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, Nov 11, 2020
BATTERY DIED AT 22928 MILES AND LESS THAN 2 YEARS. DEALER REPLACED, BUT 18 MONTHS LATER, AND SEVERAL JUMP STARTS, WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, WE SPENT $673 TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY.
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2020
BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. ENOUGH TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY OWN JUMP START BATTERY. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO JUMP IT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, SO I BROUGHT IT INTO SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. FROM THAT POINT ON WHEN THE BATTERY DIED I HAD IT JUMPED BY A TOW. NEARING THE END OF MY LEASE THE VEHICLES BATTERY WAS DATE DECEMBER OF 2018. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT JUMPED THIS MORNING, 11/7/2020, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD THIS TIME. WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMP THE VEHICLE, I HEARD THE TAIL GATE TRYING TO ENGAGE AND THEN IT FAILED TO START. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TAILGATE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY TRYING TO OPEN OR CLOSE, BUT IT WASN'T USED WHEN I GOT HOME.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2020
ASCENT DEAD BATTERY ISSUE. PARASITIC POWER DRAW THAT DRAINS BATTERY SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN PARKED OR SHORT USE. SUBARU TESTED BUT WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULT. I KNOW NEED TO USE A TRICKLE CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED. 2 BATTERIES IMPACTED IN THE 8 MONTH COVID19 TIMEFRAME AND IN UNDER 36K MILE USE. NEITHER REPLACED BY SUBARU.
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2020
THE CAR BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR AT LEAST 2 DAYS, ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BEFORE BEING REPLACED ON 1/8/2020. AFTER BEING REPLACED THE SAME PROBLEM KEPT HAPPENING. THE NEW BATTERY WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE WHERE IT WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. SINCE BEING REPLACED THE SAME CONDITION KEEPS HAPPENING, AT LEAST 4 MORE TIME , MOST RECENT AS 11/3/2020. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE SAT IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS NOT BEING USED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2020
BATTERY ISSUES ARE NON STOP! BATTERY DIES ALL THE TIME. WE HAD A NEW 2016 OUTBACK PREVIOUSLY, THAT HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST DIE. WE TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW 2017 OUTBACK AND IT'S EVEN WORSE. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED (NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES), AND ISSUE IS STILL THE SAME. LEAVES US STUCK/STRANDED IN RANDOM PLACES, AND BACK HATCH WILL SOMETIMES BEEP NON STOP EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLETELY CLOSED. WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EMERGENCY JUMP KIT WITH US CONSTANTLY. THE BACK HATCH WON'T OPEN WHEN BATTERY IS DEAD/LOW, WHICH IS CRAZY THAT THERE ISN'T SOME TYPE OF OVERRIDE TO THIS. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS BATTERY ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I'M BEYOND SHOCKED THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN FIXED/ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. WE ARE FED UP WITH THE BATTERY DRAIN, AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN SO WE CAN (HOPEFULLY) PROACTIVELY START OUR VEHICLE (HAVE ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS OFF, RADIO OFF, AIR OFF - ALL SYSTEMS POSSIBLE TURNED OFF). EVEN THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. WE SPEND EXTRA MONEY ON GAS JUST TO RECHARGE THE CAR BY DRIVING IT MORE MILES THAN WE WANT TO. I'M GONNA BE DONE WITH SUBARU AFTER THIS.
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2020
KEYS FREQUENTLY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE UNABLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. THE ENTIRE GEARSHIFTERHAD TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND IT SEEMS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2020
PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE. REPLACED TWICE IN LAST 14 MONTHS. DOES NOT HOLD CHARGE PROPERLY. SEEMS TO BE EITHER UNDERPOWERED OR HAS UNIDENTIFIED DRAIN ON BATTERY.
Visibility, Oct 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE, WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT CALLED A WINDSHIELD REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED REMOTELY AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,800.
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2020
REAR DOOR (TRUNK) DOES NOT STOP CLOSING OR DOES NOT OPENING NOR BY BUTTON ON THE FRONT PANEL, NOR BY REMOTE. BATTERY IS GETTING DISCHARGED AFTER I STOP AND CLOSE IT. I HAVE TO KEEP THE JUMP STARTER BATTERY IN THE CAR AND USE IT EVERY WEEK, SOMETIMES - EVERY DAY. BATTERY ITSELF WAS TESTED GOOD SEVERAL TIMES (I'VE STARTED WITH IT). ALL SURFACES AROUND END SWITCHES ARE CLEAN, THERE A RE NO ALARM INDICATION ABOUT OPEN DOOR. AT DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED ME $80 BUT DID NOT FIND/HELP AT ALL.
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2020
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. NOW ON BATTERY #6, THIRD ONE REPLACED SINCE FEBRUARY 2020. BATTERY EACH TIME WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, REQUIRING ROADSIDE SERVICE. DEALER REPLACES, SAYS THEY DO A SYSTEM ANALYSIS. ROADSIDE TOWING COMPANY EACH TIME TELLS ME THEY SEE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH 2016 - 2020 OUTBACKS. CONTACT WITH SUBARU I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I WAS EVEN TOLD I NEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY FEW DAYS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH OTHER CARS IN MY 56 YEARS OF DRIVING. CAR WAS STATIONARY, FORTUNATELY AT OUR HOUSE SO I WAS NOT STRANDED WITH A DEAD BATTERY. DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS I NOTED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS EXPRESSED. BATTERY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR DEC 14, 2017 - NEW BATTERY ...DATE NOT RECORDED...NEW BATTERY FEB 3, 2020 - BATTERY REPLACED APRIL 6,2020 - BATTERY REPLACED OCT 26, 2020 - BATTERY REPLACED FILE ATTACHED WITH SERVICE REPORT FOR BATTERIES REPLACED IN 2020 FROM SUBARU DEALER
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2020
WITHIN THE PAST 3 WEEKS, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN INTERMITTENT AND RECURRING PROBLEM OF BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING, AND IN "PARK". CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2020
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. I AM ON THE 4TH WINDSHIELD NOW. CRACKS SHOW UP BELOW THE WIPER AND SPREAD STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN THEN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. ANY LITLE DING CAUSES A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT HAD THIS PROBLEM...
Vehicle speed control, Oct 21, 2020
IF IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE SOMETIMES THE CRUIS CONTROL WILL CUT OUT
Service brakes, Engine, Oct 17, 2020, crash
PULLING INTO OUR GARAGE (AS WE HAVE DONE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR), OUR 2017 OUTBACK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL INTO THE BACK WALL OF OUR GARAGE. CAR HAD BEEN STOPPED AT THE PARKING POSITION IN THE GARAGE AND WAS BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. GAS PEDAL WAS NOT TOUCHED (CAR ALWAYS COASTS INTO GARAGE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER, AND FOOT IS ONLY ON THE BRAKE ALWAYS). EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR AND GARAGE. BOTH SUBARU AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE BEEN ALERTED.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2020
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED WITH EYESITE SAFETY CAMERAS/DRIVER ASSIST. WINDSHIELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY NOSED UP TO THE GARAGE. NO CRACK WHEN I LEFT WORK TO HEAD HOME. NOTHING HIT WINDSHIELD ON THE WAY HOME. IF YOU'VE HAD A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT YOU'RE WINDSHIELD, BELIEVE ME, YOU KNOW IT! SCARES THE CRAP OUT YOU. NOTHING LIKE THAT AT ALL HAPPENED. NEXT MORNING I GET IN CAR TO HEAD TO WORK AND THERE'S A LONG CRACK COMING UP FROM THE VERY BOTTOM TO ABOUT EYE HEIGHT AND THEN TURNS INWARD TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE GLASS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AROUND OR ON THE CAR. THERE ARE NO KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EITHER. MY GARAGE IS ABOUT 200' FROM THE STREET WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED. SMALL TOWN RESIDENTIAL ROAD TO A DEAD END, VERY, VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. I HAVE A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 103K MILES, AND THAT HAS HAD NO ISSUES WITH CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD. STILL HAS ITS ORIGINAL GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2020
KEY NOT RELEASING FROM IGNITION AFTER PUTTING CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AS SUBARU PUT OUT SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R. SUBARU STATES "THE CAUSE IS CONTAMINATION OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH INTERNAL COMPONENTS." SO IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT SUBARU HAS NOT MADE A RECALL, COSTING OWNERS $400-$800 TO GET IT REPAIRED IF THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 6, 2020
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON 10/05/2020 AND PARKED WITH NO CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD, UPON RETURNING TO VEHICLE THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK CROSSING WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS HAVE STRUCK VEHICLES WINDSHIELD.
Power train, Oct 2, 2020
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY IS INTERMITTENTLY NOT ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. REAR HATCH WILL ALSO NOT OPEN WHEN THIS OCCURS, AS THE SHIFT SELECT SOLENOID DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO PARK.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2020
DEALERSHIP REPLACED BATTERY TWICE WITHIN 12,000. BATTERY CHECKED ON THREE OCCASIONS BEFORE REPLACED. SECOND BATTERY REPLACED AFTER 12,000 MILES.
Visibility, Sep 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, WHEN A CRACK APPEARED ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS CAUSED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,500.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2020, crash
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER A COLLISION TO A DEAR. THE CRACK HAS BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2020
WINDSHIELD CHIPS/CRACKS WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 18, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY NORMAL WORK COMMUTE DOWN A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AT 47MPH'NO ROCKS SEEN OR OTHER CARS PRESENT'MY WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED 12 INCHES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LAST WEEK'IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SPOT'THE WINDSHIELD GOT A LARGE CHIP IN IT FROM A TINY PEBBLE FLUNG UP BY A TRUCK. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM SUBARU DEALERSHIP 1 MONTH AGO. IT SEEMS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT I WILL HE INJURED FROM THE FAULTY WINDSHIELD IN AN ACCIDENT, FROM A ROCK, OR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SUBARU DENIED THERE WAS IN ISSUE DESPITE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IN NEW JERSEY, AND TONS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. DESPITE RESEARCH, I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY MODEL OR I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK ON 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK REQUIRING THOUSANDS IN REPAIR. THE REPAIR WINDSHIELD CONTAINS THE SAME DEFECT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A ROCK OR ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD.