2017 Subaru Crosstrek
Gas Compact SUV
The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Crosstrek AWD, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 94 complaints, most often about unknown or other. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crosstrek AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,150 |
| Crosstrek AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,400 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
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Recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting
highProblem: 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.
Owner complaints
94 complaints filed
5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2017: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 23 · 2020: 33 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 3
Most-cited components
- Unknown Or Other — 33
- Visibility/Wiper — 22
- Electrical System — 17
- Power Train — 13
- Engine — 10
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 15% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Crosstrek model years
2026 Crosstrek
2 recalls · 8 complaints
A2025 Crosstrek
0 recalls · 43 complaints
B2024 Crosstrek
2 recalls · 115 complaints
A2023 Crosstrek
0 recalls · 34 complaints
A2022 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 31 complaints
B2021 Crosstrek
2 recalls · 116 complaints
A2020 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 68 complaints
F2019 Crosstrek
8 recalls · 284 complaints
D2018 Crosstrek
5 recalls · 194 complaints
A2016 Crosstrek
1 recalls · 134 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 38044, 38043). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.