2017 Subaru Outback Problems
Compared with other Subaru Outback years
More complaints than typical for this model
68/100 1.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.5× that of a typical Subaru Outback year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 192 of its 919 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported problem: Battery drains or fails; car will not start (345 complaints, median 30,000 mi).
- 1 recall with a do-not-drive warning, 4 in total. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 919filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles, 514 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 41 do-not-drive
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 28 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 25 city / 32 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Subaru Outback (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this 2017 Outback most often report two things: a battery that goes flat or needs repeated replacement, and windshields that crack without any obvious impact. Complaints about the battery cluster in the first few years and under roughly 50,000 miles, while windshield cracks are reported across a wide mileage range, often while the car is parked or during ordinary driving.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks without an impact
- 271 complaints (29%)
- median 34,200 mi at 3.3 yrs old (196 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 19 quotes)
- filed 2017–2026
Owners report cracks appearing in the front windshield with no rock strike or visible impact, sometimes overnight while parked, sometimes during a normal drive, and sometimes when the defroster or wipers were used. Cracks are described as starting at the top or lower edge and spreading quickly across the driver's view, and several owners had a replacement windshield crack again. Complaints state that the dealer or manufacturer declined to cover replacement. Spread from under about 10,000 miles to over 100,000 miles, often in cold or fluctuating temperatures or soon after a replacement windshield.
What to check: Inspect the windshield edges and the area around the rearview mirror for hairline cracks or prior repairs, and ask whether it is the original glass. Note that a replacement windshield on these cars may be a recurring cost.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While I was in my parked car I turned on my windshield defroster and my windshield wipers. When I did this - the windshield spontaneously cracked.I watched the crack spread across the windshield. The car was stationary at the time of the crack. This is a known issue with 2017 - 2019 Subaru Outback, forester and crosstrek models. Both the dealership (flow Subaru of winston-salem)and Subaru of america refuse to fix this known issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11310552, filed 2020-02, 27,000 miles“Walked out of staters bros and the windshield cracked from the very bottom center and traveled up 10 inches and over to drivers side 16 inches.up on its own while I was in the store. No crack prior to leaving my vehicle 25 minutes earlier.”
NHTSA complaint #11416285, filed 2021-05, 45,500 miles - Electrical system
Battery drains or fails; car will not start
- 345 complaints (38%)
- median 30,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (145 state mileage)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2017–2026
Owners describe batteries that go flat after the car sits for a few hours or a few days, and repeated battery replacements in the first few years of ownership. Some report the dealer tested the battery and electrical system and found nothing wrong, others were told a short service life is normal, and a few mention paying for a circuit board replacement to stop a drain. A handful tie the problem to something left powered, such as a tailgate left open or the radio on with the engine off. Mostly reported in the first roughly three years of ownership and under about 70,000 miles, often after the car sits unused for a day or more.
What to check: Ask for the battery's age and service history, and whether any parasitic-draw diagnosis was done. Leave the car parked for a couple of days before buying and confirm it starts on its own.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I am on my 4th battery in 4 years. The battery goes dead very quickly and the service department cant tell me why. There also seem to be other random electrical issues that go crazy at random times. The cruise control when trying to set the speed higher will go lower. The windows will occasionally not roll all the way up.”
NHTSA complaint #11416653, filed 2021-05, 23,144 miles“I had several times in 2020 where my battery went dead after leaving the back tailgate open or listening to the radio with the engine off. The last time it happened, we replaced the battery, fearing it happening again in the cold weather(12/2020). All of these situations happened while the vehicle was parked and either the engine was turned off or just the accessory mode was on.”
NHTSA complaint #11413465, filed 2021-04, 35,000 miles - Engine
Engine cutting out or stalling at low speed
- 121 complaints (13%)
- median 30,929 mi at 3.5 yrs old (69 state mileage)
- 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2026
A few owners describe the engine cutting out or the car stopping at slow speeds, such as when pulling into traffic, and dealers were unable to reproduce the problem. Other complaints describe unexpected acceleration at very low speed while maneuvering or shifting into park, sometimes with damage to property; those complaints do not identify a cause. Buyers should treat this as a small group of reports rather than a pattern with a known fix. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 100,000 miles, typically at parking-lot or low-speed maneuvering.
What to check: Test the car at very low speed in a parking area, including shifting between drive, reverse and park, and ask whether any engine or throttle-related software updates have been applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11364833, filed 2020-10, 48,000 miles“Numerous times over past two months, when at slow speeds, the automatic transmission stalls causing the car to stop. At least once, when entering traffic, a car behind had to do an emergency slowdown to avoid a rear end collision. Two Subaru dealers have checked the vehicle being unable to find a problem. Yet, on searching the web, this common conditionis is clearly described in NHTSA files.”
NHTSA complaint #11398654, filed 2021-03, 66,200 miles - Other or unknown
Key will not come out of the ignition in park
- 73 complaints (8%)
- median 42,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (47 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 6 quotes)
- filed 2018–2026
Owners report that after stopping and shifting into park, the key will not turn fully to off or come out of the ignition. The workaround described is cycling the shifter between park and another gear several times until the key releases, which owners say can take minutes. Complaints link it to the shifter or gear position sensing rather than the lock cylinder. Reported mostly between about 20,000 and 90,000 miles, in everyday parking situations.
What to check: With the engine running and the car stationary, shift into park and shut off; confirm the key turns fully to off and comes out without wiggling the shifter.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“When putting my car into 'p' for park, and turning my car off with my key, my key will not turn all the way into the off position for me to take my key out. I have to turn my key into the on position, shift the gear into either 'n' or 'd', then back into the 'p' position several times before I can get my key out. This is such a safety hazard. This happens when my car is stationary and parked, and I am attempting to leave my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11351458, filed 2020-08, 20,000 miles“Unable to get key out of ignition when vehicle is in park (in garage or anywhere else). Found issue on forums many times. Seems to be related to gear assembly. Messing with shifting, back into park, wiggling key eventually get it out. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes. Happens at least 40% of time.”
NHTSA complaint #11307875, filed 2020-02, 67,500 miles
Buying note. Check the battery's age and starting behavior after the car sits, inspect the windshield carefully for cracks or prior replacement, and confirm the key releases cleanly in park. Records showing any electrical diagnosis or software updates are worth asking for.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 919 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback. 514 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,000 miles. Of all complaints, 32 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 25 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 397 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Subaru Outback model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 68 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system392 43%
- Other or unknown178 19%
- Transmission and drivetrain47 5.1%
- Engine44 4.8%
- Vehicle speed control28 3.0%
- Body and structure26 2.8%
- Brakes25 2.7%
- Steering24 2.6%
- Forward collision avoidance23 2.5%
Also reported: Air bags (16), Fuel system (16), Lane departure (9), Exterior lighting (7), Suspension (6), Seat belts (5), Wheels (5), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (4), Electronic stability control (4), Tires (3), Seats (2), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “When my car sits in garage for a week, the battery dies. I have taken it to Subaru dealer and they say there is no problem. But I continue to have problems with this car. I have documentation on the 6 times I have had to use road servic finally I bought a trickle charger to remedy this problem.e for a battery jump start and the receipts going to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #11408508, filed 2021-04, 10,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving on the highway my husband turned the defrost on and we heard a 'pop' sound. Then my husband said your windshield is cracking and nothing hit the windshield. The crack started in the bottom center of the windshield in the black part of the windshield and the crack curves up and towards the passenger side of the windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #11296903, filed 2020-01, 40,000 milesOther or unknown: “The windshield on my 2017 Subaru Outback with 28,000 mi. Has developed a crack I see that a lot of owners of outbacks are also having cracks develop. Not sure if there is a recall on the windshield. The crack showed up as I pulled the car out of the garage I wasn't even driving on the road. The crack is on the top of the windshield near the center.”
NHTSA complaint #11268323, filed 2019-10, 28,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I turned the car on while it was stationary, and switched to reverse but it would not accelerate. I switched it to drive and pressed the acceleration pedal but the engine would only rev; the tires would not move. I switched the car to neutral and called bob wade's Subaru dealership to tow the car to their dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11062892, filed 2018-01, 17,800 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 514 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 45,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Subaru Outback. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback · wagon AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Subaru Outback version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 25 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Outback AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | CVT | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Steering › ColumnCovers: Subaru Outback 2015–2017, Legacy 2016–2017
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…
- 19V910000Dec 19, 2019Air bags › Air bag/restraint control moduleCovers: Subaru Outback 2016–2017
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.
- 16V716000Oct 6, 2016Air bags › Knee bolsterCovers: Subaru Outback 2017, Legacy 2017
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…
- 16V576000Aug 3, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › CaliperCovers: Subaru Outback 2017
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…
Recall details for the 2017 Subaru Outback → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 397 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
Other model years of the Subaru Outback
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Too new |
| 2025 | 83 | 2,000 | 0 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 104 | 3,395 | 0 | 5 | 25 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 89 | 7,500 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 0 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 465 | 13,947 | 4 | 5 | 26 | 77 · More | Stable |
| 2021 | 298 | 3,600 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
| 2020 | 901 | 5,750 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 1,036 | 10,194 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 816 | 16,794 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 919 | 30,000 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 68 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 643 | 35,000 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 510 | 20,000 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 208 | 35,000 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 13 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 297 | 44,100 | 12 | 5 | 24 | 21 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 294 | 90,000 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 3 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 653 | 85,000 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 46 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 360 | 68,000 | 18 | — | 22 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 106 | 70,350 | 13 | — | 20 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 226 | 79,150 | 8 | — | 20 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 130 | 81,147 | 8 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 277 | 95,316 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 273 | 82,000 | 9 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 90 | 67,693 | 10 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 93 | 73,762 | 14 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 143 | 70,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 171 | 72,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 207 | 68,318 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 111 | 89,500 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 127 | 91,486 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 79 | 103,995 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 46 | 125,453 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Outback model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Owners of this 2017 Outback most often report two things: a battery that goes flat or needs repeated replacement, and windshields that crack without any obvious impact. The issues reported most often: Windshield cracks without an impact; Battery drains or fails; car will not start; Engine cutting out or stalling at low speed.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA recorded 919 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Subaru Outback is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 392 complaints (43% of the total), followed by visibility with 233.
Has the 2017 Subaru Outback been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Subaru Outback do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Subaru Outback 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Outback get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Outback (Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Subaru Outback reported?
Among the 514 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 45,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.