Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2017 Subaru WRX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Subaru WRX has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 53 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V522000 Inoperative Backup Lights and Rearview Image NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- 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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2017 Subaru WRX is rated as average due to moderate complaint frequency in electrical and engine components, and a notable recall for backup light switch corrosion. It has some mechanical vulnerabilities that could increase maintenance costs, but overall reliability remains typical for its class.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 30,000–50,000 miles | $150–$400 | common |
| engine | 50,000–70,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| power train | 60,000–80,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement every 20,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change at 60,000 miles
- Spark plugs replacement at 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light activation
- Unusual engine noise
- Difficulty in gear shifting
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Backup camera malfunction
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Subaru WRX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.