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.
Forward collision avoidance, Feb 11, 2021
ON CURVY MOUNTAINOUS ROADS AT OR BELOW POSTED SPEEDS, THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM BRAKES ENGAGE DANGEROUSLY (E.G., TRAFFIC) AND UNEXPECTEDLY. THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS INCORRECTLY SENSING HILLSIDES AS HAZARDS. THE EYESIGHT ALARM IS SIMILARLY TRIGGERED ON STREET INTERSECTIONS.
Structure, Feb 9, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING AND IT SEEMS TO BE WITHOUT ANY REASON. THERE IS A VERY TINY DINK THAT CAN BE SEEN, BUT THE CRACK IS SIGNIFICANT COMPARED TO THE SLIGHT DINK. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO MY NOTICING THE CRACK.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2021
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. BATTERY GOES DEAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 20 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Feb 4, 2021
WINDSHIELD KEEPS BREAKING CRACKS COME UP FROM THE BOTTOM NOT FROM ROCK CHIP. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT IN THE TWO YEARS WE HAVE OWNED IT.
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
THIS IS THE SECOND BATTERY FAILURE ON THIS CAR WITH LESS THAN 28000 MILES. FIRST ONE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, LESS THAN 1 YEAR AGO.
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING OVERNIGHT. I HAD TO CHANGE MY STOCK BATTERY PRE-MATURELY AND IT JUST DIES OVERNIGHT. THIS IS GIVING ME STRESS AND COSTING ME A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAIN THAT MAKING THE BATTERY GO DEAD EVEN AFTER ALL LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES LEAVING MY CAR STRANDED. MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES, TOO MANY TO COUNT. FIRST OCCURRENCE IN FEB OF 2018 LEFT ME STRANDED OVERNIGHT AND CLOSE TO 24 HOURS IN A REMOTE LOCATION IN NORTHERN NEVADA. A NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES LATER, SUBARU REPLACED THE OEM BATTERY (IN FEB 2019). I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES OVER THIS PAST YEAR 2020 IN REMOTE LOCATIONS IN WYOMING AND COLORADO THAT HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED.
Steering, Feb 2, 2021
KEY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION LATELY WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND IT TAKES AWHILE BEFORE IT'S RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE 52K PLUS MILES NOW ON MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2021
SUDDEN BATTERY POWER LOSS MULTIPLE TIMES
Structure, Jan 27, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS RUSTING FROM INSIDE. ISSUE WAS INFORMED TO SUBARU IN 2018 AND IN JAN 2021 THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN WORSE.
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2021
BATTERY DRAINING RAPIDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2021
BATTERY WON'T START FROM PARKING LOT, FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW EVEN WHEN IT WAS ON IT'S FIRST YEAR. WE HAVE TO JUMP START AND ALSO REPLACED IT COUPLE OF TIMES NOW BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.
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.
Seat belts, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT ALL WAY BACK AFTER USE, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO GET STUCK INTO THE DOOR CAUSING DOOR JAMS AND DENTS INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER CAPITOL SUBARU (920 CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CA 95136) WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIRED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,300.
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WOULD FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN EVERY DAY IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME OVER TO HER RESIDENCE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS ABLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jan 20, 2021
THE REAR HATCH AFTER USE IT APPEARS TO BE CLOSED. IT DOES NOT INDICATE IT IS NOT LATCHED OR CLOSED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. THE BACK UP INDICATOR DID NOT ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS A CAR COMING ACROSS BEHIND ME.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2021
IF THE VEHICLE SITS UNUSED FOR 2-3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN EVEN AFTER 24 HOURS BEFORE. THE BATTERY EITHER HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED IF I AM NOT GOING TO BE DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS, OR JUMPED. I ONLY NOTICED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE, DUE TO COVID 19, EIGHT MONTHS AGO I STOPPED DRIVING MY CAR EVERY DAY. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW BATTERY TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE AND THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING INEXPLICABLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LAST 3 YEARS (SINE JAN 2018 TILL JAN 2021) AND WE HAVE HAD TO DO JUMPSTART EVERY TIME. WE TOOK IT TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIMES HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY RESOLVED. IN JUNE 2020, WE PAID FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN REMOTE PLACES. 1. WE CLOSE THE VEHICLE, LIFT GATE, SWITCH OFF ALL INTERNAL LIGHTS, SHUT ALL DOORS AFTER PARKING THE CAR 2. WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3/4 DAYS. ON JAN 18, 2021 WE AGAIN SENT IT TO DEALER AND NOW THEY ARE REPLACING A NEW BATTERY, HOWEVER THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION ON WHY THE BATTERY IS DRAINING
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
THE CAR BATTERY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEAD TWICE WHEN PARKED IN AIRPORT LOT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ONCE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE HOME GARAGE WHEN IT HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE WE ASSUMED WE LEFT AN INTERIOR LIGHT ON. WE ARE SAD TO DISCOVER THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SUBARU WILL NOT FIX.
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2021
2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DESCRIBED AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD." 1 YEAR LATER, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON IN THE CAR. A NEW BATTERY WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AND 24 HOURS LATER, AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AS THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRAIN THE BATTERY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR OUTBACK VEHICLES FROM 2016-2020 DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, YET SUBARU, "REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM."
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.
Electrical system, Jan 9, 2021
I?VE HAD SEVERAL EXPERIENCES OF THE BATTERY DRAINING ON MY 2017 OUTBACK. MOST OF THE TIME IT WAS AFTER NOT USING THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS. RECENTLY, MY OUTBACK WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AFTER BEING GARAGED FOR THREE DAYS AT A HOSPITAL WHILE I GAVE BIRTH TO MY BABY. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED. I?VE REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE ALREADY SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR AND AM ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING ANOTHER DEAD BATTERY WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT?S PRETTY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR 3 YEAR OLD CAR TO HAVE BURNED THROUGH 2 BATTERIES AND NEEDING A THIRD. VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2021
I GOT IN MY PARKED CAR AND NOTICED A "T" SHAPED CRACK RIGHT IN THE CENTER.