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, May 10, 2021
THE CAR DRAINS BATTERY RAPIDLY OVERNIGHT. THE IDLE CURRENT IS ABOUT 2 AMPS WHICH IS ABNORMAL
Electrical system, May 10, 2021
THE BATTERY IS PREMATURELY DRAINING AND THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRING A JUMP START. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. THE OEM BATTER FAILED AFTER 18 MONTHS. THE NEW BATTERY (WITH A 5 YEAR WARRANTY) HAS NOW FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 14 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT DUE TO LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR A DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING LEFT PARKED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE.
Electrical system, May 8, 2021
BATTERY DIES..HAD NEW ONE INSTALLED THIS WEEK, SAME PROBLEM. NO RECALL? CANT USE CAR
Electrical system, May 5, 2021
>>>THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUSLY FILED NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE ID 11415232 <<< IN MY PREVIOUS FILING, I DID FORGET TO INCLUDE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2017 OUTBACK 2.5I TOURING VEHICLE. SO, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED AND DISCUSSED IN FILING #11415232, A HANDFUL OF TIMES, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE CONTROL. BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE WINDOW WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE WHEN I USED THE WINDOW CONTROLLER LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADD-ON TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 5, 2021
I BELIEVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: DEC.31, 2020: CAR HESITATES TO START. IT NEVER TURNS OVER SO IT DOES NOT EVER START. WE INSTALL NEW BATTERY & CAR STARTS. MID-JAN.2021: CAR WON'T START FROM PUSH START, BUT DOES START WHEN I USE MY REMOTE START KEY FOB. AFTER THAT, CAR STARTS WITH PUSH START. FEB.-APRIL 2021: CAR HAS A SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT HESTITATES TO START, BUT ULTIMATELY IT DOES START. MAY 1-3 2021: CAR HESITATES TO START, BUT ULTIMATELY STARTS. MAY 4-5 2021: CAR NOT ONLY HESITATES TO START, BUT NOW I HAVE ALL KINDS OF LIGHTS LIT UP ON MY DASH, INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE, EYESIGHT, X-MODE LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT I CANNOT GET TO TURN OFF. IN ALL INSTANCES, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND TURNED OFF. I HAVE PHOTOS & VIDEO BUT CAN'T SEEM TO REDUCE FILE SIZE TO REQUIRED 5MB. SIDE NOTE: UNLESS I AM AT WORK OR RUNNING ERRANDS, MY CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE GARAGE.
Electrical system, May 3, 2021
SOMETHING (ELECTRICAL ISSUE?) IS DRAINING THE CAR BATTERY AND NEEDS A JUMP IF NOT DRIVEN WITHIN A DAY OR TWO. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE WITHIN A YEAR THINKING WE HAD A DEFECTIVE BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THINKING IT COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE.
Electrical system, May 3, 2021
BATTERY FAILURE AFTER 6 MONTHS UNDER NORMAL USE. NO PERIODS OF LEAVING HEADLIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT, ETC. HAD JUST DRIVEN ABOUT 90 MINUTES, TURNED CAR OFF TO RUN INTO A SHOP, RETURNED AND CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK. AAA TESTED IT AND THE ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS 'GOOD' BUT BATTERY REPORTED 'FAIL'.
Electrical system, May 2, 2021
WITH ALL ITEMS OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE DRAINS THE BATTERY IN A SHORT TIME. I HAVE INSTALLED A SWITCH ON THE BATTERY TO OPEN CIRCUIT SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T DRAIN WHILE PARKED. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM BEING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.WHEN I RETURN TO THE VEHICLE I SWITCH BACK TO CLOSED BATTERY CIRCUIT. I NOW CAN START THE CAR AND I AM NOT STRANDED. THIS PROVES TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAWING TOO MUCH CURRENT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH NO ITEMS ON IN THE VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT I WILL PROVIDE THE CURRENT FLOW WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF AND PARKED. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I WILL PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ACTION ON THIS PROBLEM.
Electrical system, May 2, 2021
BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY? I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT & BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER ARE FINE. BATTERY JUST DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. ROADSIDE ASSIST GUY RECOMMENDED FILING A REPORT BECAUSE HE'D HEARD OTHERS HAD HAD PROBLEMS, TOO, POSSIBLY WITH BACK HATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY CAUSING DOME LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY. DID FIND BACK DOME LIGHT ON 1 NIGHT, TURNED OFF LIGHT, AND RECLOSED HATCH. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN DILIGENT SINCE BUT IT WAS DEAD AGAIN THIS MORNING ANYWAY. DATE LISTED BELOW IS MOST RECENT INCIDENT. PREVIOUS 2 INCIDENTS WERE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND ABOUT 2-3 DAYS APART.
Electrical system, Engine, May 1, 2021
IN 2018 THE BATTERY KEPT DYING AND HAD GO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN 2012, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED OFF YESTERDAY MORNING, AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NOW THIS EVENING IS DEAD AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS A VERY LITTLE OVER 32,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS KEOPT IN THE GARAGE ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS WHERE IT IS AS IT IS DYING.
Electrical system, May 1, 2021
THE BATTERY LIFE WAS TERRIBLE AND IT FINALLY DIED ON A TRIP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. THERE SEEMS TO BE A BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE ON THESE CARS THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2021
BATTERY GOES DEAD AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS OF NO USE
Electrical system, Apr 30, 2021
EXPERIENCED FREQUENT OCCURRENCES OF DEAD BATTERY (THAT WAS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD). DEALER REPLACED BATTERY BUT I CONTINUED TO HAVE INTERMITTENT ISSUES OVER THE NEXT YEAR. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER IN AUG 2020 FOR ANALYSIS, WAS TOLD NO ISSUE, IT JUST ISN'T DRIVEN ENOUGH, AND RECOMMENDED BATTERY MAINTAINER INSTALL OR GEL BATTERY. ISSUE CAN OCCUR WHETHER CAR WAS DRIVEN YESTERDAY OR A WEEK AGO. WAS TOLD BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT BATTERY INSTALLED AT DEALER WAS TOO WEAK SO I PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY IN FEB 2021 AND HAVE BEEN MONITORING VOLTAGE. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD A COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY SINCE THEN, THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SLUGGISH STARTS. VOLT METER SHOWS BATTERY DROPS BELOW 12V WITHIN HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. I ENSURE THAT NO LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON, NOR IS ANYTHING PLUGGED INTO CHARGING PORTS, TO MITIGATE DRAINAGE AND BELIEVE THERE IS PHANTOM DRAIN/ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. SUBURBAN IMPORTS OF TROY (1800 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI 48084) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BELOW THE LOAD TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AWAITING THE BATTERY REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE BATTERY FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,900. CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.*JB
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2021
SUBARU DEALER REPLACED DEAD BATTERY 10/2020. CAR PARKED FOR 20 DAYS (NO LIGHTS, ETC WERE ON DURING THAT TIME) AND BATTERY WAS DEAD. DEALER CHECKED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND CLAIMED ALL WAS GOOD. HE DID SAY THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO GO DEAD IN 10 TO 14 DAYS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY (10/2020)
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2021
BATTERY DIED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE VEHICLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO SUBARU IN SAVANAH WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM FIXED. THIS IS AN APPARENT SYSTEM PROBLEM WITH OUTBACKS
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS FAILING. IT'S MY 4TH BATTERY CHANGE AND I CAN FEEL THAT I WILL NEED TO CHANGE THE 4TH ONE SOON.
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2021
I HAD SEVERAL TIMES IN 2020 WHERE MY BATTERY WENT DEAD AFTER LEAVING THE BACK TAILGATE OPEN OR LISTENING TO THE RADIO WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE REPLACED THE BATTERY, FEARING IT HAPPENING AGAIN IN THE COLD WEATHER(12/2020). ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND EITHER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF OR JUST THE ACCESSORY MODE WAS ON.
Electrical system, Apr 22, 2021
MY ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED EARLIER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE (~DEC 19/31K MI) ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER PURCHASING CAR) AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I'VE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY BEING DEAD AND HAVING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WITHIN 1 MONTH (DEC 20) ALONE, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPSTARTED 3 TIMES. I HAD TO BUY MY OWN JUMPER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. IT DOESN'T DIE WHILE ON, IT'S JUST DEAD WHEN I GO TO START IT.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2021
BATTERY FAILED AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY AND THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE ECM PROGRAM. THEY STATED BATTERIES WERE FAILING DUE TO MANY SHORT TRIPS.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2021
SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN AUG 2020, THE BATTERY HAS DRAINED, AND THUS STALLED THE CAR, THREE TIMES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED, FUNCTIONS NORMALLY, AND IS AT FULL CAPACITY. THE ONLY OBVIOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN EACH OCCURRENCE SEEMS TO BE RAISING THE BACK TAILGATE. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING. THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE REMOVING CAMPING GEAR. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED WHILE IN TOWN (BOISE, ID) AND THE BACK WAS OPEN FOR ROUGHLY TWENTY MINUTES. THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR LESS THAN TEN MINUTES. THE BATTERY IS QUICK TO JUMP AND, AGAIN, HAS BEEN CHECKED.
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2021
THE BATTERY DOES NOT KEEP A CHARGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES . SUBARU REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE. PROBLEM PERSISTS. CAR IS STATIONERY WHEN IT OCCURS.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A BATTERY CHARGER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES. NEIL HUFFMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (1220 VERSAILLES RD, FRANKFORT, KY 40601, (502) 695-7500) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 20, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERATURE. ALSO, NO EQUIPMENT OR PEOPLE AROUND WHO COULD HAVE SEEMED TO 'TOSSED' ANYTHING AT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ON THE INTERIOR LAYER OF THE WINDSHEILD AND NOT THE OUTTER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES NOW WHERE MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY DIED WITHOUT ANY ITEMS BEING LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. FIRST TIME WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF ONLY A HOUR OR SO AND COMPLETELY DEAD. I REPLEACED THE BATTERY AND AT THAT POINT THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY AND SYSTEMS TESTED ALL FINE BUT IT WAS SO DEAD, POWER LOCKS WOULDNT WORK WITH THE KEY FOB.
Electrical system, Apr 20, 2021
THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BOTH TIMES AS IT WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE.