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: visibility/wiper
205 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD MONTHS BEFORE SEPTEMBER. THERE WAS A CHIP BUT NO CRACKS, COME SEPTEMBER THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE SPOT WHERE THE PEBBLE HIT. PICTURES ARE SHOWN BELOW. THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS ONLY 4-5 MONTHS OLD AND IN SEPTEMBER 8 MONTHS OLD WHEN THE CRACKING STARTED. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD CHANGED THROUGH MY INSURANCE AND SATELLITE. THE WINDSHIELD HAS HAD PEBBLES HIT IT WHILE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO CRACKS OR CHIPS.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 28, 2020
I HAD A CRACK REPAIRED, IT ISN'T GOOD THOUGH.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Nov 28, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE ON WINDSHIELD GOT CRACKS ABOUT 2 FEETS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ON I5 NEAR SACRAMENTO CITY 6/26/2020 DRIVING TOWARD LA
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WITH NO CHIPS VISIBLE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 28, 2020
AS I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE ROAD A TINY PEDDLE OFF A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE WINDSHIELD CREATING A VERY SUBTLE CRACK. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A HUGE CRACK ALONG THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AFFECTING DRIVER VISIBILITY. I CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE PICTURES BECAUSE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY THE SUBARU DEALER. THE TOTAL COST WAS OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS VEHICLE COMPLAINT WEBSITE AT THE TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
IN LATE 2019 I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY WINDSHIELD. I WASH MY CAR 2X A WEEK AND PARK INSIDE A GARAGE EVERY NIGHT. I STARTED SEEING LIGHT CRACKS FORMING ON THE WINDSHIELD OUT OF THE BLUE. FAST FORWORD TO 2020 I NOW HAVE MULTIPLE FEINT CRACKS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH THE FEAR IT WILL CRACK MORE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IT'S UNKNOWN WHETHER IT WAS DUE TO ROAD TRAFFIC AS WE DIDN'T NOTICE IT RIGTHT AWAY. THE ORIGINAL CRACK STARTED BELOW THE DASHBOARD EYESITE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 27, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND PITS VERY EASY AND LOOKS LIKE IT WILL CRACK WITHOUT MUCH FORCE
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. I AM ON THE 4TH WINDSHIELD NOW. CRACKS SHOW UP BELOW THE WIPER AND SPREAD STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THEN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. ANY LITLE DING CAUSES A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM...
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2020
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED WITH EYESITE SAFETY CAMERAS/DRIVER ASSIST. WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY NOSED UP TO THE GARAGE. NO CRACK WHEN I LEFT WORK TO HEAD HOME. NOTHING HIT WINDSHIELD ON THE WAY HOME. IF YOU'VE HAD A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT YOU'RE WINDSHIELD, BELIEVE ME, YOU KNOW IT! SCARES THE CRAP OUT YOU. NOTHING LIKE THAT AT ALL HAPPENED. NEXT MORNING I GET IN CAR TO HEAD TO WORK AND THERE'S A LONG CRACK COMING UP FROM THE VERY BOTTOM TO ABOUT EYE HEIGHT AND THEN TURNS INWARD TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE GLASS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AROUND OR ON THE CAR. THERE ARE NO KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EITHER. MY GARAGE IS ABOUT 200' FROM THE STREET WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED. SMALL TOWN RESIDENTIAL ROAD TO A DEAD END, VERY, VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. I HAVE A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 103K MILES, AND THAT HAS HAD NO ISSUES WITH CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD. STILL HAS ITS ORIGINAL GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Oct 6, 2020
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON 10/05/2020 AND PARKED WITH NO CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD, UPON RETURNING TO VEHICLE THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK CROSSING WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS HAVE STRUCK VEHICLES WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2020, crash
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER A COLLISION TO A DEAR. THE CRACK HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY NORMAL WORK COMMUTE DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AT 47MPH'NO ROCKS SEEN OR OTHER CARS PRESENT'MY WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED 12 INCHES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LAST WEEK'IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SPOT'THE WINDSHIELD GOT A LARGE CHIP IN IT FROM A TINY PEBBLE FLUNG UP BY A TRUCK. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM SUBARU DEALERSHIP 1 MONTH AGO. IT SEEMS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT I WILL HE INJURED FROM THE FAULTY WINDSHIELD IN AN ACCIDENT, FROM A ROCK, OR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SUBARU DENIED THERE WAS IN ISSUE DESPITE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN NEW JERSEY, AND TONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. DESPITE RESEARCH, I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY MODEL OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK ON 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK REQUIRING THOUSANDS IN REPAIR. THE REPAIR WINDSHIELD CONTAINS THE SAME DEFECT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A ROCK OR ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM HAD KICKED UP A ROCK THAT HIT HIS PASSENGER WINDSHIELD. DUE TO THE ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, A CRACK FORMED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 3 DAYS, THE CRACK SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND THAT THE SIZE OF THE ROCK THAT HIT HIS WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THAT SEVERE OF DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CRACK THAT FORMED OVER THE WINDSHIELD HAD OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO DIRECTED TO A WINDSHIELD SUPPLIER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 4 MONTHS TO HAVE HIS WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 342.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 30, 2020
8/28/20-WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE, I NOTICED A REFLECTION OF A SMALL PINPOINT "CHIP" IN MY WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE A PILLAR. OVERNIGHT THE "CHIP" GREW INTO A LARGE HORIZONTAL, VERTICAL AND THEN HORIZONTAL CRACK THAT INTERFERES WITH THE DRIVER'S LINE-OF-SIGHT. THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED PREVIOUSLY ON 1/2/20 AND WAS REPLACED AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR OVER $1000. SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER 11297463 FILED ON 1/6/20.. THIS IS THE 2ND CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN LESS THAN 9 MONTHS!
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED BY ITSELF WHILE NOT MOVING. I GOT IN THE CAR TO START IT AND HEARD A CRACK. IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD BEHIND THE TRIM AND WENT UP THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 10 INCHES. SENSE THEN IT HAS SPREAD.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2017 OUTBACK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2017 AND IN THE THREE YEARS OF OWNING IT, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO CRACK FOR NO REASON OR BY THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF LOOSE GRAVEL. EACH TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS I HAVE BEEN IN MOTION, ON A HIGHWAY GOING SPEEDS OF ABOUT 60MPH. THE CRACK WILL START SMALL AND THEN SPREAD VERY RAPIDLY WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE CRACK FILLED BEFORE IT SPREADS.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2020
TWO CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ABOUT ~10 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. CHIP # 1 IS ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND AROUND~ 5 MM SIZE. CHIP #2 IS IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SEAT WITH A CLEAR CRACK ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF VEHICLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF ~ 1 CM. THERE IS A CONCERN FOR THESE CHIPS TO CONTINUE CRACKING AND DESTROYING THE WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKFALL WITNESSED/NO STONES HITTING WINDSHIELD WITNESSED. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES. ALSO NOTICED A FEW OTHER LITTLE CHIPS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL FOR CRACKING. AWARE OF SUBARU WINDSHIELD LAWSUIT, SADLY WAS UNAWARE OF IT BEFORE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE INSPECTED WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO PURCHASE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MAY 2017. ON OR AROUND 13 APRIL 2018 MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS I WAS DRIVING. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD INSIDE OR OUT. I DID HAVE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST HEATER ON AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS WELL ABOVE FREEZING (SF BAY AREA COLD - WHICH REALLY ISN'T COLD AT ALL). I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPICAL LOW CENTER CRACK WHICH PROGRESSED UP THE GLASS OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED MY CLAIM. I INITIATED A CLAIM THROUGH MY OWN INSURANCE. (STATE FARM). I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO SAID THEY WOULD COMPENSATE ME THE DIFFERENCE AFTER THE REPAIR. I GOT THE WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER A LENGTHY FIGHT OVER THE PHONE WITH A GROUP SUB CONTRACTED TO HANDLE THE CLAIM FOR STATE FARM. THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME CHEAP (NON-OEM GLASS) I HAD TO FIGHT FOR OEM GLASS, STATING OVER AND OVER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM WHICH THE MANUFACTURER MANDATES OEM GLASS (WHAT A HEADACHE !!!) I GOT THE WORK DONE - FINALLY, WITH OEM GLASS. DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP (BY YET ANOTHER SUB-CONTRACTOR). THE DEALERSHIP THEN RE-CALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. SOFA REIMBURSED ME THE DIFFERENCE. (SHOUT OUT TO [XXX]WHO LISTENED WITH EMPATHY THEN REIMBURSED MY DEDUCTIBLE - THANK YOU) THE WHOLE AFFAIR WAS A REAL HEADACHE - I WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS NEGLIGENT OR TRYING TO GET OVER. (I AM SUPER TENACIOUS - GOD HELP ANYONE WHO IS LESS SO, OR CANNOT BE PERSUASIVE -PUSHY). AND NOW I AM LEFT WITH A SOUR TASTE AND FINGERS CROSSED THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM NOT CONFIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I HAD A HUGE CRACK STARTING AT PASSENGER SIDE GOING TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JUNE OF 2019. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTTOM AND BEGAN INCREASING IN SIZE AND STARTED CURVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN JUNE OF 2019, I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK JUST BEHIND MY REAR VIEW MIRROR COMING DOWNWARD. OVER A FEW DAYS TIME, IT INCREASED IN SIZE, CURVED AND SPIDER WEBBED. I HAD THAT WINDOW REPLACED BY A COMPANY WHO REPLACES WINDOWS RECOMMENDED BY THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY USED A SUBARU WINDSHIELD WHEN THEY REPLACED THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN JUNE OF 2019. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2020
THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. ABOUT 10 DAYS LATER AFTER THE REPAIR, THERE WAS ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE AS THE PREVIOUS ONE. IT APPEARED RANDOMLY OVERNIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR