YearToAvoid

2017 Subaru Outback Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 16 Fuel System complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback, 2% of its 917 total complaints. Owners most often report inaccurate fuel gauges and unexpected stalling, with a median failure mileage of 31,000. NHTSA shows no related recall for this issue.

Fuel System complaints
16
2% of 917
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
31,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the fuel gauge showing incorrect fuel levels, sometimes reading a quarter tank or more when the tank is actually empty.
  • Several drivers report the engine stalling or losing power at highway speed despite the gauge and trip computer showing dozens of miles remaining.
  • Some owners say the vehicle ran out of fuel unexpectedly in traffic or on the interstate, requiring an emergency stop or roadside refueling.
  • A few complaints describe the engine RPMs surging on their own when shifting from park into drive or reverse, with the accelerator seeming to go to the floor.
  • One owner linked a stalling incident to a fuel pump part they believed was subject to a supplier recall on other models, though no recall is listed for this vehicle.

When 2017 Subaru Outback fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 28, 2017, latest Mar 16, 2026.

2017 Subaru Outback fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month1Aug 2017Nov 2018Jan 2019Apr 2019Feb 2022Sep 2022Jan 2023May 2024
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2017 to Mar 2026; peak Aug 2017 (1).

Fuel System recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Outback model year

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

  1. 20105 (1%)
  2. 201116 (2%)
  3. 20124 (1%)
  4. 201315 (5%)
  5. 201413 (6%)
  6. 201518 (4%)
  7. 201613 (2%)
  8. 201716 (2%)
  9. 201846 (6%)
  10. 201932 (3%)
  11. 202015 (2%)
  12. 202110 (3%)
  13. 20226 (1%)
  14. 20232 (2%)
  15. 20242 (2%)
  16. 20253 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

Is there a fuel system recall for the 2017 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to the Fuel System complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback.
How common are fuel system complaints for the 2017 Outback?
NHTSA records 16 Fuel System complaints for the 2017 Outback, which is 2% of its 917 total complaints for the year.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Fuel System complaints on the 2017 Outback is 31,000 miles.
What is the main fuel system complaint on the 2017 Outback?
The most common pattern owners describe is an inaccurate fuel gauge, sometimes followed by the engine stalling despite the gauge showing remaining fuel.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to fuel system complaints?
NHTSA data for this issue on the 2017 Outback shows 1 crash and 2 injuries reported, with 0 fires.

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.