This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Crosstrek powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Crosstrek | 16 |
| 2017 Crosstrek (this page) | 12 |
| 2018 Crosstrek | 13 |
| 2019 Crosstrek | 23 |
| 2020 Crosstrek | 9 |
| 2021 Crosstrek | 13 |
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Crosstrek shows a pattern of serious powertrain failures across multiple systems. Wheel bearings are failing prematurely—one lessee had three replacements by 48K miles, with groaning noises and sudden failure being typical. Multiple owners cite a known Subaru problem confirmed by dealerships; one owner points to Service Bulletin 05-70-19 on backing plate design, saying the bearing failures represent a safety defect that should have triggered a recall.
Transmission problems span automatic and manual units. One owner's transmission control module failed at a traffic light, forcing the vehicle into uncontrolled rollback; dealer quoted over $2,000 for repair and excluded it from warranty. A manual transmission owner at 62K miles documented shift fork failure and cited TSB 03-83-20R, which Subaru issued for 2018–2020 Crosstreks acknowledging the fork design required "thicker nylon inserts"—but offered only 18 percent coverage on a $10,000 replacement.
Electrical gremlins include complete power loss at highway speeds (70 mph on I-235 with engine dropping to zero RPM) and throttle unresponsiveness that can last up to 30 seconds, forcing owners to pull over repeatedly. One owner's vehicle shut down at 45 mph and was rear-ended; a recall for sudden power loss was issued later but excluded her VIN.
A shifter plate guide failure kept keys stuck in the ignition; repair bulletin 16-112-18 covers it, but Subaru doesn't always volunteer coverage. One owner paid $600 out of pocket after learning other owners got reimbursed.
Same Subaru Crosstrek powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Premature Wheel Bearing Failure
Rear wheel bearings failing well before 50K miles in leased and owned vehicles. Owners report the bearings fail suddenly with no warning, sometimes within days of normal operation. Multiple replacements on the same vehicle within short intervals (one owner had three replacements by 48K). Groaning or whining noise precedes failure.
When: Before 50K miles; typically between 48K–55K for multiple replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Low groaning noise from wheel bearing; Whining or humming sound from rear; Sudden bearing failure with no prior warning
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple wheel bearing replacements required; one owner had two replacements on left side and one on right by 55K miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledged the issue as a known problem across all Subaru models; no recall issued. Service Bulletin 05-70-19 addresses rear wheel backing plate design change.
Transmission Control Module Failure
Transmission control module failure caused complete transmission shutdown while vehicle was in motion and at traffic light. Vehicle rolled backward and would not operate except for park. Dealer diagnosed blown transmission control module and damaged electrical wiring.
When: Incident occurred at an unstated mileage; owner reports this is a known issue Subaru refuses to address
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission ceased to operate at traffic light; Vehicle rolled backward unexpectedly; Transmission would only engage park
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module and electrical wiring replacement required; estimated cost over $2,000. Not covered under extended warranty per dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty did not cover the repair. Owner alleges Subaru and NHTSA are aware of the problem but not acting.
Manual Transmission Shift Fork Failure
Premature failure of shift fork in manual transmission, requiring complete transmission replacement at 62,521 miles. Owner cites Subaru TSB 03-83-20R which acknowledges shift fork design flaws in 2018–2020 Crosstreks with identical transmission, stating original forks required 'thicker nylon inserts' proving inadequate design. Owner's vehicle predates the production change.
When: 62,521 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden inability to shift gears while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement; cost $10,000 on vehicle valued at $11,000. Single owner, meticulously maintained with documented service at 20K, 39K, 52K, 58K miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru TSB 03-83-20R issued for 2018–2020 Crosstreks; offered only $1,800 (18% coverage) and blamed owner's driving habits despite TSB proving design defect. Owner requests TSB extend to 2015–2017 model years.
Unintended Rapid Acceleration
Vehicle experienced uncontrolled rapid acceleration when driver lightly tapped gas pedal to inch forward in parking spot. Driver was unable to stop the vehicle before it struck a concrete retaining wall at what owner describes as unintended high speed. Owner reports fear of future rapid acceleration incidents.
When: January 19, 2024; vehicle has been leased since 2017 with regular servicing
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid uncontrolled acceleration from light pedal input; Brakes insufficient to stop vehicle before impact
Repairs/costs cited: Bumper damage, bent hood hinge, cracked bracket above light assembly.
Cam Carrier Oil Leak
Oil leaking from cam carrier onto catalytic converter sensor, causing sensor malfunction and warning lights. Owner reports Michael's Subaru of Bellevue confirmed the issue and noted it is a problem across Subaru models per forum posts. Oil leak poses environmental and safety hazard.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from engine cam carrier area; Catalytic converter warning lamp illuminated; Oil leaking onto catalytic converter sensor causing malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Physical inspection by technician at Michael's Subaru of Bellevue confirmed oil leaking from cam carrier onto sensor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner exchanged emails with Subaru of America regarding issue; no resolution documented.
Complete Electrical System Shutdown While Driving
Vehicle lost all electrical power at highway speed (70 mph on I-235), with radio, engine, and all systems shutting down for approximately 2.5 seconds before restarting. Engine dropped to zero RPM. Incident repeated with sputtering and multiple power-offs as driver exited highway. Multiple warning lights illuminated (lane warning, brake light). Described as very scary and easily could have caused accident in heavier traffic.
When: December 10, 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power at highway speed; Radio shut off first, then engine died to zero RPM; Vehicle went dead for 2.5 seconds then restarted; Repeated sputtering and power-offs; Multiple warning lights illuminated on restart
Key Stuck in Ignition / Shifter Plate Guide Failure
Key unable to be removed from ignition after vehicle placed in park. Key would only come out after turning car back on and repositioning multiple times (sometimes 5+ attempts). Dealership diagnosed shifter plate guide needing replacement. Owner found after repair that Subaru issues repair bulletin 16-112-18 (or 16-112-18R) for this known issue and sometimes covers the repair, but owner had to pay $600 out of pocket.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Key will not turn off car when in park; Key stuck in ignition; Unable to remove key without restarting car; Sensor does not recognize vehicle is in park
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter plate guide replacement; cost $600 at dealership. Owner reports Subaru sometimes covers this repair if owner knows to call.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Service Bulletin 16-112-18 or 16-112-18R issued; repair sometimes covered but not automatic—depends on owner awareness and request.
Throttle Loss / Power Loss at Highway Speed
Engine remains on but throttle becomes unresponsive and vehicle loses power/acceleration at highway speeds. Throttle re-engages at irregular intervals ranging from a few seconds to 30 seconds. Problem occurs most frequently after 20–30 minutes of driving and repeats after initiating. Owner had to pull over multiple times due to safety hazard.
When: Unspecified mileage; issue occurs repeatedly, typically after 20–30 minutes of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle completely unresponsive at highway speed; Vehicle loses power and acceleration despite engine running; No dash warning lights displayed; Vehicle slows rapidly until throttle re-engages; Irregular re-engagement interval (seconds to 30 seconds); Repeated episodes after first occurrence
Sudden Loss of Power While Driving
Vehicle lost all power and shut down completely while wife was driving at 45 mph on freeway in straight line. Vehicle was hit from behind by another motorist. Wife suffered no major physical injury. Manufacturer inspected vehicle but was unable to find any problems. Several months later, Subaru issued a recall for sudden loss of power on this make and model, but owner's VIN was not included in the recall.
When: Unspecified date; several months before recall was issued
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of all power; Vehicle shut down while driving; No warning prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found no problems.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for sudden loss of power on 2017 Crosstrek, but owner's VIN excluded from recall coverage.
Transmission Slip and Shudder
Transmission slips and shudders while vehicle is in motion. Complaint filed together with windshield chipping issue but no diagnostic details provided.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips while in motion; Transmission shudders while in motion
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
12042022 - not sure of cause, could be multiple as all systems just shut down for seconds, the car goes dead while driving down I235 at 70mph, first the radio turns off, then the car seemed to go to lower gear rpm to zero and just shut off at a high speed, NO POWER on anything, then about 2.5 seconds later it restated and continued, sputtered off again then powered back off and on again as i got…
I lease a 2017 Subaru crosstrek. The car has been faithfully maintained as per manufacturer specifications and has never been in an accident/experienced any body damage. The rear wheel bearings have failed three times prior to 48k. The left wheel bearing was replaced twice between 48k and 55 k and the right wheel bearing was replaced around 52k. Apparently, this is a common defect and the dealer…
I was operating my 2017 Subaru crosstrek on union st in braintree ma. I stopped at a red light. The light turned green. I then depressed the gas pedal. I heard a bang and the vehicle started to roll back. The transmission had ceased to operate. I luckily was able to navigate to the curb backwards. The transmission did go into park but would not operate otherwise. I had the vehicle towed to the…
The windshield on my 2017 crosstrek chips too easy. I have never had chips on any other vehicles windshield. The glass must be too soft. This has happened to my crosstrek a few times while in motion. My transmission feels like it sometimes slips, and shudders while the vehicle is in motion.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 Subaru Crosstrek?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 47,050 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Subaru/Crosstrek.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.