NHTSA has 919 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Subaru Outback, received from 2016 to 2026. The most-reported system is electrical system (392 complaints, 43%), followed by visibility and wipers (233) and unknown or other (178). Owners reported 32 crashes, 3 fires, 25 injuries and 0 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 30,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021, with 260 received that year. 4 safety recalls cover this model year; 1 carries a do-not-drive warning.
919NHTSA complaints
4safety recalls
32crashes reported
3fires reported
25injuries
0deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Owners report electrical system problems most often: 392 of 919 NHTSA complaints (43%), followed by visibility and wipers (233) and power train (47).
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback. The most recent is 19V910000 (air bags, 2019-12-19).
At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Outback problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 30,000 miles, across 516 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Yes. Owners reported 32 crashes, 3 fires, 25 injuries and 0 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Electrical system
392
43%
5
1
4
31,000
Visibility and wipers
233
25%
2
0
1
36,000
Unknown or other
178
19%
3
2
6
28,000
Power train
47
5%
2
0
0
27,000
Engine
44
5%
1
1
0
31,952
Speed control
28
3%
7
0
6
20,000
Structure
26
3%
1
0
0
25,000
Service brakes
24
3%
6
0
3
25,714
Steering
24
3%
2
0
0
19,966
Forward collision avoidance
23
3%
7
0
5
22,000
Air bags
16
2%
10
1
12
3,230
Fuel system
16
2%
1
0
2
31,000
Lane departure
9
1%
1
0
0
29,500
Exterior lighting
7
1%
0
0
0
27,000
Suspension
6
1%
1
0
0
45,000
Seat belts
5
1%
3
0
2
3,100
Wheels
5
1%
1
0
0
23,000
Backover prevention
4
<1%
1
0
2
2,000
Electronic stability control
4
<1%
0
0
0
14,000
Tires
3
<1%
0
0
0
45,000
Seats
2
<1%
0
0
0
55,500
Equipment
1
<1%
0
0
0
97,000
Latches, locks and linkages
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Parking brake
1
<1%
0
0
0
24,000
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: 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.
On Sunday, [redacted], I was driving my 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring after leaving the [redacted]. After I had merged onto [redacted] and immediately before the first roundabout under [redacted], the vehicle emitted three warning beeps, numerous dashboard warning lights illuminated, and the…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11771631, received 2026-10-16
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.
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11737057, received 2026-05-11
My Outback has been through 5 genuine Subaru windshields this year, and 7 since 2019. Only one was impact damage, the rest developed cracks after installation. One only lasted 3 days after being replaced. Others have lasted 3 months. There is something defective with the current Subaru replacement…
Visibility and wipers · NHTSA complaint 11704138, received 2025-12-10
My windshield (which has had multiple class action lawsuits) cracked spontaneously sitting in my driveway. I contacted Subaru of America and they denied any responsibility and claimed there is no assistance they can provide. This crack has gone from about half of my windshield to nearly the entire…
Visibility and wipers · NHTSA complaint 11667761, received 2025-06-18
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 [redacted]. The car was very difficult to steer with locked wheels in traffic. This was a rapid evasive manuver on a busy interstate. An undrivable…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11749073, received 2026-07-08
At about 112,000 miles, my 2017 subaru outback's transmission showed signs of failure. The "manual shift" gear lever position would no longer increase or decrease the transmission rpm and a whirring and clicking noise became apparent and increased or decreased with speed. The subaru dealer in…
Power train · NHTSA complaint 11681495, received 2025-08-19
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.