2017 Subaru Outback Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Outback years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 918 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Outback. That ranks 2nd out of 32 Outback model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (391 complaints, 43%), typically at around 31,000 miles. Complaints mention 32 crashes, 3 fires, 25 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 918owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 32complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2017 Subaru Outback problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 391 | 43% | 31,000 | “battery drain” (10%) | $210 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 205 | 22% | 33,000 | “windshield cracked” (32%) | $1,050 |
| Unknown or Other | 178 | 19% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 47 | 5% | 27,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 43 | 5% | 31,952 | — | — |
| Visibility | 30 | 3% | 49,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 3% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 26 | 3% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 23 | 3% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 23 | 3% | 20,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 23 | 3% | 19,966 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 16 | 2% | 3,230 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 16 | 2% | 31,000 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 9 | 1% | 29,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 1% | 27,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 1% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 1% | 3,100 | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 1% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 0% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 0% | 14,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 3 | 0% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | 55,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 0% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 0% | 41,806 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2017 Subaru Outback recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:knee bolster; steering:column
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper; suspension
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering:columnDo not drive
Problem: 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.
Risk: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Under Subaru's bulletin WUJ-95, certain 2015-2016 Outbacks were recalled due to the exhaust pipe front (EPF) bellows cracking. My 2017 Subaru outback has developed a crack in the bellows (flex pipe on the catalytic converter) and has had to be replaced. The emissions warranty ran out at 80K miles…
The CVT failed at 62 miles per hour on a busy interstate, XXX. This caused the drivetrain to lock. The car has been repaired and traded locally in [XXX]. The car was very difficult to steer with locked wheels in traffic. This was a rapid evasive manuver on a busy interstate. An undrivable vehicle…
Came out to car on the morning of July 1, 2026 and found windshield had cracked from the very bottom of the windshield (no impacts). This is the third windshield I will be putting in this car. Original windshield was replaced by Subaru 4/25 2025 for the same exact problem. 2015 &16 Outbacks had a…
On Monday [XXX] were driving on [XXX] going north up [XXX]. I was doing about 60-65 mph in traffic which was flowing in both directions. While ascending the pass, the car suddenly started to misfire, rapidly lost power, power steering failed and all dash lights lit up. With no shoulder to pull out…
Ignition key not releasing after turning engine off. Put shifter in park, foot on brakeii, turn Ignition key off. Key will not release. Have to cycle multiple times to get key released.
Other Subaru Outback years
← 2016 Outback · 2018 Outback →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Outback | 18 | 0 |
| 2025 Outback | 82 | 0 |
| 2024 Outback | 104 | 0 |
| 2023 Outback | 89 | 2 |
| 2022 Outback | 465 | 4 |
| 2021 Outback | 297 | 4 |
| 2020 Outback | 899 | 6 |
| 2019 Outback | 1,036 | 3 |
| 2018 Outback | 814 | 3 |
| 2017 | 918 | 4 |
| 2016 Outback | 643 | 4 |
| 2015 Outback | 510 | 5 |
| 2014 Outback | 208 | 10 |
| 2013 Outback | 297 | 12 |
| 2012 Outback | 292 | 16 |
| 2011 Outback | 652 | 16 |
| 2010 Outback | 360 | 18 |
| 2009 Outback | 106 | 13 |
| 2008 Outback | 226 | 8 |
| 2007 Outback | 129 | 8 |
| 2006 Outback | 277 | 7 |
| 2005 Outback | 273 | 9 |
| 2004 Outback | 90 | 10 |
| 2003 Outback | 93 | 14 |
| 2002 Outback | 143 | 4 |
| 2001 Outback | 171 | 3 |
| 2000 Outback | 207 | 1 |
| 1999 Outback | 111 | 1 |
| 1998 Outback | 127 | 2 |
| 1997 Outback | 79 | 4 |
| 1996 Outback | 46 | 2 |
| 1995 Outback | 2 | 1 |
See all Subaru Outback problems by year, every Subaru model, or the Subaru VIN decoder.
Similar Subaru models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Owners most often report electrical system, visibility/wiper, unknown or other problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 391 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2017 Subaru Outback a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Outback model years, the 2017 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.