Quick take
The 2017 WRX is a mid-generation car with a short recall list and a long owner-complaint list. That mix is worth reading carefully. A short recall list can mean the car is fine, or it can simply mean problems have not been formally recalled. The federal data shows 53 complaints for this year, the most of the five years we cover, along with the highest crash and injury counts.
If you are interested, focus on three things. Check the steering, because owners describe assist loss and rack leaks. Check the electrical system, since the battery and backup lights both show up. And check the engine and clutch, which carry the most serious reports. Then find out how the car has been driven and modified.
What changed for 2017
The 2017 WRX is part of the third generation that began for 2015. It remains a sedan with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual as the core choice and an optional automatic. It was not a redesign year, so its core mechanical layout matches the 2015 and 2016 cars. The big styling update came a year later, for 2018, which means a 2017 looks like the earlier cars.
The 2017 car has only one recall in the data, which is a long way short of the three on the earlier years. That is partly because the other earlier recalls applied only to 2015 or 2016 builds. It does not say the car has fewer issues, and the complaint count points the other way. The WRX STI is a separate car buyers often compare, and several owner reports for this year mention an STI. Treat the federal data as a mixed set and do not assume a number applies to a particular trim.
Known trouble spots to check
This model year has 53 complaints. The top groups are electrical (14), engine (12), power train (11), steering (6), airbags (4) and exterior lighting (4).
Electrical system. Owners describe batteries that died repeatedly, in one case a third battery in a short time, and a car that went flat after sitting. One reports secondary air injection pump trouble with a repeating fault code, even after a dealer repair. Others describe windshield wipers that stopped working, and reverse lights and the backup camera failing. The reverse light problem is covered by a recall. On the test drive, check wipers on all speeds, reverse lights and the camera, and start the car twice. Ask for the battery's age.
Engine. Some of the most serious reports are here. Owners describe a rod bearing failure that destroyed the engine, a sudden shutdown at highway speed with loss of power assist, and a car that cut out with little warning. One owner says a claim was denied under warranty. Another suggests carbon buildup on the intake valves, which is a general trait of direct-injection engines and is one person's explanation, not a confirmed cause. Listen for ticking or knocking, watch the oil pressure and warning lights, and ask for oil change records. If a car has had an engine replaced, ask for the paperwork.
Power train. Owners describe a clutch release bearing that made noise early, sometimes before 10,000 miles, and bearing failures that came back after a repair. Others report rattling that disappears when the pedal is pressed, engine revs rising without matching speed, and a clutch that gave out after a short time. Try the clutch carefully at several points in the pedal travel, and listen with the pedal both pressed and released.
Steering. This group needs attention. Reports include a steering wheel that became hard to turn at speed, a steering rack with leaking seals that lost power assist, and uneven tire wear with alignment trouble. Some owners describe the car being hard to control when it happened. On a drive, steer through a full range of motion, feel for notchiness or sudden heaviness, and look for fluid around the rack. Ask for the repair history.
Airbags. Four complaints, three of them about collisions with animals or other objects in which the owner says the airbags did not deploy, and one about a driver-assist system that cut out during a turn. These are owner accounts and the reasons are unknown. For a car with any front-end repair, inspect the crash repair carefully and use the history report.
General checks:
- Tires and alignment. Check for edge wear and a steering wheel that sits off-center.
- Brakes. Look at rotors and pads, and ask whether the car has done track days or hard canyon driving.
- Cooling. Watch for steady temperature, and look for staining around hoses and the radiator.
- Fluids. Ask when engine oil, transmission fluid and differential fluids were changed.
- Aftermarket parts. Look for non-factory intakes, exhaust, intercoolers and engine management hardware.
Recalls on a car this age
The data shows one recall for the 2017 WRX.
- Backup light switch. It covers certain 2015 to 2021 WRX cars. The switch can corrode, so the backup lights may not light and the rearview camera may not show an image when you select reverse. One owner says the repair part was not yet available when the recall notice arrived.
That is a good reason to check the open recall status carefully rather than assuming the seller dealt with it. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a Subaru dealer. If the car has aftermarket parts, ask the dealer ahead of time whether they will work on it, since some owners say shops have declined.
Test-drive checklist
- Check the cold start, then listen for ticking, rattles or a rough idle. Look at every warning light as the car starts.
- Test the rear camera and reverse lights. Select reverse, confirm both work at once, and confirm the display agrees with the gear you chose.
- Turn the wheel lock to lock at a standstill, then drive straight on a flat road with your hands loose. The car should not wander or pull.
- Drive a quiet loop that includes a few tight turns. Steering weight should be smooth and consistent with no sudden stiffness or clunk.
- Press the clutch and listen. Any rattle or whirr that changes with the pedal position deserves a mechanic's opinion. Pull away on a slope, and shift through each gear.
- Accelerate with moderate load. The boost and engine note should feel even, with no surging, flat spots or sudden loss of power.
- Brake hard from a safe speed, then brake gently again. Pulsing or a pull to one side is a warning sign.
- Shut the car off, wait a few minutes, restart it, and check the wipers and washers.
Before you hand over money
- A VIN recall check using the NHTSA tool above.
- A vehicle history report. Pay particular attention to accident entries, airbag deployment, title status and odometer readings. One owner of a 2017 says they discovered odometer tampering after buying, so verify mileage against service records.
- An independent pre-purchase inspection, with a code scan, a steering rack and axle leak check, battery and charging test, and a close look at the clutch and engine.
Ask about the modification history. Which parts are not stock, who tuned the engine, and are the original parts available? Has the car been tracked, drag raced or driven hard in other ways? Ask for receipts. Be wary of a seller who cannot say.
Use the payment calculator to estimate the monthly cost once the price is settled.
Is it the right car for you?
The 2017 suits an enthusiast who is willing to inspect closely and spend on a thorough check. It also works for someone who wants a car that looks like the earlier ones but may be priced differently. See the 2016 and 2018 pages for comparison.
If you would rather avoid concern about steering, battery or engine reports, or you cannot arrange a proper inspection, consider other years or other cars. A car with a long record of consistent service is a far better bet than one with unknown history.
Bottom line
The 2017 WRX is capable, but this year draws the most complaints, and the steering and engine reports deserve serious attention. Confirm the recall, review the history, and buy only after an independent inspection.