YearToAvoid

2017 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 69 engine complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback, 8% of its 917 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 26,750. There is no related recall for this engine issue, and the complaints include 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries.

Engine complaints
69
8% of 917
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Median mileage
26,750 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while pulling into or out of parking spaces, with the engine revving on its own and the vehicle lurching forward.
  • Some describe the vehicle continuing to accelerate even after shifting into reverse or pressing the brake pedal, leading to collisions with poles, walls, or garage doors.
  • Several complaints describe the engine over-revving and slowing down repeatedly before returning to normal, sometimes with no warning lights present.
  • A few owners heard a loud abnormal noise from the front of the engine while driving at various speeds, with the issue recurring on more than one occasion.
  • One owner reported the engine stalling twice during highway travel in stop-and-go traffic, with the vehicle restarting each time after coasting to a stop.

When 2017 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 19, 2016, latest Jun 22, 2026.

2017 Subaru Outback engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter52016 Q42018 Q12019 Q42021 Q22022 Q32023 Q42025 Q3
69 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q3 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201077 (22%)
  2. 2011113 (17%)
  3. 201259 (20%)
  4. 201388 (30%)
  5. 201449 (24%)
  6. 201574 (15%)
  7. 201674 (12%)
  8. 201769 (8%)
  9. 201857 (7%)
  10. 201964 (6%)
  11. 202061 (7%)
  12. 202137 (13%)
  13. 202226 (6%)
  14. 20233 (3%)
  15. 202410 (10%)
  16. 20258 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2017 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 69 engine complaints for the 2017 Outback, which is 8% of the 917 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Subaru Outback engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area on the 2017 Outback.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2017 Outback?
The median mileage at failure among these engine complaints is 26,750 miles.
Did the 2017 Outback engine complaints involve crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 6 injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.