Is the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK reliable?

The 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK has 132 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Top problems: OTHER (35 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (25 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (17 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK?

The 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru CROSSTREK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK is approximately $1,423/year (suv-compact class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Subaru CROSSTREK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK has 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 82. The most common issue is other problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: driving home at night on the freeway and then a sudden boom! sounded like a brick hit the roof of the car. frighten a bit but managed to pull over and the noticed the sunroof was shattered. drove some slowly and looked at it more when i got home. i noticed that the glass looks like it blew up like a. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 9 crash reports 4 injuries

132

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

35 complaints

27%

• DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN A SUDDEN BOOM! SOUNDED LIKE A BRICK HIT THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FRIGHTEN A BIT BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND THE NOTICED THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. DROVE SOME SLOWLY AND LOOKED AT IT MORE WHEN I GOT HOME. I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS LOOKS LIKE IT BLEW UP LIKE A
• MY 13 MONTH OLD CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR "NO APPARENT REASON".
• SNOW AND RAIN GETTING ONTO ENGINE WITH HOOD COMPLETELY SHUT. WE HAD THE ENGINE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH SNOW EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT. NEVER HAD A VEHICLE LET THE WEATHER GET INTO THE ENGINE WITH THE HOOD SEALED.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN A SUDDEN BOOM! SOUNDED LIKE A BRICK HIT THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FRIGHTEN A BIT BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND THE NOTICED THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. DROVE SOME SLOWLY AND LOOKED AT IT MORE WHEN I GOT HOME. I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS LOOKS LIKE IT BLEW UP LIKE A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK

Based on 87 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 37K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Later than typicalmedian 41K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH28/02/2019

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 the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

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 number for this recall is WUE-90.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Subaru CROSSTREK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,423

Full coverage / month

$119

Liability only / year

$623

vs US avg

-15%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-compact)1.00x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1423

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru CROSSTREK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2017 CROSSTREK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 132 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AND THEN A SUDDEN BOOM! SOUNDED LIKE A BRICK HIT THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FRIGHTEN A BIT BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND THE NOTICED THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED. DROVE SOME SLOWLY AND LOOKED AT IT MORE WHEN I GOT HOME. I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS LOOKS LIKE IT BLEW UP LIKE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREET WITH FAIRLY HIGH TRAFFIC. VERY HEAVY RAIN AND HUMIDITY. I TURNED ON DEFOGGER AND THE WINDSHIELD GOT INCREASINGLY MORE FOGGED UP. THE DEFOGGER DID NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO DRIVE AT 20 MPG TO AVOID A COLLISION. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU CROSSTREK. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE IGNITION WAS IN THE OFF POSITION AND THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALM SPRINGS SUBARU (LOCATED AT 67925 E PALM CANYON DR, CATHEDRAL CITY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2017 CROSSTREK CHIPS TOO EASY. I HAVE NEVER HAD CHIPS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. THE GLASS MUST BE TOO SOFT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CROSSTREK A FEW TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. MY TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SOMETIMES SLIPS, AND SHUDDERS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)