SubaruWRX STI2017Overview/subaru/wrx-sti/2017/base/

2017 Subaru WRX STI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 WRX STI.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2017 Subaru WRX STI is a passenger car that utilizes 5W-30 API engine oil with a capacity of 4.5-5.4. Its reliability context is situated within a 2008-2019 model history where annual complaints peaked at three in 2008 and reached a low of one in 2010. For the 2017 model year, there are 53 total owner complaints and one recall, with the power train serving as the top complaint area.

Model year2021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5-5.4OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 390 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3369 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5-5.4 of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.0-14.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant part number SOA68V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.0-9.0
Engine OilSynthetic · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5-5.4
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 FT/LBS

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts34.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ IDLE rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 114; Rear: 48
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.047; Rear: 0.047 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.100; Rear: 0.710
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .003; Rear: .0028
Maximum Drum Diameter7.520

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
270.0 ft. lbs.70 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order
47.4 ft. lbs.7.4 ft. lbs
522.0.0 ft. lbs.
651.6 ft. lbs.51.6 ft. lbs
785 degrees85 degrees
840 degrees-45 degrees40 degrees
9Bolts 1and240 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 96,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 model year is notably absent from the federal record, with data jumping directly from 2015 to 2018, which limits direct year-over-year comparison. However, the target-year-specific complaints reveal that Power Train issues (9), Engine (7), and Electrical System (7) were the dominant complaint areas, accompanied by 8 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints. The broader generation trend shows that complaints remained low (0-3) from 2008 through 2015, with recalls holding steady at 2 per year through 2013 before dropping to zero in later years, while TSBs more than doubled from 149 to 249 over the same period—suggesting increasing technical complexity but not necessarily widespread defects. The 2017 model's complaint profile, particularly the crash and fire incidents, falls at the higher end of the generation's complaint spectrum despite the overall low complaint volumes. Given the missing federal data for 2017 specifically and the concerning crash/fire complaint signals, this model year presents elevated uncertainty compared to surrounding years with complete records.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
379
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
53
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 53 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Engine7
Electrical System7
Air Bags3
Exterior Lighting3
Visibility/Wiper3
Steering,Electrical System,Engine2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V522000Exterior Lighting:Back Up Lights:SwitchReported 21/07/2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2021 WRX vehicles. The backup light switch may corrode and become inoperative, which can result in the backup lights not illuminating and the rearview camera… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the backup light switch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 379 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific WRX STI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 WRX STI take?

4.5-5.4 of Synthetic 5W-30 API certification SM, SN, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 WRX STI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.