2017 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Subaru Outback has a complaint index of 90, ranking 3rd worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners logged 917 complaints, with the Electrical System (43% of complaints) as the top problem area, alongside 4 recalls including one do-not-drive steering recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 917
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 32
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2017 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during multi-vehicle crashes, even under impacts owners describe as severe enough to trigger deployment.
- Some owners report unexpected acceleration at low speeds, such as while pulling into parking spaces, resulting in collisions with poles, walls, or other vehicles.
- One owner described the vehicle continuing to accelerate on its own after braking, causing it to crash into a tree despite the brake pedal being depressed.
- The gear shift was reported to intermittently fail to fully engage park, allowing it to slip into reverse or neutral without the release button being pressed.
- A consumer attributed a safety system malfunction to electrical interference affecting the vehicle's computerized control systems.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Outback ranks 3rd worst among 21 model years with a complaint index of 90, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Outback 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 model year.
- Does the 2017 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Outback, covering airbags, steering, and brakes, including one do-not-drive steering recall for improperly assembled steering columns.
- What year Subaru Outback should I avoid?
- Among Outback years with data, 2019 has the highest complaint index at 95, followed by 2020 at 100 and 2017 at 90; all three carry an Avoid verdict.
- How many complaints does the 2017 Subaru Outback have at NHTSA?
- NHTSA lists 917 complaints for the 2017 Outback, including 32 crashes, 3 fires, and 25 injuries.