2017 Subaru Outback problems and complaints

Owners have filed 918 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Outback. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (391), Visibility/Wiper (205), Unknown Or Other (178).

Key takeaways

  • 918 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 32 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 25 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System39143%
Visibility/Wiper20522%
Unknown Or Other17819%
Power Train475%
Engine435%
Visibility303%
Vehicle Speed Control283%
Structure263%
Service Brakes243%
Steering233%
Forward Collision Avoidance233%
Air Bags162%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2017 Subaru Outback SW AWD5/55/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-10-07

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, I currently have 92...

Power Train,wheels,unknown Or Other - filed 2026-07-08

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 on an interstate is l...

Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-07-07

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 settlement filed as di...

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More for the 2017 Subaru Outback

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.