Vehicle safety record

2017 Subaru BRZ Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2017 Subaru BRZ with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (2) and the driver assistance (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 fire. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2016 has 3 and the 2018 has 1.

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NHTSA data checked yesterday

37/100Safety Index

DMore problems than a typical BRZ year, for its age

#227 most complained-about 2017 vehicle

Complaints: 7
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 1
Fires: 1
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Most common 2017 Subaru BRZ problems

Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2017 Subaru BRZ

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2017 Subaru BRZ. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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7 complaints about the 2017 Subaru BRZ

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Electrical system

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 I never paid much attention to it. However, recently it's been cutting out more frequently than usual. When I took my vehicle in for the 60,000 mile service on 12/12/24, I decided to mention this audio problem to see if the service center...

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could address it while they are working on it. The technician attempted to update the software for the audio unit. After attempting the software update a few times, the technician found the old software was corrupted, causing the system to completely fail. This points to an internal fault in the audio unit. This issue affects my safety in two ways: 1) I can no longer make phone calls via Bluetooth. This poses a safety concern as I would need to take my eyes off the road to make or answer a phone call, which may result in a crash. 2) My backup camera is no longer functional due to the head unit because compromised. This poses a safety concern as I can no longer see as well when backing up or parallel parking. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. I have attached a photo of the invoice from the dealership.

Transmission & drivetrain

-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 speed. -Unknown -Unknown -No warning lights of any kind

AirbagsSeats & seat belts

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 issue regarding airbags or anything related to it. One thing i noticed is whenever the passenger seat is pulled forward or backward, it then turns on.

Other & unknownCrashFire

2017 Subaru brz limited with performance package was involved in an auto accident on 4-5-21. Subject vehicle had stopped and was slowly entering to cross an intersection of a divided highway with a 50 mph speed limit while being struck by an oncoming car at an approximate 90 degree angle which impacted the left front fender near the headlight and bumper area.. Upon impact, the front engine portion burst into flames. The left front door was not impacted and driver was able to escape as flames immediately engulfed...

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the passenger section. What would likely have resulted in a repairable left frontal damage claim actually became a total loss due to the fire destruction. This automobile was purchased new from a subaru dealership on 10-9-17 and the check engine light came on at approximately 3,300 miles. The car was taken to jim karas subaru in memphis, tn for repairs. The engine was removed for repairs. According to mechanic's inspection and repair report 521894s dated 4-20-18, 'for p219a and p119f pulled valve covers and inspection valve clearance and found that all intake and exhaust valve are out of spec and to tight. Replaced valves, all valve shims to bring all intake and exhaust clearances into design spec. Replaced all gaskets and orings as well as high pressure fuel line'. It is noted that subaru may have had fire hazard issues with other repaired subaru brz model years with the fa 20 d boxer engine manufactured for years beginning in 2013. Manufacturer made no adas available on this car.

Fuel system

I was driving on the freeway when the car stalled three times; the check engine light came on, then turned off. White, sweet smelling smoke began coming out of the engine. I pulled over safely. Upon inspection of the car, it was found that the valve spring cover came out of the right side (passenger) engine head. See attachment for a list of all parts affected.

Airbags

The passager air bag turned off with me in the seat

Driver assistance

Check engine light on ,traction control light on, light plates off. Accelerator stuck while driving noise while driving. Car had water damage few days after hurricane katrina. Insurance company (geico) in the repair process declared once total lost then change its mind. I had been off and on the shop since that date. Stuck with this leased car

Subaru BRZ: every year compared

2013 2014 2015 2016 72017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Fires	Top problem	Grade
2020	2	0	0	0	Engine & cooling	A
2019	1	1	0	0	Engine & cooling	B
2018	1	2	0	0	Engine & cooling	C
2017	7	0	1	1	Airbags	D
2016	3	0	1	0	Brakes	B
2015	3	0	0	0	Engine & cooling	A
2014	6	0	0	1	Engine & cooling	C
2013	65	2	0	1	Engine & cooling	F

All BRZ years

2017 Subaru BRZ vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2017 Subaru BRZ	7	0	1	D
2017 Chevrolet Camaro	191	3	13	F	Compare
2017 Dodge Charger	129	4	3	D	Compare
2017 Subaru WRX	53	1	8	F	Compare
2017 Dodge Challenger	50	3	7	C	Compare
2017 Mazda MX-5	11	2	1	D	Compare
2017 Nissan 370Z	5	0	1	C	Compare
2017 Toyota 86	2	2	0	C	Compare
2017 Ford Mustang	0	6	0	C	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2017 Subaru BRZ

Does the 2017 Subaru BRZ have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2017 Subaru BRZ right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru BRZ?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (2), driver assistance (1), electrical system (1).

How many complaints has the 2017 Subaru BRZ had?

7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 10, 2018 and the latest on December 15, 2024. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2017 Subaru BRZ a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 37 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Subaru BRZ year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Subaru BRZ years have the most complaints?

2013 (65), 2022 (10), 2017 (7). See every Subaru BRZ year compared.

What should I do if my 2017 Subaru BRZ has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data