2017 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1091 complaints
1091
Total Complaints
30,000mi
Median Mileage
Electrical System
Top Issue
55
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
15,000
25th Percentile
30,000
Median Mileage
45,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Electrical System
379
Visibility/Wiper
205
Unknown Or Other
171
Power Train
44
Engine
42
Vehicle Speed Control
27
Windshield
26
Body
24
Service Brakes
22
Steering
21
Severity Assessment
55
Crashes
3
Fires
44
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"SUBARU MARKETS THEIR HIGH BEAM ASSIST (HBA) FEATURE AS WORKING 'IN CONJUNCTION WITH EYESIGHT TO AUTOMATICALLY SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS BETWEEN THE HIGH AND LOW SETTINGS WHEN AN ONCOMING VEHICLE IS DETECTED.' THAT'S NOT ENTIRELY TRUE AND THAT'S WHERE THE SAFETY ISSUE COMES INTO PLAY. THE HBA FEATURE T..."
"FAULTY OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. TURNS OFF AIRBAG WITH PASSENGER. TURNS ON AIRBAG AND SEATBELT CHIME WITH NO PASSENGER/WEIGHT. INTERMITTENT. BRAND NEW CAR WITH 700 MILES AND BROUGHT IN 3 TIMES TO SUBARU SANTA MONICA. SERVICE CENTER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT I SENT THEM VIDEOS."
"FAULTY OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM. TURNS OFF AIRBAG WITH PASSENGER. TURNS ON AIRBAG AND SEATBELT CHIME WITH NO PASSENGER/WEIGHT. INTERMITTENT. BRAND NEW CAR WITH 700 MILES AND BROUGHT IN 3 TIMES TO SUBARU SANTA MONICA. SERVICE CENTER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM, BUT I SENT THEM VIDEOS."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Electrical System
379 complaints
25th: 17,250 mi
Median: 30,000 mi
75th: 43,391 mi
Visibility/Wiper
205 complaints
25th: 20,000 mi
Median: 33,000 mi
75th: 48,000 mi
Unknown Or Other
171 complaints
25th: 14,000 mi
Median: 28,000 mi
75th: 45,000 mi
Power Train
44 complaints
25th: 5,500 mi
Median: 24,000 mi
75th: 41,903 mi
Engine
42 complaints
25th: 12,123 mi
Median: 31,952 mi
75th: 48,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 161
WA: 65
CO: 55
VA: 54
NY: 49
TX: 48
OR: 42
NC: 40
FL: 37
IL: 33
Who Files Complaints?
1.2%
Original Owners
98.8%
Second+ Owners
Subaru Outback — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Campaign 19V910000 | 19/12/2019
In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Suspension
Campaign 16V576000 | 03/08/2016
If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Column
Campaign 16V716000 | 06/10/2016
If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Column
Campaign 16V292000 | 11/05/2016
The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Maintain Your Electrical System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Clean battery terminals annually with baking soda and water
- Replace the battery every 3-5 years before it leaves you stranded
- Don't leave accessories running with the engine off
- Check for corroded ground connections if you have intermittent electrical issues
- Replace dim headlights promptly — they're a safety issue and a wiring symptom
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28