MYRModel Year Report

2017 Subaru Outback

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2017 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2017 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 359 complaints 2011: 649 complaints 2011 2012: 290 complaints 2013: 295 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 505 complaints 2015 2016: 639 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2017 2018: 803 complaints 2019: 1029 complaints 2019 2020: 890 complaints 2021: 291 complaints 2022: 453 complaints 2023: 85 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 65 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2017: 917 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009105
2010359
2011649
2012290
2013295
2014208
2015505
2016639
2017917
2018803
20191029
2020890
2021291
2022453
202385
202489
202565
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42%

42% of complaints: electrical system — 381 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle battery needed to be charged over 27 times because it is stone dead. Was told over a year ago vehicle needed a DCM module but there were non a viable..As of 9/5/2023 this module is still unavailable vehicle has only 8,800 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230906

VISIBILITY/WIPER 22%

22% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 205 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

> THE AUTO IN THIS COMPLAINT IS EQUIPPED WITH SUBARU'S "EYESIGHT" DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180622

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 43 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20160513 — steering

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016.

Campaign 16V292000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160808 — service brakes, hydraulic, suspension

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V576000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161114 — air bags, steering

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016.

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.

Campaign 16V716000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2017 — complaint volume: 917
R 20200203 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 19V910000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2017 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (381 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (205 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V292000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V576000 (service brakes, hydraulic, suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V716000 (air bags, steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V910000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2020 ■ 2018

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2017 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2017 Subaru Outback is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Outback have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.