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, Aug 19, 2020, crash
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK, CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION AN ACCIDENT BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY AN INCREASINGLY HIGHER VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL NATIONAL POWER GRID AND VEHICLES BEING PRODUCED WITH A HIGHER DEGREE OF COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE PROPER SHIELDING.*JS
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2020
THE CAR BATTERY DIES VERY QUICKLY. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR, AND IT ONLY TOOK LESS THAN AN YEAR BEFORE THE CAR STARTED DYING FOR NO REASON. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. WE TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE CANNOT FIND WHAT IS DRAWING THE ENERGY. NOW, IF WE LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE AT THIS POINT, AND I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A TRAVEL "JUMPER" KIT IN ORDER TO NOT GET STRANDED.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 16, 2020
BATTERY DRAINED
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR BOX FAILED TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SUBARU OF KENNESAW DEALER LOCATED AT 905 ERNEST W. BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,700.*DT*DT CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR.*JB
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2020
THE CAR DIES VERY QUICKLY. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW, AND IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE CAR STARTED DYING FOR NO REASON. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. WE TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE CANNOT FIND WHAT IS DRAWING THE ENERGY. NOW, IF WE LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE AT THIS POINT, AND I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A TRAVEL "JUMPER" KIT IN ORDER TO NOT GET STRANDED. IT SEEMS VERY RANDOM HOW IT WILL DIE. IT CAN JUST BE SITTING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT (FROM 5 PM TO 8 AM), WITH NOTHING RUNNING, NO DOORS OPEN, NO LIGHTS ON, BUT WILL BE FULLY DRAINED.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2020
THE BATTERY DOES NOT LAST LONG AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD ITS CHARGE. IT HAS COMPLETELY LOST ITS CHARGE MULTIPLE TIMES FROM THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT. IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE CAR HAS HAD A DRAINED BATTERY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY LOST ITS CHARGE WHILE STATIONARY. AT SOME TIMES IT IS OFF AND WILL NOT TURN ON. OTHER TIMES IT HAS BEEN ON AND PARKED AND SUDDENLY TURNS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT DETERMINE THE REASON.
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2020
BATTERY DIED IN 2019 AFTER OWNING CAR FOR ~2YRS AS IT FAILED BATTERY LOAD TEST. BATTERY REPLACED APRIL 2019. IN JULY 2020, THE CAR FAILED TO START (STATIONARY) AGAIN REQUIRING A CHARGE / JUMP. TOOK CAR IN TODAY ON 8/8/20 AND IT FAILED BATTERY LOAD TEST AGAIN AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS AND SUBARU NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS THIS CAN LEAVE CONSUMERS IN BAD/DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2020
CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION ONCE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND PUT IN PARK. REFERENCE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2020
BATTERY DRAINED WHILE CAMPING 3 NIGHTS IN A REMOTE LOCATION, EVEN THOUGH NO LIGHTS (INCLUDING INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS) OR OTHER ACCESSORIES (E.G., RADIO) WERE USED. WE DID HAVE THE POWER TAILGATE OPEN AT TIMES, WHICH WE NOW UNDERSTAND IS BADLY DESIGNED TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. DEALER (AND SUBARU CORP) DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE EXPLANATION FOR WHY A BATTERY WOULD DRAIN (ESPECIALLY WHEN ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD). SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING A YEAR LATER, AFTER WHICH WE INSISTED (REQUIRING CONSIDERABLE ARGUMENT) ON A LARGER BATTERY. BUT SAME THING (DRAINED BATTERY, DESPITE NO USE OF AUX ELECT) JUST HAPPENED ON ANOTHER 3-DAY CAMPING TRIP THIS PAST WEEK. (IN ALL 3 CASES, CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2-3 DAYS WITH NO LIGHTS OR RADIO USED, BUT WITH POWER TAILGATE OPENED AT TIMES FOR ACCESS TO CAMPING EQUIPMENT.)
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2020
THE SUBARU HAS LEFT ME STRANDED TWICE NOW WITH BATTERY FAILURE. THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR THE BATTERY FAILURE. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND IS HORRIBLY INCONVENIENT. ONCE, I WAS ALONE IN A PARKING LOT AT NIGHT (A WOMAN) WITH NO CELL PHONE. ANOTHER TIME IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AND, MOST RECENTLY I HAD MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME AND WE WERE STRANDED FOR AN HOUR. IT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH NOTHING LEFT ON.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2020
WENT TO START MY CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CAR NOT STARTING.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2020
2017 OUTBACK, EXPERIENCED A FAULTY BATTERY TOOK TO DEALER IN DECEMBER 2019 AND WAS REPLACED AT SUBARU OF GLENDALE. 7/18/2020 DEAD BATTERY ISSUE AGAIN WITH THE SECOND NEW BATTERY. HAVE TO GET IT JUMPED MONDAY TO GO TO THE DEALER AGAIN, CAR HAS APROX. 25,000 MILES+- CAN'T CHECK EXACT MILES BECAUSE NO POWER. CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE TODAY WAITED 3 HOURS AND THE SERVICE NO SHOWED.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY SUBARU LOCATED AT 55 KINDERKAMACK RD, EMERSON, NJ 07630, (201) 261-0900, WHERE SHE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BOTH TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN *BF*JB *TR
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2020
OUR PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK'S BATTERY DIED A FEW DAYS AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH 41,000 MILES, MARCH 2020. WE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE DID OURSELVES. WHEN WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALER TOLD US THEY COULD NOT CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE US ANY MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN WE FOUND THE BATTERY DEAD AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED ON REGULAR BASES AND IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT WE DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING OPEN.
Electrical system, Jul 4, 2020
BATTERY DRAINS REPEATEDLY, SOMETIMES TWICE IN A DAY. ALSO REAR GATE HAS TWICE BEEN OPEN IN THE MORNING AFTER LOCKING CAR AT NIGHT AND STORING FOB WELL AWAY FROM VEHICLE. LASTLY, CAR NO LONGER CHARGES MY IPHONE AND HAS 'BLOWN' TWO CHARGING CABLES, ONE BRAND NEW.
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2020
WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND I TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY IT WILL NOT RELEASE. HAVE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BACK UP, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATE FORWARD, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2020
THE BATTERY HAS WEAKENED. I WOULD DRIVE TO CHARGE IT. TODAY THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER WINDOW STILL DOES NOT WORK WITH THE CONTROL. I HAVE LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2020
THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DRAINS VERY QUICKLY AND NEEDS A JUMP START. HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WE HAVE HAD TO BUY A JUMP START KIT. DEALER SAID THE BATTERY IS FINE AND CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SAMS CLUB AND A NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAVE BOTH SAID THE BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
WHEN STATIONARY, THE REAR LIFT GATE OPENS WITHOUT BEING NEARBY OR ACTIVATING SWITCH. ONE TIME AFTER THE GATE OPENED, IT APPARENTLY DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY. AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE CAR BATTERY DIED. THE BATTERY WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, GATE HAD TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Electrical system, May 30, 2020
I BELIEVE THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAW ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF MY 2017 OUTBACK (WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2016). IT HAS DIED REPEATEDLY AND RANDOMLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT, FAILING TO START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS. MORE TIMES THAN NOT NOW, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I'M IN THE BACKCOUNTRY (SUCH AS 05/28/2019), SOMETIMES AWAY FROM CELL SERVICE. INITIALLY, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO I HAVE CONTINUED TO MONITOR IT. SOMETIMES, IT IS "JUST" A DEAD BATTERY THAT CAN BE JUMPED (LIKE 10/21/2018), BUT ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL START MOMENTARILY BUT THEN THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY (03/08/2020). SOMETIMES IT IS SO DRAINED THAT THE CAR FOB WON'T EVEN WORK. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP (DEALER OR MIDAS), THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE ANY ISSUE - "THE ALTERNATOR TESTS WELL, BUT SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY." I HAVE EVEN PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST 5 YEARS, AND IT FAILED IN UNDER A YEAR. I KEEP MY INTERIOR LIGHTS OFF AND DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING EXTRANEOUS PLUGGED INTO THE CAR, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS - IT HAPPENED TWICE YESTERDAY (5/29/2020). I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE FOR OUTBACK OWNERS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS AND I HOPE THAT SUBARU IS ABLE TO DO SOMETIME TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM - THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WAS TO HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT. *TR
Electrical system, May 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BATTERY DRAINED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A CLICKING SOUND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ISLAND SUBARU (111 QUINTARD STREET, STATEN ISLAND NY, 10305, (718) 697-6000 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THE BATTERY FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE DRIVEN MORE TO ALLOW THE BATTERY TO BE RECHARGED DUE TO COMPUTERS IN THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY RUNNING EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,003.
Electrical system, May 25, 2020
DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING BATTERY DISCHARGE AND GOING DEAD. BATTERY NEEDS REPLACED AND KEEPS GOING DEAD.
Electrical system, May 18, 2020
I AM 1 OF MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL RENDERING A DEAD BATTERY. REPLACING BATTERY AND CONSTANTLY CHARGING AT THIS POINT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR VEHICLE TO RUN. AT THIS POINT THE BATTERY IS DEAD EVERY MORNING IN THE GARAGE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LISTENED TO THE RADIO AND 10 MINUTES LATER I GO TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD. AFTER I GET IT GOING THE GATE WILL BEEP CONTINUOUSLY WHILE IT IS STILL CLOSED AND I HAVE TO RESET THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO GET THE BEEPING TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED FOR POWER NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. AND YET THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, May 15, 2020
AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 45 MINUTES. SO, I JUMPED IT AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THIS TRIP, I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE. I WAS TOLD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE OK, BUT IT STILL NEEDED CHARGING. THE CAR DID START ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER RETURNING FROM THIS TRIP. HOWEVER, THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THIS WITH A SUBARU DEALERSHIP, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, WILL TRY TO KEEP THE OUTBACK IN SERVICE WITH A TRICKLE CHARGER, AND JUMP STARTS AS NECESSARY. *TR