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
233 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jul 5, 2022
The windshield spontaneously cracked while driving at 60 mph. The crack is from the lower passenger side and extends approximately 8 inches. Did not notice a rock or object hitting the glass.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 15, 2022
In February of 2020, while in lock down for the pandemic, my windshield started to crack on the passenger side below the seal in the black area. It continued to spread. I took my car into the dealership once lockdown had lifted and I could get an appointment. I was aware of the issues with the windshield and they did a pin test confirming it was not due to a rock but rather the windshield itself. I was informed they would not replace the windshield and I would need to pay for it myself. My car warranty expired during COVID and the dealership was closed for much of that Spring due to local enforcement.
Visibility, Jun 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 19, 2022
Driving in traffic stop and go and about at 25mph a very small stone smaller then a pea hit the lower passenger side windshield. it cracked immediately from the very bottom up about 5 inches and then towards the driver side about 8 inches. the next two days it cracked about 6 more inches. Safelite fixed it but cost me $200. 1-800-subaru-3 started a claim and told me to go to dealer. dealer looked at it and documented it but did not offer to fix even after I told them this is a issue with Subaru windshields. i took pics of the crack before it was replaced
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2022
A spontaneous crack began at the bottom, center of my windshield about a week ago and began inching up and over. It is continuing to grow while I try to figure out where and when to have it replaced. I live in the mountains and this is not an easy trip to the dealer. While searching for a dealer to replace the windshield, I found the problem with spontaneous cracks in other Outbacks.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2022
Windshield randomly cracked along bottom edge. Rocks were not heard hitting windshield and extreme temperatures were not occurring at the time of fracture. Crack as extended and branched within days of appearing and has cause visibility issues. Glass repair shop as confirmed the crack and is replacing entire windshield now. Dealership was called originally and they confirmed this is unfortunately an ongoing thing in similar models.
Visibility, Feb 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle that was parked in the driveway under the shade of a tree, he noticed that the driver's side of the windshield was cracked. The contact stated that the crack was irregular and was a foot long. The contact stated that he looked around but could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the windshield would be replaced at his own expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2021
Driving on highway, noticed a chip on windshield, has run approx 12" since then. In 35 years of driving, I have not experienced a windshield crack run like this.
Visibility, Dec 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a crack started forming on the driver’s side windshield and moved towards the center of the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was not struck by an object to cause the crack to form. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,500. Subaru was made aware of this defective windshield and installed a NEW windshield at NO COST to the contact on December 27, 2021. The installation was accomplished by Don K Whitefish in Whitefish, MT on their R/O number 3602221/1. No further action is required.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Dec 14, 2021
My battery has died seven times. I have received three battery replacements. Never a full solution. Windshield wipers never work properly either, despite changing brands.
Visibility, Dec 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon entering his vehicle, he noticed a horizontal, foot long crack had formed on the driver’s side windshield without incident. The contact stated that the crack obstructed his vision while driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2021
Windshield just started cracking across from drivers side to center. Windshield would craxk further just sitting in garage overnight. Looks like a river running across Windshield. No apparent rock or chips as cause.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2021
The windshield cracked while driving on the freeway in the winter. I had been driving for approximately half an hour when the front windshield cracked from the rearview mirror location downward. I didn't notice a rock or other object hitting the windshield that would have initiated the crack. The crack has continued to spread since then and is to the point where I am having to replace my windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2021
Windshield chipped very easily due to small rock. In cold weather, the chip spread across into a whole crack. Safelite has stated that the windshield needs replacing.
Visibility, Aug 27, 2021
The contact owns the 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the front windshield developed a crack starting from the driver’s side to the center of the windshield. The contact stated that neither a rock nor an object hit the windshield for the crack to appear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,192.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2021
Upon getting in the car parked in the garage, noticed two cracks symmetrically coming from the base of the center of the windshield extending up about 6 inches. These cracks were not there upon parking in the garage the previous night. These cracks within a day kept moving upward and outward in a curvy symmetrical pattern and are slowly moving since. Upon investigation with a flashlight there is a tiny pin size chip under the wiper that should never have caused such dramatic cracking.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2021
Windshield cracked out of the blue. Very large crack.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 20, 2021
The windshield cracked for no reason while sitting in a Novi, Michigan parking lot on 8/14/2021. The temperature was in the low 80s. No precipitation. This is the second time this has happen on this vehicle. This will be our third windshield since buying the car in 2017.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2021
In October of 2020, I awoke to find that my 2017 Subaru Outback's windshield had cracked during the night. I assumed it might have been struck while I was driving the previous day and then it subsequently cracked as temperatures dropped. A Subaru-recommended company replaced the windshield with an OEM windshield. However, on July 18 of 2021, the windshield cracked again. Thus, not even a year passed before the windshield cracked a second time. Once again, I assumed the windshield might have been struck while driving. After getting a quote on replacing the windshield a second time, the crack spread an additional 12" after the vehicle was parked outside for 4 hours. This time, I photographed the crack. The windshield is scheduled to be replaced on 7/27 so it will not be available for inspection after that date. My concern is that the windshields on this vehicle crack VERY easily in response to impacts that I didn't even notice. The cracks then spread very easily. These cracks obstruct drivers' visibility, which presents a safety risk. Replacing the windshields is very expensive because of the safety features require calibration.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2021
My wife contacted me thru text this morning (Monday the 19th, 2021) asking if I remember seeing the windshield cracked (starting on the passanger side) on Saturday, as thats the last time the vehicle was driven. She had just got in the vehicle to go to work, when she saw it. I told her no and couldn't figure out how it even happened as there is no damage of any sort that would of caused it. Where it started to crack, its not just cracked but deeply separated about half the length of the damage. To the point your fingernail can fit in easily. It craked a bit further later in the day.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 14, 2021
The windshield randomly cracked while parked in a parking lot. The crack propagated over half of the windshield over the course of the day. From the pictures you can see there are no starbursts or evidence of road debris initiating a crack. There are active lawsuits over the weakness of the OEM windshield on Subaru Outback’s. I have not had this inspected by a Subaru dealership.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 8, 2021
I have noticed a crack on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver side. The crack goes from one side to across the bottom of the window, with no evidence of an impact point.
Visibility, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the front windshield cracked without impact at the bottom on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact then stated as the day progressed, the crack continued to grow and spread throughout the front windshield. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Visibility, Jun 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2017 SUBARU Outback. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the windshield fractured at the top middle section of the windshield. The contact stated that the fracture was not caused by an impact. The windshield was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 56,500.
Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2021
SAFETY RISK: WINDSHIELD- 05/14/21 EXITED MY HOME AND WENT TO MY VEHICLE THAT HAD NOT MOVED AT ALL THAT DAY OR THE NIGHT PRIOR. I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT I HAD NEVER NOTICED BEFORE. NO SIGN OF THIS CRACK PRIOR TO 5/14/21.