2017 Subaru Crosstrek: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
97 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 97 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 10.78
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Wheel bearing go out after 40K plus miles. After doing research on my own wheels bearings it appears that this is a very common issue for this vehicle. This is not a lot of miles to have on a car before wheel bearings (rear) go bad. Causing extensive damage if not caught and a safety hazard for those opporating the vehicle.
The car has 26,000 miles and the heat shield over the muffler has shifted and causing a grinding sound against the back wheel. Told the shield had rusted and needed replacement. There were no warning lights, just the grinding sound from the rear of the car.
Greetings: As outlined in Service Bulletin 05-70-19, Rear Wheel Backing Plate Design change, I am having an almost overwhelming “whining or humming” sound coming from the rear portion of my vehicle. Given the significance of this WHEEL BEARING & BACKING PLATE issue, I respectfully request an RECALL & subsequent repair be initiated. Coupled with a VERY large number of related customer issues - globally - this issue …
Recalls: 1 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V149000 | Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Unknown Or Other33 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Visibility/Wiper23 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Electrical System18 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Power Train13 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine12 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Service Brakes7 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Subaru Crosstrek years
Subaru Crosstrek years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Unknown Or Other (33 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 90/100, computed from 97 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek's most common problem?
33 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek sit in the Unknown Or Other group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is diagnosis and mixed repair: about 2.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $360–$940 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek cost to run per year?
About $4,234 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,172 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 28/02/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 97 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 97 NHTSA complaints on record (10.8/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (23.5/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems