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
917 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2021
I AM EXPERIENCING REPEATED BATTERY DRAIN LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. THE DEALER SAYS I AM LEAVING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL "ON" WHEN I PARK IT. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I CARRY A STARTER JUMP PACK BATTERY TO GET IT GOING WHEN THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY RATING IS 200 COLD CRANK AMPS BELOW THE STANDARD OF 550 CCA SEEN IN MOST CARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW.
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2021
HAVE THE CAR 5 YEARS, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY NOW TWICE. ONCE AT 2 YEARS AND ONCE A YEAR AND A HALF LATER. I OWN A 2014 VW BEETLE AND STILL HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.
Exterior lighting, Apr 3, 2021
THE HEADLIGHTS (HID WITH AUTO-LEVELING) ARE POINTED DANGEROUSLY LOW. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD FAR ENOUGH. A DRIVER WOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME TO REACT, GIVEN THIS LIMITED ILLUMINATION DISTANCE. SUBARU DEALERSHIPS ARE ADAMANT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET FROM OWNERS, AND THE DEALERSHIPS I'VE MENTIONED THIS ISSUE TO HAVE EXPLAINED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM VERY WORRIED FOR OUR SAFETY AND FOR THE PEDESTRIANS/VEHICLES WE WOULD NOT SEE IN TIME TO STOP. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, AND THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BASICALLY FINE (GIVEN THE SHIFT OF WEIGHT TO THE REAR WHICH HAS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIMED A BIT HIGHER), BUT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE LEVELS OUT, THE ISSUE IS VERY EVIDENT. THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FEATURE SIMPLY DOES NOT COMPENSATE, AS THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT INTUITIVE ENOUGH TO PERFECTLY ACTIVATE AND STAY ACTIVATED EVERY TIME (IT MISREADS SURROUNDING STREET LIGHTS, FOR EXAMPLE, AS ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS VERY EASILY.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2021
THIS CAR HAS HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. SUUBARU PAID FOR THE LAST "AFTERMARKET" BATTERY BASED ON MY REQUEST AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. THE SAFETY ISSUE CAME UP FROM THE LAST PROBLEM: THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THIS TOO IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR IN THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS OWNERS ARE POSTING WORKAROUNDS ON LINE TO GET AROUND THIS PROBLEM. THE WORKAROUNDS GET AROUND THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, BY DISCONNECTING WIRES THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSITION, INCLUDING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. THAT IS CLEARLY A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR WAS MADE APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO. TWO DAYS AGO THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEPLETED AND THE TAILGATE WOULD NOT FUNCTION. I BROUGHT THIS TO SUBARU'S ATTENTION. THIS TIME THEY SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST (I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND BATTERY ISSUES). I BELIEVE THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM IN THIS GENERATION OF SUBARU'S THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE SUBARU OUTBACK FORUM FOR KEY RELEASE PROBLEMS WILL VERIFY MY ASSERTION. SUBARU NEEDS TO COME CLEAN ON THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEFICIENCIES IMPACTING SAFETY AND RELIABILITY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2021
BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED KEY SENSOR ALSO ALWAYS GOES OFF THAT KEY IS NOT IN CAR WHEN DRIVING
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.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2021
I RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH REMOVING MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I COULD REMOVE IT MOST OF THE TIME AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND MESSING WITH THE SHIFTER AND STEERING WHEEL ETC. BUT THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE TIME THAT I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AND COULD NOT AFTER 10 MINUTES, REMOVE THE KEY. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR IN THE PARTIALLY "ON" SETTING. I TOOK THIS INTO SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED ON 25MAR2021. I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THAT SUBARU DECIDED IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. LEAVING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION BECAUSE I COULD NOT REMOVE THEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE 1) AN UN-LICENSED DRIVER OR YOUNGSTER COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING IT; OR 2) A CRIMINAL COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE CAR AND WAITED FOR ME TO RETURN WITH MALICIOUS INTENTIONS AND 3) OR THE CAR COULD HAVE SIMPLY BEEN STOLEN. I ALSO CONTACTED MY INSURANCE REP AND FOUND OUT THAT IF A CAR IS STOLEN WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THAT THIS WOULD BE A NON COVERED CLAIM. EVEN IF IT WAS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO REMOVE THE KEYS.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2021
IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR BLEEDS THE BATTERY. VEHICLE PURCHASE: OCT 2016 I HAD MY OEM BATTERY REPLACED DUE IT IT DYING IN < 3 YEARS. (SEPTEMBER 2019) I REPLACED IT WITH DURALAST GOLD AND THAT ALSO DIED IN 2.5 YEARS. (FEB 2021) DURING THE COLD WAVE IN TEXAS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CHALKED IT UP AS COLD WEATHER AND WENT ON. BUT THIS PAST WEEK IT DIED ALL OF A SUDDEN AND I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED VIA WARRANTY. I RAN A BLUE DRIVER REPORT AND IT SHOWS LOW VOLTAGE ERRORS FOR SOME COMPONENTS. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ONGOING LAWSUIT FOR BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2021
IN HOME DRIVEWAY, CAR WON'T START, BATTERY DEAD. TOWED TO DEALER, BATTERY GOOD BUT NEEDED CHARGE. DEC11, 2020, IN DRIVEWAY, CAR WON'T START, AND CLICKING NOISE IN REAR POWER GATE, TOWED TO DEALER. BATTERY TESTED BAD, REPLACED. ALSO REPLACED PRG MODULE FOR REAR GATE. MAR 8, 2021, IN DRIVEWAY AT HOME, WON'T START. JUMPED AND DROVE TO DEALER...(THIS NEW BATTERY) CHARGED AND TESTED, FAILED, SO THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, AGAIN. "PARASITIC DRAW TEST FOUND 45MA OF DRAW, BELOW MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE DRAW SPECIFICATION OF 70MA. VERIFIED CORRECT AND NORMAL OPERATION. TEST CODE:. K1GKF40-2FCL091"
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2021
WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY SO THAT IT VERY OFTEN DOES NOT START IN THE MORNING.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE, THE OEM BATTERY WAS NOT KEEPING THE CHARGE OR WAS DRAINING DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER OEM BATTERY, QUITE UNUSUAL UNTIL I READ AN ARTICALE ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU. IN 2020, THE NEW OEM BATTERY WAS HAVING ISSUES REQUIRING I JUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME AT THE TIME AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS. THEY TESTED THE 2ND OEM BATTERY AND ADVISED THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND NOT HOLDING THE CHARGE. AT THAT TIME I PURCHASED A DIEHARD BATTERY AND HAVE HAD NO ISSUES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. AS I STATED ABOVE, I HAVE READ THAT SUBARU IS IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD AND WANTED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECORDED.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DIED LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS DEAD.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE ON MY OWN SINCE I WAS TOLD THEY AREN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE BATTERIES DISCHARGE ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED. I HAVE TO USE A BATTERY CHARGER ALL THE TIME OR THE BATTERY IS DEAD WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR. I PUT THE LAST BATTERY IN AROUND AUG 2020.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
DURING FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OUR NEW CAR HAS FAILED TO START MANY TIMES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE CALLED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AS BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AFTER POWER TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATION WHILE PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. BATTERY DISCHARGED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT TRUNK ACTIVITY, SIMPLY PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR GARAGE WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL CHECKED AND TURNED OFF. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY 4/20. BATTERY DISCHARGED AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO (3/06/2021) WHILE HAVING TRUNK OPEN TO CLEAN INSIDE OF CAR. VERY CONCERNED AS TO BEING STRANDED AGAIN DUE TO SAFETY..
Engine, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DRAINS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LEAVES PEOPLE STRANDED.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
VEHICLE'S BATTERY WENT DEAD AT ABOUT 22,283 MILES IN JAN OF 2020. BATTERY WOULD KEEP DYING EVEN AFTER PROPER JUMPING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED OF SOFTWARE ISSUE DRAINING THE BATTERY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID AN UPDATE AND REPLACED BATTERY. A YEAR LATER, VEHICLE IS HAVING BATTERY ISSUES AGAIN (BATTERY KEPT DYING- MULTIPLE TIMES- EVEN AFTER DRIVING TO TRY TO "CHARGE" BATTERY). VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP IN FEB 2021 AT 23,560 MILES. DIFFERENT STATEMENTS WERE MADE BY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDING MORE POWER THAN THE BATTERY COULD PROVIDE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD A SOLUTION, A BIGGER BATTERY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR THEY JUST SWAPPED OUT THE BATTERY WITH THE SAME SIZE BATTERY. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME (TRIED TO HIDE IT). WHEN I CONFRONTED THEM, THEY ADVISED THAT SUBARU DIDN'T HAVE A FIX YET FOR THE DRAINING OF THE BATTERY. SUBARU SAYS I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP BRINGING IN MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY UNTIL THEY COME OUT WITH A FIX. PLEASE NOTE: SUBARU APPEARS TO TRY AND HIDE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NONE OF THIS INFORMATION WAS ON MY SERVICE PAPER WORK AND THEY ONLY SPOKE ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN FEB 2021 AFTER I BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE AFTER READING FORUMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED BEGAN HAVING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES AT NEARLY 15,000 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE VISITING THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WE RETURNED FROM A SHORT HIKE. IT LEFT US STRANDED AND FORCED TO WALK 4.5 MILES TO GAIN CELL SERVICE TO CALL FOR HELP. MY CAR NOW HAS 36,000 MILES AS OF 3/16/21 AND IS ON ITS THIRD BATTERY. THIS TIME I BOUGHT THE BEST BATTERY I COULD FIND AND AM HOPING FOR THE BEST. SOMETHING KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY, LEAVING ME IN ONE BIND AFTER ANOTHER. WITH NO HELP DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHAT MORE CAN I DO???
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY APPEARS TO DRAIN OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME RESULTING IN: P1604 STARTABILITY MALFUNCTION, B2320 BACK &SIDE RADAR LOW VOLTAGE, C1413 ANTILOCK BRAKES VOLTAGE MALFUNCTION, B2500 POWER LIFT GATE VOLTAGE MALFUNCTION, B2A07 TELEMATICS BATTERY CHARGE HISTORY FAULT, B1011 BATTERY POWER SUPPLY CONTROL MALFUNCTION, B1013 IGNITION POWER SUPPLY FAILURE, AND B1014 ACCESSORY POWER SUPPLY FAILURE. ALL IS TAKING PLACE WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN HEATED GARAGE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN. BATTERY NEEDED REPLACEMENT 11/14/2019.
Electrical system, Mar 16, 2021
BATTERY DIED TWICE WHEN CAR WAS INACTIVE FOR ONE WEEK. BOTH TIMES HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2021
OVER 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (NEW WHEN PURCHASED IN FEB 2017) HAVE EXPERIENCED 6 OCCURRENCES (FIRST IN JAN 2018) OF VEHICLE FAILING TO START DUE TO DEAD BATTERY. ORIGINAL BATTERY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN AUG 2019. AS OF TODAY (03/15/2021) BATTERY IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALER AT MY COST. NO OTHER PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY DEALER. VEHICLE ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN PROBLEM OCCURRED. APPROX 42K MILES ON ODOMETER.
Electrical system, Mar 15, 2021
BATTERY FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AFTER PLAYING RADIO 15 MINUTES, AFTER TAILGATE LEFT UP FOR 1/2 HOUR. DEALER REPROGRAMMED ECU TO INCREASE CHARGING, WOULD NOT START AND DEALER SAID ALL NORMAL ON 1/12/19@ 18,301 MILES. I REPLACED IT WITH THE LARGER CAPACITY BATTERY AT AUTOZONE. SINCE THEN NO BATTERY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, I AM STILL AFRAID TO PLAY RADIO OR HAVE TAILGATE UP FOR A LONG PERIOD.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN OUR SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS LAST ONE ONLY LASTED 2-3 MONTHS.
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.
Electrical system, Mar 13, 2021
THE BATTERY DIES IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE IN THE H LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THE SUBARU DEALER HAS CHECKED IT OUT SEVERAL TIMES AND CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG