2017 Subaru Outback Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 16 airbag complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback, 2% of its 917 total complaints for the year. These involve 10 crashes, 1 fire, and 12 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 3,230. Two related recalls address a passenger airbag module mismatch and a knee guard bracket issue.
- Airbags complaints
- 16
- 2% of 917
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 12
- Median mileage
- 3,230 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy at all during moderate to high-speed collisions, including rear-end and side-impact crashes.
- Some drivers describe frontal and side airbags not activating even when body shops and insurance adjusters believed deployment should have occurred given the impact angle.
- One owner reported an occupant detection system that intermittently disabled the passenger airbag or triggered false seatbelt chimes with no passenger present.
- Another owner described the SRS warning light coming on with a diagnosis of a failed airbag control unit, and questioned whether the vehicle should have been covered under a recall.
- A separate report described airbags deploying after hitting a deer but the deployed bags blocking door handles, window switches, and the seat belt release, trapping the occupant inside.
When 2017 Subaru Outback airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 26, 2016, latest Apr 9, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback
- 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.
Airbags complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2017 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA lists 16 airbag complaints for the 2017 Outback, which is 2% of the 917 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Yes. Recall 19V910000 covers a passenger air bag module compatibility issue, and recall 16V716000 covers a knee guard bracket problem on vehicles built between September 21-23, 2016.
- Did the 2017 Outback airbag problems cause injuries or crashes?
- NHTSA data tied to these airbag complaints shows 10 crashes, 1 fire, and 12 injuries.
- At what mileage do 2017 Outback airbag problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among reported airbag complaints for the 2017 Outback is 3,230 miles.