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.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2020
MUTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PUT INTO PARK,REGARDLESS OF WHERE, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE SWITCH CAN BE TURNED OFF, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE GEAR SHIFT HAS TO BE MANIPULATED MULTIPLE TIMES BETWEEN DRIVE AND PARK IN ORDER TO EVER REMOVE THE KEY. THIS MAKES IT QUITE DIFFICULT TO RUN ERRANDS OR TO TAKE A TRIP, NOT KNOWING IF THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THE KEY WILL BE POSSIBLE. AND, OF COURSE, IF THE KEY HAS TO BE LEFT IN, THE POSSIBILITY OF THEFT WOULD BE GREAT. CAR IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. ON ONE OCCASION, I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, BUT THIS RUNS THE BATTERY DOWN. DEALER WHERE I AM TAKING CAR TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL AS THE SUBARU OF AMERICA CONTACT, ADVISED ME THIS IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE AND SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE PUT ON THE RECALL STATUS! THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS SINCE BUYING THE CAR ON JUNE 5, 2020. TODAY'S DATE IS 08/14/20. REPAIR WILL BE MADE MONDAY, 08/17/20.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR BOX FAILED TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SUBARU OF KENNESAW DEALER LOCATED AT 905 ERNEST W. BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,700.*DT*DT CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR.*JB
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2020
THE CAR DIES VERY QUICKLY. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW, AND IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE THE CAR STARTED DYING FOR NO REASON. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE CAR WOULD STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT. WE TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE CANNOT FIND WHAT IS DRAWING THE ENERGY. NOW, IF WE LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES THE CAR WILL DIE. IT IS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE AT THIS POINT, AND I HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A TRAVEL "JUMPER" KIT IN ORDER TO NOT GET STRANDED. IT SEEMS VERY RANDOM HOW IT WILL DIE. IT CAN JUST BE SITTING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT (FROM 5 PM TO 8 AM), WITH NOTHING RUNNING, NO DOORS OPEN, NO LIGHTS ON, BUT WILL BE FULLY DRAINED.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED BY ITSELF WHILE NOT MOVING. I GOT IN THE CAR TO START IT AND HEARD A CRACK. IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD BEHIND THE TRIM AND WENT UP THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 10 INCHES. SENSE THEN IT HAS SPREAD.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2020
THE BATTERY DOES NOT LAST LONG AND DOES NOT ALWAYS HOLD ITS CHARGE. IT HAS COMPLETELY LOST ITS CHARGE MULTIPLE TIMES FROM THE SECOND DAY I OWNED IT. IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE CAR HAS HAD A DRAINED BATTERY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY LOST ITS CHARGE WHILE STATIONARY. AT SOME TIMES IT IS OFF AND WILL NOT TURN ON. OTHER TIMES IT HAS BEEN ON AND PARKED AND SUDDENLY TURNS OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT DETERMINE THE REASON.
Electrical system, Aug 8, 2020
BATTERY DIED IN 2019 AFTER OWNING CAR FOR ~2YRS AS IT FAILED BATTERY LOAD TEST. BATTERY REPLACED APRIL 2019. IN JULY 2020, THE CAR FAILED TO START (STATIONARY) AGAIN REQUIRING A CHARGE / JUMP. TOOK CAR IN TODAY ON 8/8/20 AND IT FAILED BATTERY LOAD TEST AGAIN AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS AND SUBARU NEEDS TO ADDRESS AS THIS CAN LEAVE CONSUMERS IN BAD/DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2020
WON'T LET ME REMOVE THE KEY WHEN IN PARK. DIAGNOSIS IS THE SHIFTER PLATE ASSEMBLY NEEDS REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2017 OUTBACK BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2017 AND IN THE THREE YEARS OF OWNING IT, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO CRACK FOR NO REASON OR BY THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OF LOOSE GRAVEL. EACH TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS I HAVE BEEN IN MOTION, ON A HIGHWAY GOING SPEEDS OF ABOUT 60MPH. THE CRACK WILL START SMALL AND THEN SPREAD VERY RAPIDLY WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES, THUS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE CRACK FILLED BEFORE IT SPREADS.
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2020
CANNOT REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION ONCE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND PUT IN PARK. REFERENCE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2020
BATTERY SEEMS TO BE DRAINING FOR NO REASON. MY CURRENT BATTERY IS 2 MONTHS OLD AND WAS STONE DEAD THIS MORNING(TUESDAY) IN MY CARPORT. I HAD NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE SATURDAY, BUT THE SATURDAY TRIP WAS ABOUT 100 MILES.
Electrical system, Jul 26, 2020
BATTERY DRAINED WHILE CAMPING 3 NIGHTS IN A REMOTE LOCATION, EVEN THOUGH NO LIGHTS (INCLUDING INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS) OR OTHER ACCESSORIES (E.G., RADIO) WERE USED. WE DID HAVE THE POWER TAILGATE OPEN AT TIMES, WHICH WE NOW UNDERSTAND IS BADLY DESIGNED TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. DEALER (AND SUBARU CORP) DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE EXPLANATION FOR WHY A BATTERY WOULD DRAIN (ESPECIALLY WHEN ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD). SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING A YEAR LATER, AFTER WHICH WE INSISTED (REQUIRING CONSIDERABLE ARGUMENT) ON A LARGER BATTERY. BUT SAME THING (DRAINED BATTERY, DESPITE NO USE OF AUX ELECT) JUST HAPPENED ON ANOTHER 3-DAY CAMPING TRIP THIS PAST WEEK. (IN ALL 3 CASES, CAR WAS PARKED FOR 2-3 DAYS WITH NO LIGHTS OR RADIO USED, BUT WITH POWER TAILGATE OPENED AT TIMES FOR ACCESS TO CAMPING EQUIPMENT.)
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2020
THE SUBARU HAS LEFT ME STRANDED TWICE NOW WITH BATTERY FAILURE. THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR THE BATTERY FAILURE. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND IS HORRIBLY INCONVENIENT. ONCE, I WAS ALONE IN A PARKING LOT AT NIGHT (A WOMAN) WITH NO CELL PHONE. ANOTHER TIME IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AND, MOST RECENTLY I HAD MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME AND WE WERE STRANDED FOR AN HOUR. IT HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WITH NOTHING LEFT ON.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2020
WENT TO START MY CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CAR NOT STARTING.
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2020
2017 OUTBACK, EXPERIENCED A FAULTY BATTERY TOOK TO DEALER IN DECEMBER 2019 AND WAS REPLACED AT SUBARU OF GLENDALE. 7/18/2020 DEAD BATTERY ISSUE AGAIN WITH THE SECOND NEW BATTERY. HAVE TO GET IT JUMPED MONDAY TO GO TO THE DEALER AGAIN, CAR HAS APROX. 25,000 MILES+- CAN'T CHECK EXACT MILES BECAUSE NO POWER. CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE TODAY WAITED 3 HOURS AND THE SERVICE NO SHOWED.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY SUBARU LOCATED AT 55 KINDERKAMACK RD, EMERSON, NJ 07630, (201) 261-0900, WHERE SHE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED BOTH TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. *LN *BF*JB *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2020
TWO CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD APPEARED FOR NO APPARENT REASON ABOUT ~10 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. CHIP # 1 IS ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND AROUND~ 5 MM SIZE. CHIP #2 IS IN FRONT OF PASSENGER SEAT WITH A CLEAR CRACK ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF VEHICLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF ~ 1 CM. THERE IS A CONCERN FOR THESE CHIPS TO CONTINUE CRACKING AND DESTROYING THE WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKFALL WITNESSED/NO STONES HITTING WINDSHIELD WITNESSED. SEE ATTACHED PICTURES. ALSO NOTICED A FEW OTHER LITTLE CHIPS THAT HAVE POTENTIAL FOR CRACKING. AWARE OF SUBARU WINDSHIELD LAWSUIT, SADLY WAS UNAWARE OF IT BEFORE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE INSPECTED WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO PURCHASE.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MAY 2017. ON OR AROUND 13 APRIL 2018 MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AS I WAS DRIVING. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD INSIDE OR OUT. I DID HAVE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST HEATER ON AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS WELL ABOVE FREEZING (SF BAY AREA COLD - WHICH REALLY ISN'T COLD AT ALL). I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME TYPICAL LOW CENTER CRACK WHICH PROGRESSED UP THE GLASS OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED MY CLAIM. I INITIATED A CLAIM THROUGH MY OWN INSURANCE. (STATE FARM). I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO SAID THEY WOULD COMPENSATE ME THE DIFFERENCE AFTER THE REPAIR. I GOT THE WORK DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER A LENGTHY FIGHT OVER THE PHONE WITH A GROUP SUB CONTRACTED TO HANDLE THE CLAIM FOR STATE FARM. THEY TRIED TO GIVE ME CHEAP (NON-OEM GLASS) I HAD TO FIGHT FOR OEM GLASS, STATING OVER AND OVER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM WHICH THE MANUFACTURER MANDATES OEM GLASS (WHAT A HEADACHE !!!) I GOT THE WORK DONE - FINALLY, WITH OEM GLASS. DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP (BY YET ANOTHER SUB-CONTRACTOR). THE DEALERSHIP THEN RE-CALIBRATED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM. SOFA REIMBURSED ME THE DIFFERENCE. (SHOUT OUT TO [XXX]WHO LISTENED WITH EMPATHY THEN REIMBURSED MY DEDUCTIBLE - THANK YOU) THE WHOLE AFFAIR WAS A REAL HEADACHE - I WAS TREATED LIKE I WAS NEGLIGENT OR TRYING TO GET OVER. (I AM SUPER TENACIOUS - GOD HELP ANYONE WHO IS LESS SO, OR CANNOT BE PERSUASIVE -PUSHY). AND NOW I AM LEFT WITH A SOUR TASTE AND FINGERS CROSSED THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM NOT CONFIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE ANYMORE. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2020
OUR PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK'S BATTERY DIED A FEW DAYS AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH 41,000 MILES, MARCH 2020. WE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE DID OURSELVES. WHEN WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALER TOLD US THEY COULD NOT CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE US ANY MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN WE FOUND THE BATTERY DEAD AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED ON REGULAR BASES AND IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT WE DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING OPEN.
Electrical system, Jul 4, 2020
BATTERY DRAINS REPEATEDLY, SOMETIMES TWICE IN A DAY. ALSO REAR GATE HAS TWICE BEEN OPEN IN THE MORNING AFTER LOCKING CAR AT NIGHT AND STORING FOB WELL AWAY FROM VEHICLE. LASTLY, CAR NO LONGER CHARGES MY IPHONE AND HAS 'BLOWN' TWO CHARGING CABLES, ONE BRAND NEW.
Power train, Jun 30, 2020
WITH NO WARNING AND DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL RESULTED IN NOTHING. DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED INDICATING 'BRAKE' AND OTHER DISTRACTING MESSAGES. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, BUT WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO CROSS OVER TWO LANES WITHOUT A COLLISION AND MAKE IT PART WAY UP A RAMP. CAR WAS TOWED INTO A SUBARU DEALER WHO FOUND A 'BROKEN VARIATION CHAIN'. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED FOUR DAYS LATER. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE OR ANY WITH THIS TRANSMISSION NOW THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT ALL IT'S ISSUES. WHY DID I NOT HAVE A WARNING SINCE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM? IMPORTANTLY, WHY IN THE MIDST OF A POTENTIALLY LIFE ENDING EMERGENCY DID I NOT GET A MEANINGFUL DASHBOARD WARNING, E.G., 'PULL OFF ROAD', 'POWER LOST', 'TRANSMISSION FAIL'?
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED MY CAR. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I GOT IN THE CAR I HAD A HUGE CRACK STARTING AT PASSENGER SIDE GOING TOWARD DRIVERS SIDE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JUNE OF 2019. TODAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, AND I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE BOTTOM AND BEGAN INCREASING IN SIZE AND STARTED CURVING. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IN JUNE OF 2019, I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK JUST BEHIND MY REAR VIEW MIRROR COMING DOWNWARD. OVER A FEW DAYS TIME, IT INCREASED IN SIZE, CURVED AND SPIDER WEBBED. I HAD THAT WINDOW REPLACED BY A COMPANY WHO REPLACES WINDOWS RECOMMENDED BY THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR. THEY USED A SUBARU WINDSHIELD WHEN THEY REPLACED THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN JUNE OF 2019. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2020
THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. ABOUT 10 DAYS LATER AFTER THE REPAIR, THERE WAS ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE AS THE PREVIOUS ONE. IT APPEARED RANDOMLY OVERNIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED NOW THREE TIMES UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE UNCLEAR. EACH CRACK HAS APPEARED IN THE LOWER CENTER ZONE OF THE CAR AND EACH HAS REACHED A DIAMETER GREATER THAN 6 INCHES.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. WE WOKE UP TO FIND APPROXIMATELY A 12 INCH L SHAPED CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD STARTING BELOW THE BOTTOM EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR