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.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER LEFT UP TO THE RIGHT. NO KNOWN IMPACT. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THERE WAS AN IMPACT FROM THE OUTSIDE.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING WITHOUT ANY CAUSE. IT CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN A PARKING GARAGE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TODAY, WEATHER WAS PERFECT (SUNNY, 65 DEGREES F), AND IT CRACKED AGAIN, WHILE PARKED, ONLY HOURS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT IN ALMOST THE SAME SPOT..
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN NOTICED A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE
Visibility/wiper, Jan 4, 2021
THERE WAS A HOT DAY AND MY CAR WAS EXPOSED TO THE SUN ON THE PARKING SPOT. WHEN I LEFT MY CAR THERE WAS NO ANY CRACK. WHEN I CAME BACK I FOUND THE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD ON SUBARU OUTBACK 2017 WAS CRACKED ALL OF A SUDDEN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD ON THE SUBARU OUTBACK 2017 WAS CRACKED 2 TIMES AND BOTH THE TIME I HAD TO PAY FROM MY POCKET TO GET IT REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
CRACKED WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR THE WINDSHIELD BEING HIT BY ROCK, ETC. UPON INSPECTION IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HIT BY A SMALL ROCK.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY. WHEN THE AT SELECT LEVER (SHIFT LEVER) IS PUT INTO PARK THE KEY ONLY ROTATES INTO ACC AND NOT INTO LOCK. THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED LIKE THIS. THE VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK IN IT ON LOWER PART PF DRIVERS SIDE OUT OF NOWHERE
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
I HAD TO REPLACE ORIGINAL BATTERY ON MY 2017 OUTBACK AT 12,079 MILES JAN 2019 AND THEN AGAIN ON 12/2020 AT 24,431 MILES. I WAS TOLD BATTERIES ONLY LAST 2 TO 4 YEARS IN ARIZONA. I RECENTLY READ OF THE BATTERY LAWSUIT REGARDING ELECTRICAL CHARGE ISSUES WITH 2017 OUTBACK'S.
Electrical system, Jan 1, 2021
BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPLACES BATTERY, AND IT'S DEAD WITHIN 3-4 MONTHS. OR THEY RECHARGE, AND AGAIN, DEAD IN A FEW MONTHS.
Steering, Power train, Wheels, Dec 31, 2020
WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN DURING SNOW FALL WITH A FULLY PACKED CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPERIENCED THE REAR END "GHOST WALKING" OR "STEERING" OR "PULLING" TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO DRIVE 40MPH WHILE TWO-WHEELED DRIVE CAMRYS, CIVICS, VANS, ETC. PASSED US BY. GROWING UP IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN, I'M NO STRANGER TO WINTER CONDITIONS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. I DON'T THINK ALL-WHEELED DRIVE VEHICLES MAKE ME INVINCIBLE, BUT THEY DO MAKE DRIVING IN WINTERY CONDITIONS BETTER. AFTER OUR TRIP, I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SUBARU DEALER AND THEY SAID AT 37K MILES, THE SUSPENSION LOOKED GREAT, ALIGNMENT LOOKED GREAT, AND THAT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND NEW TIRES (TIRES ARE AT 4/32 AND HAVE EVEN WEAR AND TEAR). I ASKED TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE TECH WORKING ON MY CAR AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WERE RECOMMENDING NEW TIRES, THE CURRENT TIRE CONDITION WOULD NOT CAUSE WHAT I WAS DESCRIBING. MY WIFE AND I THEN RESEARCHED AND CAME ACROSS SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS WITH OTHER DRIVER'S EXPERIENCING THE SIMILAR ISSUES, BUT WITH PRIOR YEAR MODELS. I CALLED SUBARU'S MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD MAKE NOTE OF MY COMPLAINT, BUT THAT IF THE SUBARU DEALER TECH SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FINE OTHER THAN SUGGESTING NEW TIRES, I SHOULD GET NEW TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FINE. SUBARU ALSO SAID THERE WERE NO "CAMPAIGNS" OPEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WERE SORRY I "FELT LIKE I HAD THIS EXPERIENCE" AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. HERE'S A LINK TO A FORUM, WHERE THE PEOPLE SEEM TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON: HTTPS://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/THREADS/2005-2009-GHOSTWALKING-ABNORMAL-WINTER-HANDLING-FIXES.30747/PAGE-2. WE PLAN TO BUY NEW TIRES, BUT ARE WILLING TO OFFER OUR CAR UP FOR TEST DRIVING TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTRACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER WHO OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER HILL SUBARU (4710 MILLER TRUNK HWY, DULUTH, MN 55811) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY BATTERY, REMOTE STARTER, SENSOR AND REAR LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2020
ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED ABOUT 30 MONTHS AFTER CAR PURCHASED (NEW CAR). THERE WAS NO WARNING-JUST DEAD AFTER PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. PURCHASED NEW DURACELL BATTERY FROM SAMS CLUB ON 1-24-20. REPLACEMENT BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER PARKED OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE ON 12-24-20. BATTERY FAILED IN 11 MONTHS. NO PREVIOUS WARNING, WEATHER WAS NORMAL BOTH INSTANCIES.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2020
I'M ON MY 4TH BATTERY IN 3 YEARS. BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD MULTIPLE TIMES, LEAVING ME STRANDED IN DIFFICULT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. CANNOT OPEN LIFT GATE TO ACCESS THE CARGO AREA WHERE I KEEP MY ROAD SAFETY REFLECTORS, FLASHLIGHT, TIRE PUMP, ETC. STRANDED IN DARK PARKING LOT 1 TIME. AS A RESULT OF THE RELIABILITY CONCERNS I HAVE HAD TO BUY A PORTABLE CHARGING UNIT TO HAVE IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 27K MILES ON IT. THERE ARE INSTANCES OF MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS RESULTING IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU. THIS NOT ONLY IMPACTS THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY, IT ALSO IMPACTS THE RESALE VALUE.
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2020
MULTIPLE TIMES THE TAILGATE HAS SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED WHEN WE WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM ISSUES LIKE RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN, INCLEMENT WEATHER DAMAGING THE INTERIOR AND THE THEFT OF CONTENTS OF THE CAR ARE ISSUES. THUS FAR, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT THERE WAS A LEAST ONE INCIDENT REPORTED WHERE A VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED (SEE ATTACHED COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS.)THIS IS NOT A CASE OF ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATING THE KEY FOB - IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE ONLY KEY WAS IN A PURSE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE PASSENGER WITNESSED THE CAR TAILGATE JUST SPONTANEOUSLY OPENING. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR AFTER BEING AT AN APPOINTMENT, WHILE STAYING AT A MOTEL, AND WHEN THE CAR WAS PACKED FOR A TRIP THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, CREATING A DEADLY HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLES. WE HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS OF THIS MODEL. THE LOCAL DEALER INITIALLY DISMISSED THE PROBLEM AS A CASE OF ACCIDENTALLY PRESSING THE KEY. WE DISPUTED THIS AND THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AND IT DID NOT. SOMETIMES IT IS TWO MONTHS BETWEEN INCIDENTS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND SAFETY HAZARD THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CORRECT, PERHAPS NECESSITATING A RECALL. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY CONVERSATION AMONG SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IT'S JUST A SINGLE ISOLATED CASE AS FAR AS OUR LOCAL DEALER IS CONCERNED. I AM SUBMITTING A DOCUMENT THAT SHOWS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS (AND NOT ALL) THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE BEEN REPORTING FOR YEARS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO UNDERLYING REASON. NO OBJECTS HIT IT; NOR EXTREME TEMPS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 21, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH NO VEHICLE NEAR ME AT THE TIME, TALKED TO DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM NEW, THEY SAID NO RECALLS FOR BAD WINDSHIELD SO I WAS ON MY OWN TO REPLACE.
Electrical system, Dec 21, 2020
BATTERY INTERMITTANTLY DISCHARGES NESSITATING RECHARGING. I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE THINKING PERHAPS THE OEM (2YRS OLD) WAS FAULTY. THEN I READ THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL SUBARU.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 15, 2020
HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD IN MY WIFE'S 2017 OUTBACK 2 TIMES. BOTH TIMES THE SAME SITUATION: SMALL PEBBLE CHIPS WINDOW AND A LONG AND EVENTUALLY GROWING CRACK EXTENDS ACROSS WINDOW.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 10, 2020
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE DRIVER HEARD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. DRIVER NEVER SAW ANY ITEM STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD. BECAUSE EYESIGHT SENSORS HAVE TO BE RECALIBRATED AFTER A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, THIS INCIDENT COST ALMOST $1000 TO REPAIR.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 10, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED UNEXPECTEDLY YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2020
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. OUR BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED PREMATURELY NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FACTORY BATTERY QUICKLY AFTER PURCHASING IT. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START AT ALL. MAJORITY OF TIMES THIS OCCURRED, WE HAD LEFT ON THE ACCESSORIES LESS THAN 5MIN. WHILE WAITING IN OUR CAR BEFORE THE ENTIRE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE BATTERY DRAINED WITH NO EXPLANATION. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS ISSUES IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER CAR WE HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS COMMON TO LEAVE ACCESSORIES ON FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME WITHOUT DRAINING THE WHOLE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IN A NEW CAR. AFTER BECOMING FRUSTRATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S RESPONSE, WE LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SUBARU OUTBACKS FROM OUR YEAR. APPARENTLY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FLAWED. WE PLAN TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT RELIABLE AND WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SO MANY TIMES IT IS NOT A SAFE CAR TO OWN. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST HAVE A FIX AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2020
ON DECEMBER 7, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AFTER A BRIEF SHOPPING TRIP. THE BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A PORTABLE BATTERY STARTER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE FROM MY RESIDENCE TO THE STORE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LONG. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED UPON STARTING UP MY VEHICLE WAS IT DREW HARD FROM THE BATTERY, ALMOST NOT STARTING. I AM NOT NEW TO THIS ISSUE, AS IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4.5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. THE BATTERY THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE, PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016, WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 808 MILES. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER, SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUES. THE BATTERY WOULD WORK OKAY AT BEST, THEN START TO DRAW HARD ON THE BATTERY, THEN DIE COMPLETELY. WHEN TESTED, ALL OF THE BATTERIES WERE SUPPOSEDLY SUFFERING FROM A BAD CELL. 3 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT BATTERY WAS PURCHASED JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY IN 2019, AS THE LAST WARRANTY BATTERY WAS IN 2017. THIS BATTERY IS SUPPOSEDLY A NEWER, UPDATED MODEL WITH MORE CCA. I DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTS ON IN THE CAR, OR ANY ELECTRONICS PLUGGED IN DUE TO THIS CONSISTENT ISSUE. THIS RECURRING ISSUE HAS LEAD TO A LACK OF TRUST IN THE VEHICLE STARTING, HAVING STRANDED MY FAMILY SEVERAL TIMES. TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE, I KEEP A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER AND JUMPER CABLES IN THE VEHICLE.
Visibility, Dec 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS INSPECTED AND REPLACED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.