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, May 12, 2021
WALKED OUT OF STATERS BROS AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE VERY BOTTOM CENTER AND TRAVELED UP 10 INCHES AND OVER TO DRIVERS SIDE 16 INCHES.UP ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS IN THE STORE. NO CRACK PRIOR TO LEAVING MY VEHICLE 25 MINUTES EARLIER.
Visibility/wiper, May 12, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY. AM AWARE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON YEAR AND MODEL, 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND I'VE NOTED CRACK IS "GROWING." LOCAL DEALER CLAIMS TO BE UNAWARE OF A BROADER ISSUE INVOLVING MANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2021
THIS SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR ALMOST NO REASON. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 2/28/21 WITH 19700 MILES. WHILE DRIVING FROM 4-5PM ON 5/7 I DID NOT NOTICE ANY AUDIBLE ROCK HITS OR IMPACTS ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE WERE RECEIVING RAIN IN MICHIGAN AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS DROPPING QUICKLY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT 5PM, AND THERE WERE NO CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD AT THAT POINT. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT 11PM THAT NIGHT, I NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS DEBRIS ON THE WINDSHIELD (I PARKED UNDER A TREE), BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A CRACK DEVELOPING. I DROVE IT FROM 11-11:45. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT ALMOST MIDNIGHT ON 5/7 I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS CRACK WAS GETTING LARGER. ON 5/8, I WENT TO USE THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT NOON, AND THE CRACK WAS NOW 10-12" LONG AND WITHIN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT. I CALLED SUBARU SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES, AND THEY SAID TO CALL MY INSURANCE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A WINDSHIELD ON A NEARLY NEW VEHICLE FROM A CRACK THAT SEEMINGLY APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. MOST OF THE DRIVING WAS ON A CLEAN AND NEW FREEWAY, NO DIRT ROADS. IN THE SECOND PHOTO YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS MAYBE A VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP, BUT I HAVE NUMEROUS SIMILAR CHIPS ON TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK, ESPECIALLY SO QUICKLY. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD ON THIS NEW SUBARU. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2021
I HAVE HAD THREE SIZABLE CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD SINCE 2017, WITH THE MOST RECENT FAIRLY LARGE WHICH WILL PROBABLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE OTHER TWO CRACKS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN ALL CASES, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE DANGER ( IE. FOLLOWING A TRUCK) . THEY ALL OCCURRED ON TWO LANE ROADS TRAVELING AT OR UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT.
Visibility, May 4, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 20, 2021
THE FIRST TIME, I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD, I WATCHED THE CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD JUST AS FAST AS IT HAPPENED. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, IT SEEMED EACH ROCK THAT HIT MY WINDSHIELD TURNED INTO A FULL-LENGTH CRACK.
Visibility, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO SEPARATE CRACKS HAD FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. ON THE FIRST OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE MIDDLE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED HOWEVER, ANOTHER CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACKS OBSTRUCTED HER VIEW WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. *DT
Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2021
I BOUGHT THE CAR 25 JUNE 2020 AND 3 DAYS INTO IT I GOT A CHIP GOING THEU AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH I CALLED SAFELITE AND THE INS COMPANY AND THEY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AND OUT OF NOWHERE I GET A CRACK COMING UP FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD ON DRIVERS SIDE GOING UP TO WIPER AREA THE CAR SAT FOR 2 DAYS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE I DROVE MY OTHER VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS FLORIDA HEAT IS BRUTAL I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY WINDSHIELD YOU CANT SEE IT WELL UNLESS YOUR IN DRIVER SEAT OR CLEANING WINDSHIELD AD I AM OCD
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2021
A MINOR ROCK HIT ON HIGHWAY CAUSES WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM FROM BOTTOM NEAR WIPERS ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE OF SCREEN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2021
A CRACK FORMED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THERE WAS NO CHIP OR OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD FORM A CRACK. IT IS A BIG S-SHAPED CURVE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEET THE ROOF DOWN TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 6 WEEKS FROM A PRIOR CHIP AND CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2021
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT DEVELOPED RANDOM SMALL CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD IN 4 DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I NOTICED SPECS ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD NOT COME OFF UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE TINY CHIPS IN THE GLASS. I HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THOSE GOT THERE I WAS NOT IMPACTED BY ANYTHING FLYING AT MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX ONE CHIP THAT GOT BIG ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CRACK THE OTHER 3 I WAS TOLD BY THE SAFELIGHT EMPLOYEE THAT I WOULD GET LOTS OF THEM AND I DIDN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY CHIPPED OR CRACKED DEEPER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE SUBARU GLASS IS VERY THIN AND CHIPS AND CRACKS EASILY HE HAS MANY SUBARU'S THAT COME IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE WAY THE CHIPS ARE STARTING OUT VERY TINY AND HOW THEY ARE SPACED OUT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING SUBARU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE AND RECALL AND REPLACE. MY HUSBAND JUST PURCHASED A CROSS TREK AND NO SURPRISE AFTER INSPECTING HIS WINDSHIELD WE FOUND TWO VERY TINY SMALL CHIPS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON HIS WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD TO TRY AND KEEP MY WINDSHIELD COOL AND OUT OF THE SUN TO TRY AND PREVENT ANYMORE CHIPPING OR CRACKING. IF I HAD KNOWN THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAD THIS DEFECT I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 6, 2021
THE WINDOW CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE STARTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT WINDOW. THERE ARE ALSO MULTIPLE CRACKS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE WINDOWS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 31, 2021
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 02/09/2021. ON 03/31/2021 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON FURTHER EXPLORATION, I NOTICED THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE TOP-CENTER, DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES AND THEN ANOTHER 6 INCHES TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH OR ACCIDENT IN THE SIX WEEKS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2021
DRIVEN THE 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN THE MORNING TO WORK AND PARKED IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE. NOTICED A BIG CRACK ON THE UPPER MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN GETTING BACK TO THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2021
SUBRAU OUTBACK WINDSHIELDS ARE PRONE TO CRACKS IN THE CENTER TOP AREA. SMALL ROCKS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE 100% OF THE TIME IN THIS SAME AREA. REPLACED ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD AND CURRENT WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED CRACKING IN THE SAME LOCATION.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 2, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CITY HIGHWAY 90 IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MS (55MPH) AND MY WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ABOUT SIX INCHES FROM FROM THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR WHERE THE FRAME MEETS WITH THE CAR OVER. I DID NOT GET HIT BY ANYTHING. IT WAS LIGHTLY RAINING, I HAD MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST SETTING. IT WAS ABOUT 47 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AND I HAD MY DEFROSTER ON SPLIT WITH MY FEET SET TO 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2021
FOR NO APPARENT REASON MY OUTBACK'S WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CRACK STARTS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND EXTENDS UPWARD ABOUT 14 INCHES AND SIDEWAYS ABOUT 10 INCHES. IT OCCURED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AT A SKI AREA. IT WAS SNOWING AND ABOUT 28 DEGREES.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2021
AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM RUNNING ERRANDS NOTICED WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HIT DURING THE TRIP
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 19, 2021
ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2018 AND WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED (STATIONARY) IN MY ENCLOSED COVERED GARAGE TO FIND A GIANT CRACK THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD WITH NO DISCERNABLE CAUSE.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2021
1) WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. 2) THE ADVANCED COLLISION DETECTION/ LANE TRACKING SYSTEM CALLED EYESIGHT FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. 3) BATTERY HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED AND REQUIRED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. CAR WAS PARKED IN AB ENCLOSED GARAGE MOST OF THE TIMES WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. 3) CURRENTLY, A FLAT TIRE INDICATOR IS ON EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED. NOTE: EXCEPT FOR THE WINDSHIELD CASE, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ONLY REMEDY PROVIDED WAS A BATTERY REPLACEMENT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 1, 2021
LARGE CRACK APPEARED TODAY FOR NO REASON. NO DAMAGE TO CAUSE IT.
Visibility, Feb 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 24, 2021
WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM STONE CHIP. HAD TO BE REPLACED AND EYESIGHT SYSTEM RECALIBRATED. SECOND WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED. HAS 2 STONE CHIPS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD REPLACED PRIOR TO OWNING THIS CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 11, 2021
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 55MPH, MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 11 INCHES. NO ROCK SEEN TO IMPACT THE WINDOW.