3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,384 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Subaru WRX drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2017 Subaru WRX Owner Comments

problem #10

Sep 042019

WRX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Hartsdale, NY, USA

problem #9

Aug 042022

WRX

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

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #8

May 122019

WRX

  • 32,000 miles
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

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #7

Feb 042021

WRX

  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought the car and extended warranty from dealer used with 33K miles 11/21/19 a couple months after purchase I was getting onto the freeway after work (6am) and the rpms were going up but my speed was not. Car had 38K miles. I personally only had 4K miles since ownership and I wouldn't think the clutch was shot due being a regular manual driver. I use the vehicle to commute about 40-50 miles daily. 3/4/20 was the day I took it into the dealership. Dealer did nothing to help financially. Called soa and they told me they would help partially pay for the repair. 13K miles after the clutch replacement throw out bearing started chirping when clutch wasn't engaged. 2/26/2021 - after an oil change I notced a fluid on the bottom of my transmission and went online looking to see what was wrong. In my search for that I found Subaru service bulletins and seen information that they had better parts that were available to install on 2015-18 Wrxs. I was not offered any other options other than pay for replacement or drive it broken. After finding out that information I went to the dealership and was then informed that for the clutch parts, it's only for problems occurring in certain situations, and there's nothing they were going to do for me. As for the throw out bearing I was told if I brought it in within 12K miles from the replacement they could have fixed it, but since I'm at 53K miles (15K miles since replacement) once again, nothing. As for the fluid on the transmission they routed it to the cv axle and according to the paperwork it was deemed "acceptable" per Subaru. I've owned a manual transmission vehicle since 2007 and never had any clutch issues that I've had with this car. And being told that squeeks and leaks are acceptable is extremely frustrating.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #6

Nov 182019

WRX

  • 34,450 miles
Throw out bearing gave out twice at within few thousand miles in less than 1 year. Vehicle was less than 36,000 miles. Dealership repaired it twice. Symptom was rattling noise that resolved when clutch pedal was being pressed. Rattling noise present in gear and in neutral.

- Madison, WI, USA

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problem #5

Jan 092020

WRX

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving on the highway. I had the car in 6th grade. All of a sudden the dash display tells me I'm in 4th gear instead of 6th, and I didn't even touch anything. Then the tacometer started bouncing around and when I pushed the gas peddle, it sounded and felt like it was out of gear. All of a sudden smoke came pouring out from under the hood and into the car. So I pulled over immediately. Had a tow truck come get my car, and the clutch is fried! unknown what caused the problem. It had some this to me once before, but only the part where it told me on the dash that it was in a different gear than it was in. That time, I took it out of gear, put it back in, and it was fine. The time it broke down, taking it out of gear and putting it back in didn't do any good.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #4

Nov 192019

WRX

  • 61,545 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pampered 2017 Subaru WRX, auto transmission, 61,545 highway miles and proof of oil changes between 5,000 and 7,000 miles, synthetic 5-30. Car idling at stop light when tapping noise started and then oil light lite up but quickly went out. Pulled over to check oil and found oil level mid level in safe zone. Engine didn't burn or leak oil between oil changes. Giles Subaru in lafayette la said the engine "must have been run low on oil." They believe it started with the #2 rod bearing going out. I've been a mechanic for the last 38 years, I check oil levels often. Short block replacement was $9,957.50. Repair took 31 days. Giles Subaru also extends the powertrain warranty to lifetime if you prove proper oil changes and go in for an inspection every two years. Denied my claim for not coming for two year inspection. Subaru rated my 2.0 turbocharged engine at 268 horsepower with the 15.9 psi of boost. Research verified its the only car Subaru uses this engine in. Subaru's crosstrek uses this 2.0 but as a non turbocharged engine rated at 152 hp. No other car in Subaru's line up has that much horsepower rated per liter. Research shows Subaru added a turbocharger to their 152 horsepower engine but did not upgrade the lubrication system to handle the higher stresses. Subaru has lubrication problems with other engines and has three class action suits now. I seen my automatic transmissions warranty was increased by Subaru recently and demanded by a court to cover repairs past and future until 100,000 mile warranty. Not that they'll actually pay for it if it breaks or anything. They'll say you did something wrong. Shouldn't this be on the NHTSA website" Subaru was demanded to notify the current owners of 2017 automatic transmissions but I haven't received anything. Is Subaru practicing good business? is the government making sure they do business fairly"

- Jeanerette, LA, USA

problem #3

Nov 032019

WRX

  • 48,843 miles
Premature clutch failure and throw out bearing failure with less that 50000 miles

- Newport, NC, USA

problem #2

Dec 022018

WRX

  • 36,000 miles
Premature clutch failure. Tsb out on clutch but dealership will not preform repairs. Needs to be a full recall. Not caused by driver error.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #1

May 092018

WRX

  • 33,000 miles
Throw out bearing has now gone out for the 3X. Subaru of America did everything to not replace under warranty. Grind in 3rd gear not due to driver error.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

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