2017 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 1,106 complaints about the 2017 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 35.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of visibility/wiper at 18.5%. A further 16.0% were filed without a specific system named.
Complaints1,106
Crashes56
Fires5
Injuries45
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 35.4% · 392
Visibility/wiper 18.5% · 205
Unknown or other 16.0% · 177
Power train 4.2% · 47
Engine 3.9% · 43
Forward collision avoidance 2.8% · 31
Visibility 2.7% · 30
Vehicle speed control 2.5% · 28
Severity
Of those complaints, 56 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 45 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Subaru Outback in this data, 2017 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 93 in the last three years against 530 in the three before. The issues here may already have been addressed.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 30,000 miles.
In owners' own words
My car consistently is dead. Probably 25% of time I go to start it, it's dead. Battery tests fine, have spent thousands in repairs with Subaru to no avail. Have replaced battery a number of times. I know this is a huge problem among other owners. No warning lights. This has been ongoing since I bought the car new in 2017 until today. I do have most of my work receipts and I know the dealership has all the records. Electrical system
The car battery has been completely dead twice when parked in airport lot for several days. Once the battery was completely dead in the home garage when it hadn't been driven for several days. Each time the battery had to be jumped. The battery was replaced at our expense the first time because we assumed we left an interior light on. We are sad to discover there is an electrical problem that Subaru will not fix. Electrical system · reported at 12,000 miles
Over 4 years of ownership (new when purchased in feb 2017) have experienced 6 occurrences (first in jan 2018) of vehicle failing to start due to dead battery. Original battery replaced under warranty in aug 2019. As of today (03/15/2021) battery is being replaced again by dealer at my cost. No other problems identified by dealer. Vehicle always stationary when problem occurred. Approx 42k miles on odometer. Electrical system · reported at 12,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…