru WRX. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2017 Subaru WRX owner complaints

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru WRX, describing incidents dated February 28, 2018 to April 22, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 14 complaints
  • Engine 12 complaints
  • Power Train 11 complaints
  • Steering 6 complaints
  • Air Bags 4 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 4 complaints

Of the 53 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 53 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11735991 · Filed

    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 a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a…

  • ODI #11730211 · Filed

    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 when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was…

  • ODI #11698178 · Filed

    Hit a deer. Airbags did not deploy, however I have reasonable suspicion to believe my head hit the A pillar during impact.

Read all 53 complaints

Inoperative Backup Lights and Rearview Image

NHTSA #22V522000 · Exterior Lighting — Back Up Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2022 · Subaru of America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 59,934 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.42% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Subaru campaign WRE-22 · Owners notified September 16, 2022 · Vehicles built November 14, 2013 – October 21, 2021 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE-22.

Notes

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.

Other Subaru WRX model years

Check your 2017 Subaru WRX VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru WRX at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Subaru VIN