2017 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 917 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 32 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleDec 19, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Campaign 19V910000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, columnOct 6, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.
If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.
Campaign 16V716000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionAug 3, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Campaign 16V576000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, columnDo not drive until repairedMay 11, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Campaign 16V292000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
391 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Feb 21, 2021
DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSES BATTERY TO DRAIN PREMATURELY AND REQUIRES JUMP STARTS IF VEHICLE IS NOT FREQUENTLY OPERATED.
Electrical system, Feb 19, 2021
I PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R LIMITED ON DECEMBER 27 2016, FIRST BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2019, SECOND BATTERY DIED IN FEBRUARY 14 2021. CAR HAS 30000 ORIGINAL MILES
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2021
1) WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. 2) THE ADVANCED COLLISION DETECTION/ LANE TRACKING SYSTEM CALLED EYESIGHT FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. 3) BATTERY HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED AND REQUIRED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS PARKED IN AB ENCLOSED GARAGE MOST OF THE TIMES WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. 3) CURRENTLY, A FLAT TIRE INDICATOR IS ON EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. NOTE: EXCEPT FOR THE WINDSHIELD CASE, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ONLY REMEDY PROVIDED WAS A BATTERY REPLACEMENT.
Electrical system, Feb 15, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN, ON 2ND BATTERY AND IT KEEPS DRAINING.
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2021
BATTERY KEEPS DYING WITH NO APPARENT REASON. HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES WITH ONLY 52,000 MILES. NOW BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN AFTER ONLY 68 DAYS AFTER LAST REPLACEMENT.
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND BATTERY FAILURE ON THIS CAR WITH LESS THAN 28000 MILES. FIRST ONE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, LESS THAN 1 YEAR AGO.
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING OVERNIGHT. I HAD TO CHANGE MY STOCK BATTERY PRE-MATURELY AND IT JUST DIES OVERNIGHT. THIS IS GIVING ME STRESS AND COSTING ME A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAIN THAT MAKING THE BATTERY GO DEAD EVEN AFTER ALL LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES LEAVING MY CAR STRANDED. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES, TOO MANY TO COUNT. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN FEB OF 2018 LEFT ME STRANDED OVERNIGHT AND CLOSE TO 24 HOURS IN A REMOTE LOCATION IN NORTHERN NEVADA. A NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES LATER, SUBARU REPLACED THE OEM BATTERY (IN FEB 2019). I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES OVER THIS PAST YEAR 2020 IN REMOTE LOCATIONS IN WYOMING AND COLORADO THAT HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
BATTERY DRAINING RAPIDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WOULD FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN EVERY DAY IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME OVER TO HER RESIDENCE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jan 20, 2021
THE REAR HATCH AFTER USE IT APPEARS TO BE CLOSED. IT DOES NOT INDICATE IT IS NOT LATCHED OR CLOSED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. THE BACK UP INDICATOR DID NOT ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS A CAR COMING ACROSS BEHIND ME.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2021
IF THE VEHICLE SITS UNUSED FOR 2-3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN EVEN AFTER 24 HOURS BEFORE. THE BATTERY EITHER HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED IF I AM NOT GOING TO BE DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS, OR JUMPED. I ONLY NOTICED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE, DUE TO COVID 19, EIGHT MONTHS AGO I STOPPED DRIVING MY CAR EVERY DAY. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW BATTERY TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE AND THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING INEXPLICABLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LAST 3 YEARS (SINE JAN 2018 TILL JAN 2021) AND WE HAVE HAD TO DO JUMPSTART EVERY TIME. WE TOOK IT TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIMES HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY RESOLVED. IN JUNE 2020, WE PAID FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN REMOTE PLACES. 1. WE CLOSE THE VEHICLE, LIFT GATE, SWITCH OFF ALL INTERNAL LIGHTS, SHUT ALL DOORS AFTER PARKING THE CAR 2. WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3/4 DAYS. ON JAN 18, 2021 WE AGAIN SENT IT TO DEALER AND NOW THEY ARE REPLACING A NEW BATTERY, HOWEVER THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION ON WHY THE BATTERY IS DRAINING
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
THE CAR BATTERY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEAD TWICE WHEN PARKED IN AIRPORT LOT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ONCE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE HOME GARAGE WHEN IT HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE WE ASSUMED WE LEFT AN INTERIOR LIGHT ON. WE ARE SAD TO DISCOVER THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SUBARU WILL NOT FIX.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DESCRIBED AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD." 1 YEAR LATER, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON IN THE CAR. A NEW BATTERY WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AND 24 HOURS LATER, AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AS THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRAIN THE BATTERY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR OUTBACK VEHICLES FROM 2016-2020 DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, YET SUBARU, "REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM."
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2021
I?VE HAD SEVERAL EXPERIENCES OF THE BATTERY DRAINING ON MY 2017 OUTBACK. MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS AFTER NOT USING THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS. RECENTLY, MY OUTBACK WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AFTER BEING GARAGED FOR THREE DAYS AT A HOSPITAL WHILE I GAVE BIRTH TO MY BABY. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED. I?VE REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE ALREADY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR AND AM ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING ANOTHER DEAD BATTERY WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT?S PRETTY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR 3 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE BURNED THROUGH 2 BATTERIES AND NEEDING A THIRD. VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2021
BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPLACES BATTERY, AND IT'S DEAD WITHIN 3-4 MONTHS. OR THEY RECHARGE, AND AGAIN, DEAD IN A FEW MONTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTRACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER WHO OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER HILL SUBARU (4710 MILLER TRUNK HWY, DULUTH, MN 55811) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY BATTERY, REMOTE STARTER, SENSOR AND REAR LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2020
ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED ABOUT 30 MONTHS AFTER CAR PURCHASED (NEW CAR). THERE WAS NO WARNING-JUST DEAD AFTER PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. PURCHASED NEW DURACELL BATTERY FROM SAMS CLUB ON 1-24-20. REPLACEMENT BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE ON 12-24-20. BATTERY FAILED IN 11 MONTHS. NO PREVIOUS WARNING, WEATHER WAS NORMAL BOTH INSTANCIES.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2020
I'M ON MY 4TH BATTERY IN 3 YEARS. BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD MULTIPLE TIMES, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. CANNOT OPEN LIFT GATE TO ACCESS THE CARGO AREA WHERE I KEEP MY ROAD SAFETY REFLECTORS, FLASHLIGHT, TIRE PUMP, ETC. STRANDED IN DARK PARKING LOT 1 TIME. AS A RESULT OF THE RELIABILITY CONCERNS I HAVE HAD TO BUY A PORTABLE CHARGING UNIT TO HAVE IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 27K MILES ON IT. THERE ARE INSTANCES OF MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESULTING IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU. THIS NOT ONLY IMPACTS THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY, IT ALSO IMPACTS THE RESALE VALUE.
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2020
MULTIPLE TIMES THE TAILGATE HAS SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED WHEN WE WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM ISSUES LIKE RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN, INCLEMENT WEATHER DAMAGING THE INTERIOR AND THE THEFT OF CONTENTS OF THE CAR ARE ISSUES. THUS FAR, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS A LEAST ONE INCIDENT REPORTED WHERE A VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED (SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS.)THIS IS NOT A CASE OF ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATING THE KEY FOB - IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ONLY KEY WAS IN A PURSE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE PASSENGER WITNESSED THE CAR TAILGATE JUST SPONTANEOUSLY OPENING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR AFTER BEING AT AN APPOINTMENT, WHILE STAYING AT A MOTEL, AND WHEN THE CAR WAS PACKED FOR A TRIP THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, CREATING A DEADLY HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES. WE HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. THE LOCAL DEALER INITIALLY DISMISSED THE PROBLEM AS A CASE OF ACCIDENTALLY PRESSING THE KEY. WE DISPUTED THIS AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AND IT DID NOT. SOMETIMES IT IS TWO MONTHS BETWEEN INCIDENTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SAFETY HAZARD THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT, PERHAPS NECESSITATING A RECALL. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY CONVERSATION AMONG SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IT'S JUST A SINGLE ISOLATED CASE AS FAR AS OUR LOCAL DEALER IS CONCERNED. I AM SUBMITTING A DOCUMENT THAT SHOWS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS (AND NOT ALL) THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING FOR YEARS.
Electrical system, Dec 21, 2020
BATTERY INTERMITTANTLY DISCHARGES NESSITATING RECHARGING. I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE THINKING PERHAPS THE OEM (2YRS OLD) WAS FAULTY. THEN I READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL SUBARU.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2020
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. OUR BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED PREMATURELY NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FACTORY BATTERY QUICKLY AFTER PURCHASING IT. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START AT ALL. MAJORITY OF TIMES THIS OCCURRED, WE HAD LEFT ON THE ACCESSORIES LESS THAN 5MIN. WHILE WAITING IN OUR CAR BEFORE THE ENTIRE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE BATTERY DRAINED WITH NO EXPLANATION. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS ISSUES IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER CAR WE HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS COMMON TO LEAVE ACCESSORIES ON FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME WITHOUT DRAINING THE WHOLE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IN A NEW CAR. AFTER BECOMING FRUSTRATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S RESPONSE, WE LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SUBARU OUTBACKS FROM OUR YEAR. APPARENTLY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FLAWED. WE PLAN TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT RELIABLE AND WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SO MANY TIMES IT IS NOT A SAFE CAR TO OWN. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST HAVE A FIX AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2020
ON DECEMBER 7, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AFTER A BRIEF SHOPPING TRIP. THE BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A PORTABLE BATTERY STARTER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE FROM MY RESIDENCE TO THE STORE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LONG. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED UPON STARTING UP MY VEHICLE WAS IT DREW HARD FROM THE BATTERY, ALMOST NOT STARTING. I AM NOT NEW TO THIS ISSUE, AS IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4.5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. THE BATTERY THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE, PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016, WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 808 MILES. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER, SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUES. THE BATTERY WOULD WORK OKAY AT BEST, THEN START TO DRAW HARD ON THE BATTERY, THEN DIE COMPLETELY. WHEN TESTED, ALL OF THE BATTERIES WERE SUPPOSEDLY SUFFERING FROM A BAD CELL. 3 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT BATTERY WAS PURCHASED JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY IN 2019, AS THE LAST WARRANTY BATTERY WAS IN 2017. THIS BATTERY IS SUPPOSEDLY A NEWER, UPDATED MODEL WITH MORE CCA. I DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTS ON IN THE CAR, OR ANY ELECTRONICS PLUGGED IN DUE TO THIS CONSISTENT ISSUE. THIS RECURRING ISSUE HAS LEAD TO A LACK OF TRUST IN THE VEHICLE STARTING, HAVING STRANDED MY FAMILY SEVERAL TIMES. TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE, I KEEP A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER AND JUMPER CABLES IN THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Dec 6, 2020
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK, CONSTANTLY DEAD BATTERY. I'VE HAD THE CAR DUE ON ME MULTIPLE TIMES. IT CANNOT HOLD A CHARGE. DEC 5TH IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND HAD TO CALL TOW COMPANY TO JUMP IT SO I COULD TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS JUST 16,000 MILES.