2017 Subaru Outback Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 233about this part
- Share
- 25%of 919 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 233 complaints about the visibility of the 2017 Subaru Outback, 25% of the 919 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“My windshield developed a crack starting from the bottom center, right where the windhield heating element is. The vehicle was in motion but nothing hit the windshield, I just heard a pop and saw the crack appear and in a matter of minutes it was half way up. Ended up replacing the windshield with an aftermarket one after Subaru of america said they won't cover it.”
NHTSA complaint #11317892, filed 2020-03, 40,000 miles“I have had three sizable cracks in my windshield since 2017, with the most recent fairly large which will probably cause me to have to replace the entire windshield. The other two cracks have been repaired at my expense. The vehicle was in motion in all cases, but there was no discernible danger ( ie. Following a truck) . They all occurred on two lane roads traveling at or under the speed limit.”
NHTSA complaint #11415190, filed 2021-05, 73,000 miles“Two issues: - windshield - I came out of the gym to see a huge crack in my windshield. On the very next day as I was driving on the interstate a what I assume a small rock hit my windshield and another crack spread across the windshield. -leather driver car seat - within only two years of use, the car seat is ripped in several places. Nothing has ever happened to warrant such rips.”
NHTSA complaint #11319635, filed 2020-03, 70,000 miles“I parked my car in my apartment's parking garage overnight. When I went out to my vehicle in the morning there was a large crack in the windshield approximately 24 . There were no cracks or chips in the windshield prior to the windshield failing, nor did any object strike the windshield when it was parked.”
NHTSA complaint #11311122, filed 2020-02, 23,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 23 | 22% |
| 2023 | 19 | 21% |
| 2022 | 280 | 60% |
| 2021 | 107 | 36% |
| 2020 | 383 | 43% |
| 2019 | 387 | 37% |
| 2018 | 273 | 33% |
| 2017 | 233 | 25% |
| 2016 | 91 | 14% |
| 2015 | 143 | 28% |
| 2014 | 10 | 5% |
| 2013 | 14 | 5% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 9 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 6% |
| 1997 | 7 | 9% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Outback
392 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
23 complaintsAir bags
16 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 27, 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