This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru WRX steering problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 6 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru WRX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 provides a service procedure to address isolated customer concerns of a rattling sound identified as coming from the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box (steering rack) assembly. The repair (when applicable) involves installation of a new tension spring for the worm gear to reduce / eliminate the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a service procedure to address isolated customer concerns of a rattling sound identified as coming from the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) rack assembly. The repair involves installation of a new tension spring for the worm gear to reduce / eliminate the condition. It should be noted the condition is NOT detrimental to the operation of the EPS system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a service procedure to address isolated customer concerns of a rattling sound identified as coming from the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) rack assembly. The repair involves installation of a new tension spring for the worm gear to reduce / eliminate the condition. It should be noted the condition is NOT detrimental to the operation of the EPS system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Subaru wrx. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized, the contact stated that he then steer the wheel to the right, the steering wheel was ok, then the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact stated that he jerk the wheel a little bit to the right, the vehicle hit a pothole, the vehicle brushed a little of the godrail and…
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…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 Subaru WRX?
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 steering problem on the 2017 Subaru WRX?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 44,500 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/WRX.
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.