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, Mar 13, 2020
ON FEB, 22, 2018 WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON I35 FROM NORMAN TO PURCELL, OKLAHOMA THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF OUR 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THE GLASS REMAINED IN THE FRAME OF THE CAR BUT WAS FRACTURED INTO INNUMERABLE PIECES. THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF US WAS GREATER THAN 100 YARDS AND I WITNESSED NO DEBRIS AIRBORNE BEFORE THE GLASS FAILED. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION SEVERAL PEOPLE INSPECTED THE WINDSHIELD YET NONE OF US COULD DETERMINE A POINT OF IMPACT,EITHER BY THE DIRECTION OF THE FRACTURES OR BY AN INDENT IN THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
MY FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER, RIGHT WHERE THE WINDHIELD HEATING ELEMENT IS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BUT NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD, I JUST HEARD A POP AND SAW THE CRACK APPEAR AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IT WAS HALF WAY UP. ENDED UP REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WITH AN AFTERMARKET ONE AFTER SUBARU OF AMERICA SAID THEY WON'T COVER IT.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND SPREAD AT MULTIPLE POINTS DURING MODERATE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION. CRACKED CONTINUED TO SPREAD OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME THE CRACKS FORMED AND WAS PARKED WHEN THEY SPEAK. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS 75 DEGREES F WHILE DRIVING AND APPROX 40-55 F OUTSIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL ROAD WITH AND NOT HIT BY ANY DEBRIS OR STONES - , WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING FROM LOWER EDGE SECTION AND THEN ACROSS WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2020
PARKED THE CAR WITH NO CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WARMED UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND FOUND A CRACK WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED. CRACK IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE WIPER BLADE AND SPANS IN THREE DIRECTIONS RIGHT WHERE THE WIPER DEICER IS LOCATED. BECAUSE OF WHERE IT IS LOCATED IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NORMAL DRIVING SUCH AS A ROCK OR DEBRIS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHICO SUBARU (2522 COHASSET RD. CHICO, CA) WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD HOWEVER, SOMETIME THEREAFTER THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD ALSO SUSTAINED A SIMILAR CRASK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
IRONICALLY ON THE SAME DAY THAT I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED PER RHODE ISLAND INSPECTION LAWS, I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER THE INSPECTION. I CAME OUT A WHILE LATER TO FIND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED IT, THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. IT HAS NOW EXCEED 2 FEET IN LENGTH. I WAS BAFFLED AS TO HOW THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED BUT THEN I SUBSEQUENTLY READ ABOUT HOW THERE WERE LAWSUITS BEING FILED AGAINST SUBARU BECAUSE THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHERS WHOSE WINDSHIELD WERE CRACKING FOR NO REASON.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
I PARKED MY CAR IN MY APARTMENT'S PARKING GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 24". THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD FAILING, NOR DID ANY OBJECT STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT WAS PARKED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I NOTICED IT AFTER GETTING READY TO TRAVEL HOME AFTER WORK. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A COVERED GARAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I PURCHASED NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK ON AUGUST 2017. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WITHOUT ANY REASON AFTER TWO WEEKS. I FOUND IT IN THE MORNING. I CALLED TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO PAY OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. TO SAVE MONEY, I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ON SAFELIFE AUTOGLASS. I PAID AROUND $500, BUT MY EYESIGHT WAS NOT ADJUSTED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AFTER DISCOVERING A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR CAR PORT AND WAS CRACK FREE WHEN LAST DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
STRESS CRACK ON WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER TO MIDDLE. THERE IS NO CHIP MARK FROM ROAD DEBRIS. JUST STARTED TO CRACK. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER AND HAS TRAVELED MORE THAN 15 INCHES TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK IS UNKNOWN
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
CRACKED WINDSHIELD REPLACED, WIPERS HAVE NOT WORKED AS WELL AFTER
Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE, UNDER THE WIPER BADE AREA. APPEARS TO ORIGINATE IN THE 'FRIT' AREA OF THE WINDSHIELD. OCCURRED AROUND APRIL, 2019.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
TWO EPISODES OF SPONTANEOUS CHIPPING/CRACKING. FIRST CHIP HAPPENED IN THE LOWER RIGHT CORNER WHEN PARKED IN PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE FIRST 3 MONTH CHECK-UP. WE CHOOSE NOT TO REPLACE IT AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SPIDERING AND IT DID NOT AFFECT DRIVER VISION. SECOND CRACK HAPPENED TODAY, WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE, AT AROUND 40K MILES. THIS IS A LARGE CRACK THAT IS ARISING FROM THE MEDIAL BOTTOM ASPECT OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 29, 2020
I BOUGHT MY SUBARU OUTBACK NEW FROM THE DEALER IN JUNE OF 2017. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES. THE FIRST CRACK, IN 2017 WAS THE RESULT OF A BLACK WALNUT FALLING FROM A TREE IN WHICH THE CAR WAS PARKED UNDER. THE CRACK WENT FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THE SECOND CRACK IN 2018 WAS FROM GRAVEL ON A HIGHWAY EXIT WHEN THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 35MPH. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND GREW ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ACROSS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN LESS THAN A DAY. THE THIRD CRACK HAPPENED IN JANUARY 2020, THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON RT 95 WHEN THE DRIVER HEARD A POP AND A CRACK APPEARED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER HAD NOT SEEN AN OBJECT HIT THE GLASS NOR HEARD ANYTHING GREATER THAN THE SMALL POP OF THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 28, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND I'M NOT SURE WHY. STARTED SMALL; STRETCHED COMPLETELY ACROSS WITHIN TWO DAYS. DRIVING IT WITH THE CRACK DIDN'T FEEL SAFE. HARD TO SAY IF IT WAS HAPPENING WILE THE CAR WAS MOVING OR WHILE IT WAS PARKED SINCE IT HAPPENED SLOWLY.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2020
UNEXPLAINED WINDSHIELD CRACKING STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW BY THE DEFROSTER.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 24, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A HORIZONTAL CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY A YEAR AND HALF INTO OWNERSHIP. NOTHING WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE IN THE EVENING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR CARPORT. IT WAS OBSERVED WHEN WE WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING (JULY 10, 2018). SAN DIEGO WAS EXPERIENCING AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURES. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT OUR OWN COST, AS THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. A SECOND CRACK IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE HAS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS LATER. AGAIN, THERE WAS NO CRACK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE EVENING. NOTHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD IN THE DAYS PRIOR. IN THE MORNING, WE CAME OUT TO AN IDENTICAL HORIZONTAL CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD (JANUARY 21, 2020). THE TEMPERATURE WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE WINTER AVERAGE (LOW OF 45F). AS WE HAVE MOVED CITIES (SAN DIEGO TO PORTLAND), WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AS WE ALSO HAD A SAFETY RECALL THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT IT WASN'T THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AT EXACTLY THE SAME PLACE. THE MECHANIC DID NOT THINK THAT ANYTHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE ASSISTANT MANAGER MOTIONED FOR HIM TO BE QUIET AND THEN TRIED TO CONVINCE MY WIFE THAT IT WAS A ROCK.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 101 IN PASO ROBLES , HEARD A LARGE POP. AFTER STOPPING NOTICED A CRACK APPROX 8 INCHES LONG ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT HALFWAY UP APPARENTLY EMANATING FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. DID NOT SEE AN OBVIOUS ROCK HIT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 20, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD IN OUR 2017SUBARU OUTBACK HAS FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THREE YEARS. A CRACK INITIATED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CORNER WIPER DEFROST ZONE, AND GREW UPWARD AND INTO THE CENTRAL PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. SEE PHOTO. THIS HAPPENED UNDER ROUTINE LOW SPEED IN-TOWN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON EXCEPT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS ON. A CRACKED WINDSHIELD IS A SAFETY RISK. SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFICIENCIES IN THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN AND MATERIALS IN OUTBACKS AND OTHER SUBARU MODELS OF THIS VINTAGE, AND THE ATTENDANT SAFETY CONCERNS THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS REPRESENT. EVIDENCE OF A PERVASIVE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD PROBLEM AND RELATED SAFETY CONCERNS INCLUDES SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN #12-19215R AND NUMEROUS ASSOCIATED CLASS ACTION SUITS INCLUDING LUONG V. SUBARU OF AMERICA AND POWELL V. SUBARU OF AMERICA. SUBARU'S SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO REPLACE BROKEN DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS WITH NEW DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS OF THE SAME TYPE THAT ARE PRONE TO BREAK AGAIN, OR TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY. SUBARU SHOULD OFFER FREE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS FOR THE LIFE OF AFFECTED VEHICLES, OR IMPROVE THE WINDSHIELD DESIGN AND MATERIALS TO ACTUALLY FIX THE CRACKING AND DAMAGE SUSCEPTIBILITY ISSUES.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2020
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY POPPED OR CRACKED IN MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6 LIMITED. IT CAUSED A DISTRACTION FOR ME WHILE DRIVING AS I THREW UP MY HANDS TO SHIELD MY FACE. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 5 INCHES NEAR THE LOWER PORTION OF THE MIDDLE/PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR AND HAD THE DEFROST ON IN COLD WEATHER, WHICH I SUSPECT MAY HAVE SPURRED THE FIRST CRACKING, AND THE CRACK SPREAD HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I SUSPECT THE GLASS IS DEFECTED. IT COULD MAYBE ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE POSITIONING OF THE DEFROST VENTS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BLOWING ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS QUOTED OVER $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR AS THEY WILL HAVE TO RECALIBRATE MY SUBARU EYESIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM AS WELL WHEN REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WITH NEW GLASS. I HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MULTIPLE SPONTANEOUS CRACKS IN THEIR WINDSHIELD PER YEAR, WHICH WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY VEHICLES WARRANTY. I SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR THE WARRANTY AS WELL. I WOULD LOSE MONEY ON MY CAR IF I TRADED IT IN AT THIS POINT. IT SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR SUBARU'S MISTAKES AND DISHONESTY IN PRODUCING DEFECTED GLASS. I CAN PROVIDE A RECEIPT FOR REPAIR ONCE COMPLETED.