Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 21 | 22% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 7% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 3% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
In August of 2024, I got into my car in a parking lot and turned the key in the ignition. The car started revving really high. I waited for it to slow down, and then I put it into reverse. The car shot back and would hav
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The harness on my child's Nuna RAVA loosened during a 30 minute drive home (highway and downtown driving) in May of 2025. I learned later that month that there is a recall on Nuna Ravas for that exact reason. It is avai
NHTSA complaint: Chest clip
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
There is a battery draining problem. I have had to replace the battery 3 times in a two-year period.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 (r
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
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 gri
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 significa
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's n
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility/wiper is the most reported area with 21 of them (22%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2017 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.