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: vehicle speed control
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2017, crash
ON 8 JUNE 2017 I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A MEDICAL SUITE WHEN MY LEASED THREE MONTH OLD 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 1,000 MILES SUDDENLY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE JUMPING THE CURB AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL AND SUITE DOOR AFTER DISPLACING A THRESHOLD COLUMN BY TWO INCHES. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, THE "EYESIGHT" FUNCTION DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND MY CHEST SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL, MY KNEES CRASHED INTO THE DASHBOARD. ON 2 JUNE, LESS THAN A WEEK EARLIER, THE CAR HAD DONE THE SAME UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BUT NOTHING WAS HIT AT THAT TIME. AFTER THE INITIAL AMBULANCE ER VISIT, PLUS TWO MORE, MY PHYSICAL INJURIES CONSISTING OF ACHES AND PAINS, BRUISES, XRAYS, IV TREATMENT FOR PERSISTENT HEADACHE AFTER THE ACCIDENT, ARE INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED TO THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE. NOT TO MENTION THE ECONOMIC BURDEN AND FRUSTRATING SITUATION THIS LEAVES ME IN. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND SENT IN PICTURES OF THE VEHICLES AND DAMAGED BUILDING. THEY IN TURN REFERRED MY COMPLAINT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO WAS VERY DILIGENT IN PERFORMING AN INVESTIGATION AND KEEPING ME UPDATED WITH THE PROCEDURE. HOWEVER, ALMOST TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIMS THEIR RESULTS INDICATE "MISAPPLICATION OF THROTTLE AND BREAK" CLEARLY PUTTING THE BLAME ON ME, WITHOUT MENTIONING ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST INCIDENT, AND THE LACK OF RESPONSE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE AT LEAST 34 REPORTS OF SIMILAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF OUTBACK VEHICLES, AND AT LEAST 70 RELATED TO THE SUBARU FORESTER ON CARPROBLEMZOO.COM SINCE 2000. I NOW FIND MYSELF WITH A BEAUTIFUL BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT I WILL PAY THE LEASE FOR, BUT DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING OUT OF FEAR THAT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WILL REOCCUR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 6, 2017
CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INPUT FROM DRIVER.WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN I WAS SLOWING DOWN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY RAVED UP TO 4000 K, WHEN I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL ENGINE REVVED TO 7000K. I PUT CAR BACK IN GEAR AND DROVE CAR APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER MILE BACK TO MY HOME USING THE BRAKES TO CONTROL SPEED OF CAR AND CALLED THE DEALER. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE IT REMAINS.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2016
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH THE ENGINE REVVING. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES PREVENTING A COLLISION WITH THE CARE PARKED IN THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO TRY TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND THE ENGINE ROARED, OVER REVVED, SLOWED, AND OVER REVVED A SECOND TIME BEFORE FINELY SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM/CRUISE CONTROL.