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, Jun 18, 2020
WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND I TRY TO REMOVE THE KEY IT WILL NOT RELEASE. HAVE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON BACK UP, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATE FORWARD, SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE KEY WILL RELEASE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2020
MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING ON I-26 EAST BOUND, JUST NORTH OF ITS INTERSECTION WITH I-95 IN SC, WHEN WE HEARD A POP AND NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED. IT WAS NOT A RESULT OF ANY ROAD DEBRIS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN OUR IMMEDIATE VICINITY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2020
THE BATTERY HAS WEAKENED. I WOULD DRIVE TO CHARGE IT. TODAY THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID THAT THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THE PASSENGER WINDOW STILL DOES NOT WORK WITH THE CONTROL. I HAVE LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 11, 2020
THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY DRAINS VERY QUICKLY AND NEEDS A JUMP START. HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WE HAVE HAD TO BUY A JUMP START KIT. DEALER SAID THE BATTERY IS FINE AND CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. SAMS CLUB AND A NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAVE BOTH SAID THE BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2020
WHEN STATIONARY, THE REAR LIFT GATE OPENS WITHOUT BEING NEARBY OR ACTIVATING SWITCH. ONE TIME AFTER THE GATE OPENED, IT APPARENTLY DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY. AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE CAR BATTERY DIED. THE BATTERY WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, GATE HAD TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jun 5, 2020
I HAVE HAD TWO BRAND NEW SUBARU OUTBACKS. MY FIRST WAS A 2015 AND MY SECOND IS A 2017 OUTBACK. MY 2015 HAD 4 BROKEN WINDSHIELDS IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. MY 2017 HAS HAD 3 BROKEN WINDSHIELDS IN 3 YEARS. ALL TOGETHER I HAVE HAD 7 BROKEN WINDSHIELDS IN 5 YEARS. SOME HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN MOTION AND SOME HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. ALL THE BREAKS BEGIN SOMEWHERE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE WINDSHIELD (UP TO ABOUT 3-4" FROM THE EDGE. I CAN'T TELL WHAT IS CAUSING THE CRACKS TO HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE IS EITHER NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD OR THERE IS A TINY "FLICK" CRACK SOUND AS IF A SPECK OF SAND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO YOU BEFORE WHEN I OWNED THE 2015 OUTBACK. I SEE THAT THERE ARE NOW 2 CLASS ACTION SUITS PERTAINING TO THIS. HOPE THIS CAN BE REMEDIED. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEAT AND COLD. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE WINDSHIELD THE SPIDER WEB CRACKED ACROSS WINDSHIELD. *TR
Electrical system, May 30, 2020
I BELIEVE THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAW ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF MY 2017 OUTBACK (WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2016). IT HAS DIED REPEATEDLY AND RANDOMLY SINCE I PURCHASED IT, FAILING TO START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS. MORE TIMES THAN NOT NOW, IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I'M IN THE BACKCOUNTRY (SUCH AS 05/28/2019), SOMETIMES AWAY FROM CELL SERVICE. INITIALLY, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG, SO I HAVE CONTINUED TO MONITOR IT. SOMETIMES, IT IS "JUST" A DEAD BATTERY THAT CAN BE JUMPED (LIKE 10/21/2018), BUT ON OCCASION, THE CAR WILL START MOMENTARILY BUT THEN THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY (03/08/2020). SOMETIMES IT IS SO DRAINED THAT THE CAR FOB WON'T EVEN WORK. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE SHOP (DEALER OR MIDAS), THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE ANY ISSUE - "THE ALTERNATOR TESTS WELL, BUT SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY." I HAVE EVEN PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST 5 YEARS, AND IT FAILED IN UNDER A YEAR. I KEEP MY INTERIOR LIGHTS OFF AND DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING EXTRANEOUS PLUGGED INTO THE CAR, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS - IT HAPPENED TWICE YESTERDAY (5/29/2020). I HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE FOR OUTBACK OWNERS ON VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS AND I HOPE THAT SUBARU IS ABLE TO DO SOMETIME TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM - THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WAS TO HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IT MOST CERTAINLY IS NOT. *TR
Power train, May 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE FORWARD AFTER OR DURING A MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE IN A SENSE WHERE THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE FIRST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 2 TIMES SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 641-6455) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS A DINO FLOW TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE OPERATED IN A CERTAIN MANNER THAT THE CONTACT MAY NOT HAVE DONE. THE CONTACT MADE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS OPERATING THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO PROVIDED THE CONTACT A LOANER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2020
CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AT THE TOP, PASSENGER SIDE CORNER. CRACK FOR NO REASON. *TR
Electrical system, May 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BATTERY DRAINED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE EMITTED A CLICKING SOUND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ISLAND SUBARU (111 QUINTARD STREET, STATEN ISLAND NY, 10305, (718) 697-6000 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO THE BATTERY FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT FAILED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE DRIVEN MORE TO ALLOW THE BATTERY TO BE RECHARGED DUE TO COMPUTERS IN THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY RUNNING EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,003.
Electrical system, May 25, 2020
DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING BATTERY DISCHARGE AND GOING DEAD. BATTERY NEEDS REPLACED AND KEEPS GOING DEAD.
Visibility, Structure, May 20, 2020
PARKED MY LEASED 2017 OUTBACK IN MY DRIVEWAY LAST NIGHT WITH NOTHING OVERHEAD, NO TREES, ETC. THIS MORNING THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WHICH BEGAN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CONTINUED ON FOR OVER 15 INCHES. TOTAL MYSTERY. *TR
Electrical system, May 18, 2020
I AM 1 OF MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL RENDERING A DEAD BATTERY. REPLACING BATTERY AND CONSTANTLY CHARGING AT THIS POINT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR VEHICLE TO RUN. AT THIS POINT THE BATTERY IS DEAD EVERY MORNING IN THE GARAGE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2020
MY FACTORY-INSTALLED WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. THE CRACK IMMEDIATELY SPREAD TO OVER A FOOT LONG. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WITH OEM GLASS. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER REPLACEMENT, IT CRACKED AGAIN, WHILE DECELERATING ON AN OFF- RAMP. AGAIN, THE CRACK WAS IMMEDIATELY OVER A FOOT LONG. BOTH TIMES, THERE WAS NO APPARENT ROCK OR REASON FOR CRACKING, NOTHING AROUND THAT WOULD HAVE KICKED SOMETHING UP. BOTH CRACKS STARTED NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NEITHER STARTED ON AN EDGE. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LISTENED TO THE RADIO AND 10 MINUTES LATER I GO TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD. AFTER I GET IT GOING THE GATE WILL BEEP CONTINUOUSLY WHILE IT IS STILL CLOSED AND I HAVE TO RESET THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO GET THE BEEPING TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED FOR POWER NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. AND YET THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
Service brakes, May 16, 2020
TWICE, DURING A TIME PERIOD OF 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. I COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ACCELERATOR KICK IN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE -- THE VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD. FIRST AT A STOP SIGN BEFORE PULLING OUT ONTO A BUSY CITY STREET, THEN 10 MINUTES LATER WHEN STOPPING TO ALLOW CROSS TRAFFIC TO CLEAR BEFORE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. PAVEMENT WAS DRY (NO ICE, SNOW, OR WATER). I KNOW THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. CALLED THE DEALER AND BROUGHT IT IN IMMEDIATELY. OVER ABOUT A 3-WEEK PERIOD, THE DEALER EVALUATED THE VEHICLE AND HAD A SAFETY ENGINEER FROM CORPORATE COME IN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE VEHICLE LOGS/DATA TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I SAID I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. WE DECIDED TO TRADE IT IN, AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE US ANY TRADE IN ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY DID GIVE US $2,500 COUPON TOWARDS A BRAND NEW, 2020, VEHICLE, WHICH WE USED. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, May 16, 2020
OUTBACK ACCELERATES BY ITSELF RANDOMLY. I NOTICE MOST WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN AND SWITCH FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2020
THE CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING. ONLY HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR. DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE OR WHAT I WAS DOING BUT FOR SURE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN & AS I BRAKED THE CAR ALSO ACCELERATED AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATES. IT'S BEEN AWHILE AGO. *TR
Electrical system, May 15, 2020
AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 45 MINUTES. SO, I JUMPED IT AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THIS TRIP, I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE. I WAS TOLD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE OK, BUT IT STILL NEEDED CHARGING. THE CAR DID START ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER RETURNING FROM THIS TRIP. HOWEVER, THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THIS WITH A SUBARU DEALERSHIP, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, WILL TRY TO KEEP THE OUTBACK IN SERVICE WITH A TRICKLE CHARGER, AND JUMP STARTS AS NECESSARY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN A "T" WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE WITH NO APPARENT ROCK CHIP IN WINDOW. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), May 14, 2020
KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER ENGINE TURN OFF AND IN PARK. *TR
Electrical system, May 9, 2020
VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2017. IN 2018, BATTERY DRAINED THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS: TWICE, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THIRD TIME, ANOTHER PERSON HELPED ME START MY CAR. I HAPPENED ON 9/30/18, AFTER PARKING OUTSIDE AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED AND I WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY DOESN'T CHARGE ENOUGH DURING SHORT TRIPS. I OPTED TO BUY A CAR STARTER PORTABLE BATTERY, GIVEN THE FREQUENCY AND INCONVENIENCE OF GETTING STUCK IN PLACES. I ORDERED IT ON OCTOBER, 2018. I DON'T RECALL HOW MANY TIMES I USED THE CAR STARTER KIT IN 2019. HOWEVER, IN 2020, IT HAS BEEN ALREADY 4 TIMES I'VE HAD TO USE IT TO START MY CAR: ONCE ON 04/04/2020 AND SINCE THEN, OTHER THREE TIMES. ONCE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, AND TODAY, 05/09/20, TWICE: AFTER STOPPING, WAITING TO DRIVE INTO A FERRY, AND THEN, TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE THE FERRY. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2020
SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH A FAIR SIZE HOLE IN IT! ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS CRACKED LINES IN IT. STATED WITH A SMALL STONE DING AND NOW HAS EXPENDED TO A CRACK LINE HALD WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. TO ME, SUBARU HAS A GLASS ISSUE WITH MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE AUTO HAS ALL OF THE SAFETY FEATURES, SO REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT CHEAP, DUE TO THE SENSOR CAMERAS. THE ROOF BLOW OUT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IT. ALSO, THE SMALL STONE DING OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IT AS WELL. ALL OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE SUBARU ON CITY STREETS. SUBARU DID REPLACE THE SUNROOF AT NO COST; THE OUTBACK WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK SHORTLY AFTER HAVING SAFE LITE REPAIR THE DING. THAT OCCURRED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO.