Fifth generation (BS)
2017 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2017 Subaru Outback is dead battery, with 336 complaints, usually around 30,000 miles.
- 917owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 32involved a crash
- 32,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Outback doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2017 model year.
Is the 2017 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2017 Subaru Outback has 917 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 3.0 times the median of 307 for 2017 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2016 and 2018
- At 92 complaints for each year on the road, the 2017 runs above the 2016 (58) and close to the 2018 (90).
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: dead battery, named in 336 of the 917 complaints (37%). A quarter of the 163 owners who gave a mileage for dead battery saw it by about 18,000 miles, and half by about 30,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 37 of the 917 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 32 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 25 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 10 of 32, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as dead battery, windshield and infotainment. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 260 and have dropped every year since, to 23 in 2025. So far in 2026, 13 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: battery dies or the car will not start, 336 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
917 complaints is 3.4 times the median 2017 model on this site and 3.0 times the median 2017 SUV. Among the 13 Outback model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2017 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 390 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2017 Subaru Outback. 26 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 6 bulletins · 336 complaints
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi. In rare cases, customers may experience a dead battery as a result of the DCM continually trying to access the 3G network.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is extending the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from three years (36 months or 36K miles) to eight years (96 months or 100K miles), whichever comes first.
4 more on this problem
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files to optimize the ECM and address the following customer concerns: ? Check Engine light coming on (with DTC P05A0 stored in memory).
Windshield cracks or distorts 2 bulletins · 229 complaints
This bulletin provides a procedure for diagnosing and repairing customer concerns of a âpoppingâ or âsnappingâ -type sound heard when opening the sunroof.
This Service Information bulletin provides a guideline to use for placement of required or mandated windshield stickers (inside and / or outside) on vehicles equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and High Beam Assist (HBA) features.
Car won't start 1 bulletin · 54 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 8 bulletins · 44 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
6 more on this problem
This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different conditions relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the new-generation âGen 2â and âGen 2.1â F10 Navigation and Display Audio systems.
This bulletin announces new reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address additional operational concerns received from the field and listed involving âGen 2â F10 Navigation and Display Audio units with 7â display.
This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and the software installation procedure to address a group of operational concerns received from the field and listed below involving the Clarion Display Audio unit with 6.2" display.
All 2015-2017 MY vehicles with Fujitsu TEN (F10) 7in. Multimedia Navigation (AVN) & Display Audio Units. This bulletin provides information to help diagnose and address different conditions relating to customer concerns which may arise when operating the ...
Models with FujitsuTEN (F10) Gen 2.0 / 2.1 Navigation or Display Audio Head Units ONLY. This bulletin provides a repair procedure to address specific, confirmed customer concerns of: ? Audio output interruption every 2-3 seconds when listening to AM or FM ...
Subject: Removal of Certain Fujitsu 10 Audio / Navigation Update Files from Subarunet The following update files have been temporarily removed from Subarunet due to potential quality concerns with the 2nd file used in those updates.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 24 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
1 more on this problem
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear ABS wheel speed sensor on the models listed above. The change involves the addition of an additional shielding cover to protect the harness from damage caused by road debris.
Seat belt or seat problems 5 bulletins · 7 complaints
This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
This bulletin provides a service procedure to address customer concerns of a âsqueakingâ -type sound from the front seat(s).
3 more on this problem
This bulletin provides a procedure to help identify the source of a squeaking, creaking or popping -type sound heard coming from the driverâs seat.
This bulletin announces availability of a new power seat memory control module designed to address customer concerns of the seat memory feature not operating properly.
All Models Listed with Seat Lifter Feature. This bulletin provides a procedure to address a customer reported cosmetic condition of surface rust appearing on the inner seat cushion frame of the front seat assemblies.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
Complaints filed by year
260 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2017 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
Risk and remedy
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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
All 4 recalls on the 2017 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
Dead battery, with 336 of the 917 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 30,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 543 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 18,000 miles and half by about 32,000.
Is the 2017 Subaru Outback better or worse than the 2016 and 2018?
Counted per year on the road, the 2017 has more complaints than the 2016 and about as many complaints as the 2018: 92 a year against 58 and 90.
How many 2017 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
37 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for dead battery on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
No recall on file for the 2017 Subaru Outback is on the same system as dead battery. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.