2017 Subaru Outback Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 2%of 921 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,230miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2017 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 921 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,230 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I hit a large deer on ih 10 at 75 MPH. All airbags deployed safely but conpletely blocked my vision and prevented me from exiting the vehicle as the bags blocked door handles, window control switches and my seat belt release. Another motorist cut air bag strips and helped me to exit the car. Fortunately, no fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11203480, filed 2019-04, 17,000 miles“Upon impact, in an accident that occurred on august 20, 2017 with my 2017 Subaru Outback, the airbags did not deploy. The auto body repair specialist examined the car, & the angle in which impact occurred and believes the airbags should have in fact,deployed. I also had the insurance adjuster from usaa look at the photographs from the accident. His professional opinion was also that the airbags should have deployed. The other vehicle involved had their airbags deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #11020096, filed 2017-08, 3,000 miles“On 8 june 2017 I had just pulled into a parking spot in front of a medical suite when my leased three month old 2017 Subaru Outback with 1,000 miles suddenly had an unintended acceleration episode jumping the curb and crashing into a brick wall and suite door after displacing a threshold column by two inches. The airbag did not deploy, the eyesight function did not stop the vehicle, the seat belt did not restrain me and my chest slammed into the steering wheel, my knees crashed into the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011433, filed 2017-07, 1,000 miles“My husband was driving on a public street at approximately 35 MPH when another car ran a red light and drove out in front of him. He hit her broadside. He was transported to the hospital with a cracked sternum. The car was damaged so severely it was totaled by our insurance company. The air bag did not deploy, hence the cracked sternum from the seat belt. I believe the air bag should have deployed which would have lessened the impact against the seat belt. I have a police report, pictures of the car and hospital reports if they are needed.”
NHTSA complaint #11155479, filed 2018-12, 17,000 miles“Faulty occupant detection system. Turns off airbag with passenger. Turns on airbag and seatbelt chime with no passenger/weight. Intermittent. Brand new car with 700 miles and brought in 3 times to Subaru santa monica. Service center unable to replicate problem, but I sent them videos.”
NHTSA complaint #10909578, filed 2016-09, 700 milesRelated recalls
- 19V910000Dec 19, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not…Covers: Subaru Outback 2016–2017
- 16V716000Oct 6, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In…Covers: Subaru Outback 2017, Legacy 2017
Related service bulletins
- 11005609Jul 15, 2024This announcement provides information on Takata Recall Escalated Towing Program.
- 10237254May 8, 2023This bulletin announces availability of the one-time use mounting clip and spacer clip for the air bag curtain module.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 1% |
| 2021 | 16 | 5% |
| 2020 | 18 | 2% |
| 2019 | 13 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 16 | 2% |
| 2016 | 10 | 2% |
| 2015 | 14 | 3% |
| 2014 | 38 | 18% |
| 2013 | 42 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 13% |
| 2011 | 73 | 11% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 30 | 28% |
| 2008 | 104 | 46% |
| 2007 | 47 | 36% |
| 2006 | 40 | 14% |
| 2005 | 38 | 14% |
| 2004 | 25 | 28% |
| 2003 | 19 | 20% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 7 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Outback
392 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
233 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
23 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsLane departure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology