What 53 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru WRX

Experienced catastrophic engine failure with no known cause. The car had been inspected and had an oil change 3,000 miles prior to the incident. Thankfully, I had already exited the thruway and was on a quiet backroad but if this had happened 15 minutes earlier on the thruway this could have been a much different story.

NHTSA ODI 11735991

Car all the sudden stall/ lock up tires at high way speeds due to sudden no warning engine failure causing a massive safety concern My car locked up during a normal drive up a slowly passing a semi when my car died no power steering no engine power transmission locking due engine failure Car was checked and maintenance at the dealer less then a week prior for a small misfire then was dismissed due to car all the sudden running fine so I drove it 100 miles then it died and almost killed me due to the sudden lockup 2017 Subaru wrx WITH THE FA20 DIT Also worth mentioning cars 100% factory stock Car wasn’t terribly damaged, although I was very shaken up from sudden failure into a ditch

NHTSA ODI 11730211

Hit a deer. Airbags did not deploy, however I have reasonable suspicion to believe my head hit the A pillar during impact.

NHTSA ODI 11698178

Going about 55mph, I struck a deer head on. It struck towards the center, but more so on the passenger side. During the impact, no airbags deployed, however, based off IIHS videos, it seems likely that they should have. Additionally, I have reasonable suspicion to believe I hit my head on the pillar of the door, which would have been unlikely if the airbags deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11697979

Likely secondary air injection pump and/or its related relays, CEL P2444 came on 3 separate times. November 2024, brought it in to get replaced under warranty, came on again the day after picking her up in December 2024 due to faulty pump, didn’t get to bring her back in until March 1st 2025, fixed part again, brought her home [XXX]. Car engulfed in flames 10 days later on [XXX]. I do have the car’s ECU available for scan to check for previous codes. I could have been killed in a car fire, the building my car was in front of could have been turned to ash. No, the problem has not been reproduced, the car is totaled and in a pile of ash. Yes, the vehicle was inspected by police and fire force after the incident. The CEL light had come back on that morning. 9:11 am, came on, parked at 9:28am, car was on fire by 9:52am. I was parked and in an appointment when the cops came in in order to evacuate us because my car was in flames. Please contact Romano Subaru for information on my car, I do not have all of the paperwork available to me, but all of the work was done through that dealership. 315-475-7933 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11651199

The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me on these issues even though I just recently purchased the car stating that I have to pay for it. I purchased this car [XXX]. There were several issues with this car prior to purchase that were not disclosed when I purchased it. The dealership that I bought the car from, highline car connection/Yankee Auto sales, insisted we buy an extended warranty. Upon inspection at Dan Perkins Subaru, one of the biggest safety issues with this vehicle is the clutch, I was informed that the clutch cover was missing and there were aftermarket bolts used, I was informed that the clutch is a normal wear and tear item such as an oil change and because of these two issues my warranty will not cover fixing the clutch. As you can see in my documents I just recently purchased this vehicle and had it for 28 days. I also noticed that there was odometer tampering, I reviewed the paperwork the dealership gave me for the carfax report and I went online to retrieve my own carfax report, there are several discrepancies in which I included with my documents. My vehicle has been in the shop since December 6th 2024 it is not safe to drive on the road in the condition it is which is the same condition the car was sold to me in. For the last week I have been going back and forth with the original dealership the insurance company Allstate with the warranty and Dan Perkins Subaru trying to figure out a way to get my car safe on the road and no one is willing to assist me properly. Please review the documents and get back to me at your earliest convenience thank you for your assistance with these issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11630702

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact stated that while reversing, the backup lights intermittently failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that he had to pay the labor cost to have the recall repair performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11619054

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while reversing, the reverse back up switch was activated; however, the reverse lights and the back over prevention camera feature failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the reverse switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11581730

1, At about 12000 miles the car's windshield wipers stop working. And did not ever work again for the past several years. Wipers which was checked the motor was replaced to admission to the key was replaced and wiper still don't work. 2, About 24000 miles Was turning the vehicle around on a inclined road in the mountains went to pull forward and the steering wheel would not work anymore which resulted in me crashing into a ravine dropping about 10 feet off the side of the cliff. 3, 33000 miles time issue occurred I was doing 75 on the Kansas turnpike and a curb came up as I entered the term for the curve that wheel would not turn and I kept going straighitting the guard railBut just only grazing it for I regained power to my steering at the last moment. And now currently again. dealership still cannot fix issue Instead they just charge me outrageous prices for not fixing anything and then threatened to call the cops on me if I don't pay it or agree to the service department's terms this has happened at 2 different dealerships.

NHTSA ODI 11561589

Reverse lights won’t go on, and rear camera won’t turn on in reverse. While in reverse it says I’m in first.

NHTSA ODI 11511429

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera and the back-up lights failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the reverse light switch and camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11506925

UNKNOWN. Was hit very hard, approximately at 70mph, on rear passenger corner of car, hit caused my vehicle to slide and hit the guardrail on front end of vehicle, and no airbags deployed at any point in collision. Airbags are intact. I have included close up pictures of the airbag crash sensors on the front of the vehicle if they are of any use.

NHTSA ODI 11506392

Engine failure on the highway driving 60mph , Rod bearing failed causing engine to be destroyed (new block , new pistons, new head needed). Car was under warranty . Dealership filed claim but subaru of America denied claim giving erroneous reasons for denial . Subaru of America has been sued for this before http://www.enginebearings.settlementclass.com/ but they are stating my car does not fall under lawsuit.

NHTSA ODI 11501899

I have a 2017 Subaru WRX that stalls while driving (including at highway speeds) 2 to 3 times every day on my commute to work through the mountains. This has led the vehicle to skid sideways and lose control. When I looked into this problem, I found that Subaru has a recall on its fuel pumps for 2018 to 2020 Subaru WRX vehicles but somehow my VIN does not appear to be considered AN affected vehicle. This issue is life-threatening, and I believe the model years eligible for recall, must not have captured one year earlier model with presumably the same faulty fuel pump. I believe the recall needs to be expanded.

NHTSA ODI 11500574

The Direct Injection Engine causes valves to become coated in carbon build-up, unlike indirect injections which constantly clean the valves. This issue then results in the sudden loss of power and engine stalls (often when attempting to accelerate from low speeds) which are extremely dangerous when attempting to merge or turn in traffic. Subaru has not addressed the issue but based on online searches it appears to be a major issue for all 2.0l direct injection engines.

NHTSA ODI 11497425

I own a 2017 Subaru WRX. On 8/10/2019 I had the battery replaced at the dealership because it does for no reason. The battery died overnight and I had to jump the car to get it to the dealership. This happened again and the battery replaced at the dealership on 9/29/2022. This time the battery got weaker each time I started the car over a period of 3 days then one day it didn't start. I had to jump to get to the dealership. They reaplaced the battery and I said I didn't want to pay because this is the 2nd time it's been replaced in 4 years. He told me to join a class action settlement for defective batteries.

NHTSA ODI 11488486

The contact owns 2017 Subaru WRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V522000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera intermittently failed to operate. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer then confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and was unable to confirm when the parts would become available. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11487109

Throw-Out bearing design defective flaw for 2015 2016 2017 2018 SUBARU WRX PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE. Bearing has been making noises since before 10,000 miles and dealers fail to diagnose or repair under warranty. Searches on the internet show it is a common problem affecting hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11486457

Premature clutch failure due to faulty clutch release fork and bearings.

NHTSA ODI 11478058

I have a 2017 model year Subaru and I've gone through 2 batteries and about to get a third one which seems like a lot considering how many other cars I've seen not get their battery replaced once and older in year than my car.

NHTSA ODI 11461131

Vehicle suffers from repeated battery drain issues - continue to replace top of the line batteries in the vehicle because they are constantly draining

NHTSA ODI 11435329

I had parked my car in front of my house and did not use it for 2 days. When I went to drive the car, it with not turn on. I had to call AAA to jump the car and I let it run for 30 minutes then drive it for the next 30 minutes. I parked the car again and 6 hours later went to go out and it would not start again. Called AAA again and had them come jump start the car. Both AAA mechanics said this is a problematic battery. I went to my Subaru dealer in Rye, NY and they said my battery is fine and I had a loose negative terminal. This was a lie and incorrect. The battery was first put it on 7/15/2019 and this was less than 2 years later that it died on me twice. I have service documents from the car dealer for the battery install and the recent service to check the battery as well as AAA to vouch for my calls to them.

NHTSA ODI 11424689

Had to replace the battery in 2019, really short life for a 2017 model.

NHTSA ODI 11424469

BATTERY DRAINED VERY QUICKLY. LEAVING CAR UNDRIVEN FOR 5 DAYS WOULD RESULT IN DEAD BATTERY. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP DEC 2019 AND THEY TESTED THE BATTERY, AND FOUND THAT BATTERY WAS BAD!AND REPLACED THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI 11416644

STARTED HAVING A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THROW OUT BEARING WENT BAD. HAD IT REPLACED IN 5/12/2019. SAME ISSUE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. TOOK IT IN AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. SECOND REPAIR WAS ON 11/19/2019

NHTSA ODI 11416645