2017 Subaru BRZ problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 7 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2017 Subaru BRZ has 7 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 BRZ | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 BRZ | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 BRZ | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 BRZ (this page) | 7 | 0 |
| 2018 BRZ | 1 | 2 |
| 2019 BRZ | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 BRZ | 2 | 0 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 7 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 7 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2017 Subaru BRZ 2 DR RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The stock head unit (Model #: CA645UL) in my vehicle has been having Bluetooth issues. Every since I purchased the vehicle in 2016, from time to time, the audio from my Bluetooth would cut out and then come back on. It was only once in a blue moon ever since I bought the car, so…
-Manual Transmission issues with grinding or failure to go into gear. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. -Merging into highway traffic can be dangerous when I'm more focused on my transmission grinding loudly and having difficulty shifting gears to get up to…
This week when I started my car, a yellow caution light appeared on my dash and a “check SRS warning light” appeared next to it. It would turn on and off, so i am unsure of what the problem is. I brought my car in for an inspection on January 28th, and they didn’t detect any…
Common questions
Is the 2017 Subaru BRZ reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 7 owner complaints have been filed for the 2017 Subaru BRZ, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2017 Subaru BRZ?
Only 7 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2017 Subaru BRZ without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2017 Subaru BRZ?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2017 Subaru BRZ to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2017 Subaru BRZ a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 7 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru BRZ?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Subaru BRZ has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Subaru BRZ?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 7 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.