2017 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Outback years
The 2017 Subaru Outback ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with 917 complaints and a Complaint Index of 87. Electrical System issues account for 43% of complaints, and four recalls include a do-not-drive steering recall, making this year a relative Avoid.
- Complaints
- 917
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 32 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
Top 2017 Subaru Outback problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System396 (43%)
- Visibility & Wipers233 (25%)
- Other178 (19%)
- Engine69 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (5%)
- Structure & Body29 (3%)
- Brakes28 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras26 (3%)
- Steering23 (3%)
- Airbags16 (2%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes despite significant impact forces, according to owner and body-shop assessments.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or pulling into spaces at low speed, leading to collisions with poles, walls, or other vehicles.
- The vehicle reportedly continued to accelerate after the brake pedal was depressed, resulting in a crash into a tree at 20,500 miles.
- The gear shift intermittently fails to fully engage park, allowing the shifter to slip into reverse or neutral without the button pressed, at 65,000 miles.
- One owner reported an electrical system malfunction they attributed to a safety-system anomaly rather than a specific mechanical part.
2017 Subaru Outback recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V910000Dec 19, 2019Airbags46 vehicles
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
- NHTSA 16V716000Oct 6, 2016Airbags54 vehicles
Air bags:knee bolster
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.
- NHTSA 16V576000Aug 3, 2016Brakes99 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
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.
2017 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,625
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Compared to other Outback model years, 2017 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 917 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Subaru Outback?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 396 complaints, or 43% of all complaints filed for this year, with a median failure mileage of 30,000 miles.
- Does the 2017 Subaru Outback have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Outback, covering airbags, brakes, and steering, including one do-not-drive steering recall (16V292000) for improperly manufactured steering columns.
- How does the 2017 Outback compare to the 2018 and 2019 Outback?
- The 2017 Outback's Complaint Index of 87 is lower than the 2019 Outback's 100 but higher than the 2018 Outback's 80; all three years carry an Avoid verdict relative to other model years.
- Did airbags fail to deploy in the 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Multiple NHTSA complaints describe airbags not deploying in crashes, with failure mileages reported as low as 3,000 and 3,360 miles.