2017 SUBARU OUTBACK

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    battery and charging

    157 stranded, 138 unsafe, 10 broken, 11 annoyance

    316
    incidents
    Typical range: 18,500–43,000 mi

    Median 30,000 mi, based on 144 reports (60% had no usable mileage)

    • "BATTERY GOES DEAD AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS OF NO USE"~500 mi, complaint #1744634
    • "2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. NOW ON BATTERY #6, THIRD ONE REPLACED SINCE FEBRUARY 2020. BATTERY EACH TIME WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, REQUIRING ROADSIDE SERVICE. DEALER REPLACES, SAYS THEY DO A SYSTEM ANALYSIS. ROADSIDE TOWING COMPANY EACH TIME TELLS ME THEY SEE LOTS OF ISSU…"~18,341 mi, complaint #1702541
    • "DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING BATTERY DISCHARGE AND GOING DEAD. BATTERY NEEDS REPLACED AND KEEPS GOING DEAD."~30,000 mi, complaint #1665052
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF. SUBURBAN IMPORTS OF TROY ([REDACTED ADDRESS], TROY, MI 48084) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY WAS BELOW T…"~40,900 mi, complaint #1744391
    • "WENT TO START MY CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE CAR NOT STARTING."~410,000 mi, complaint #1678479
  2. #2

    glass and windshield

    239 unsafe, 1 broken, 9 annoyance

    249
    incidents
    Typical range: 20,000–54,000 mi

    Median 36,000 mi, based on 219 reports (27% had no usable mileage)

    • "RIGHT SIDE FRONT QUARTER GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NOT RUNNING, AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH ALL GARAGE DOORS CLOSED. THE DATE WAS 09/02/2017. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 07/19/17 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 18 MILES.…"~1,200 mi, complaint #1617653
    • "I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AFTER DISCOVERING A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR CAR PORT AND WAS CRACK FREE WHEN LAST DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE."~20,022 mi, complaint #1648755
    • "VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON 10/05/2020 AND PARKED WITH NO CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD, UPON RETURNING TO VEHICLE THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK CROSSING WINDSHIELD. NO ROCKS OR DEBRIS HAVE STRUCK VEHICLES WINDSHIELD."~33,400 mi, complaint #1697846
    • "WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, MY WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY POPPED OR CRACKED IN MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6 LIMITED. IT CAUSED A DISTRACTION FOR ME WHILE DRIVING AS I THREW UP MY HANDS TO SHIELD MY FACE. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 5 INCHES NEAR THE LOWER PORTION…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1637334
    • "UNEXPLAINED WINDSHIELD CRACKING STARTING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE EDGE OF THE WINDOW BY THE DEFROSTER."~700,000 mi, complaint #1640986
  3. #3

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 stranded, 31 unsafe, 18 annoyance

    51
    incidents
    Typical range: 29,500–50,000 mi

    Median 38,000 mi, based on 47 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "SUBARU 2017 PUSH BUTTON START ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE WITH CAR GEAR SELECTOR STILL IN DRIVE. WHEN I DID THIS, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL AS I EXITED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ONE FOOT STILL IN THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL."~5,000 mi, complaint #1399739
    • "WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS LEAVES ME STRANDED AS I CAN NOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN MEXICO. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #1658792
    • "AFTER PARKING, I FREQUENTLY CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE. IT CAN TAKE DOZENS OF RESTARTS, SWITCHING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE TO PARK AND MOVING THE WHEEL TO BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE KEY. ALSO, FREQUENTLY…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1534956
    • "THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AT THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THE SHIFTER ALSO DOES NOT LOCK MAKING IT EASY FOR THE SHIFTER TO BE KNOCKED OUT OF PARK. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT MY RESIDENCE ON A SLIGHT GRADE. AS I WAS GETTING…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1535233
    • "MUTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PUT INTO PARK,REGARDLESS OF WHERE, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE SWITCH CAN BE TURNED OFF, BUT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE GEAR SHIFT HAS TO BE MANIPULATED MULTIPLE TIMES BETWEEN DRI…"~93,700 mi, complaint #1684797
  4. #4

    unintended acceleration

    27 unsafe

    27
    incidents
    Typical range: 20,500–42,000 mi

    Median 31,000 mi, based on 26 reports (47% had no usable mileage)

    • "ON 8 JUNE 2017 I HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A MEDICAL SUITE WHEN MY LEASED THREE MONTH OLD 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 1,000 MILES SUDDENLY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE JUMPING THE CURB AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL AND SUITE DOOR…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1395826
    • "THE CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING. ONLY HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR. DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE OR WHAT I WAS DOING BUT FOR SURE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN & AS I BRAKED THE CAR ALSO ACCELERATED AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATES. IT'S BEEN AWHILE AGO. *TR"~30,000 mi, complaint #1663494
    • "OUTBACK ACCELERATES BY ITSELF RANDOMLY. I NOTICE MOST WHEN APPROACHING STOP SIGN AND SWITCH FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE. *TR"~36,000 mi, complaint #1663522
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after driving onto the driveway and pressing the brake pedal to park, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, drove forward, and crashed into the garage door. The contact shifted…"~41,000 mi, complaint #2130560
    • "PULLING INTO OUR GARAGE (AS WE HAVE DONE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF TIMES SINCE OWNING THE CAR), OUR 2017 OUTBACK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL INTO THE BACK WALL OF OUR GARAGE. CAR HAD BEEN STOPPED AT THE PARKING POSITION IN THE GARAGE AND WAS BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1700327
  5. #5

    transmission automatic

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 39,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN MARCH,2017. IT HAS 1946 MILES. CAR HAS SAFETY ISSUES. CAR DOESN'T GO INTO PARK, INSTEAD IT GOES INTO REVERSE. IT HAPPENED WHEN COME HOME TRY TO PUT IN PARK, I COME OUT OF THE CAR BUT IT START GOING BACK. ALSO AFTER THAT IT WAS…"~1,946 mi, complaint #1380158
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT WAS THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AND INADVERTENTLY MOVED THE GEAR SHIFTER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE UNTIL SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO MANUAL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE'…"~3,500 mi, complaint #1353428
    • "TRANSMISSION PERIODICALLY PUTS EXTRA POWER TO WHEELS DURING BRAKING RESULTING IN MANY NEAR MISSES."~32,000 mi, complaint #1626626
    • "NUMEROUS TIMES OVER PAST TWO MONTHS, WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STALLS CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP. AT LEAST ONCE, WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC, A CAR BEHIND HAD TO DO AN EMERGENCY SLOWDOWN TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. TWO SUBARU DEALERS HAVE CHECK…"~66,200 mi, complaint #1730428
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR BOX FAILED TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHICH CAUSED THE KEY TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SUBARU OF…"~93,700 mi, complaint #1684768
  6. #6

    airbag system

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 3,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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…"~700 mi, complaint #1320503
    • "SEPTEMBER 9TH 2017, OUR OUTBACK WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON A MIXED RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL STREET INTERSECTION, WHEN IT WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, HARD ENOUGH TO SPIN THE CAR SO THAT THE LEFT REAR CORNER MADE CONTACT WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE IMPAC…"~3,100 mi, complaint #1408991
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…"~3,360 mi, complaint #1338582
    • "I HIT A LARGE DEER ON IH 10 AT 75 MPH. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SAFELY BUT CONPLETELY BLOCKED MY VISION AND PREVENTED ME FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE AS THE BAGS BLOCKED DOOR HANDLES, WINDOW CONTROL SWITCHES AND MY SEAT BELT RELEASE. ANOTHER MOTORIST CUT AIR BAG STRIP…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1560783
    • "CAR WAS REAR ENDED (DRIVER SIDE REAR) AT FULL SPEED, WHICH THEN PUSHED US INTO A PARKING LOT, SPECIFICALLY THE CORNER WITH A CEMENT PILING WITH A LIGHT POLE WHICH COLLAPSED, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED."~30,000 mi, complaint #1740586
  7. #7

    engine stall or no start

    4 stranded, 10 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 18,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING BACK TO MICHIGAN FROM FLORIDA, MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK (6000 MILES) STALLED TWICE UNEXPECTEDLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON I75. THE VEHICLE WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN IT STALLED. I COASTED TO THE MEDIAN, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1371964
    • "I TURNED THE CAR ON WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, AND SWITCHED TO REVERSE BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I SWITCHED IT TO DRIVE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV; THE TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE. I SWITCHED THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND CALLED BROWN'…"~15,541 mi, complaint #1440425
    • "I TURNED THE CAR ON WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, AND SWITCHED TO REVERSE BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I SWITCHED IT TO DRIVE AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATION PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV; THE TIRES WOULD NOT MOVE. I SWITCHED THE CAR TO NEUTRAL AND CALLED BOB WA…"~17,800 mi, complaint #1440427
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as designed. The contact stated that the failure had occur…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1875273
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 15, 2017. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL SUBARU (920 CAPITAL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CA 9…"~38,718 mi, complaint #1616911
  8. #8

    sunroof

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "EXPLODING SUN ROOF: ON 11/23/2017 OUR FAMILY WAS DRIVING FROM HILLSBORO, OR TO COOSBAY, OR FOR A FAMILY THANKSGIVING DINNER. WHILE WE WERE ON INTERSTATE I-5 SOUTH JUST NEAR COTTAGE GROVE, OR WE HEARD A LOUD SHATTER WHICH SCARED ALL OF US, WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1435581
    • "SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NOT ATTRIBUTED TO IMPACT FROM FOREIGN OBJECT DEBRIS. CONDITIONS INDICATE THAT THERMAL SHOCK HAS LIKELY EXPOSED DEFECTS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND OTHER VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SIMILAR…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1482841
    • "HELLO, SEE ATTACHED PICS OF OUR OUTBACK SUNROOF THAT EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN GA CROSSING SOUTH NEWPORT RIVER IN TOWNSEND, GA 31331 AROUND 10:55 A.M ON 11/19/17. ALL OCCUPANTS HEARD A LOUD POP AND SOUND OF GLASSING EXITING THE REAR OF THE…"~12,200 mi, complaint #1426541
    • "MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-80 IN NEBRASKA. WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND, HER SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR ANYTHING AHEAD FO THE EVENT. LUCKILY THE HEADLINER SHADE WAS CLOSED SO THE DIDN'T GET HIT BY GLASS AND WERE ABL…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1592852
    • "SUNROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING STRAIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WE HEARD A LOUD POP AS OUR SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED INTO SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS OUT OF THE TOP OF THE CAR."~27,927 mi, complaint #1458334
  9. #9

    control module

    3 stranded, 8 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "OPEN LETTER TO SUBARU AND SUBARU OWNERS. I HAVE A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE REASON I PURCHASED THE CAR WAS THE HIGH SAFETY RATINGS. I CAME HOME YESTERDAY, DROVE INTO THE GARAGE AND SHUT THE CAR OFF I THOUGHT. I APPARENTLY DID NOT PUSH THE START AND KILL BUTTON…"~12,123 mi, complaint #1414375
    • "THE DATA CONTROL MODULE FAILED AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES. IT'S A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AND BECAUSE OF NOT DRIVING LAST YEAR (2020), THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. WE ARE PAYING $1500, FOR A FAILED PART (DATA CONTROL MODULE) THAT CAUSED TWO CONSECUTIV…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1745913
    • "IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK AND WOULD NOT COME OUT BECAUSE OF FAULTY SHIFT GEAR SENSOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE PARK POSITION."~50,000 mi, complaint #1617256
    • "KEY NOT RELEASING FROM IGNITION AFTER PUTTING CAR INTO PARK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AS SUBARU PUT OUT SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 16-112-18R. SUBARU STATES "THE CAUSE IS CONTAMINATION OF THE PARK-RANGE SWITCH INTERNAL COMPONENTS." SO IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT B…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1698755
  10. #10

    adas collision warning

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 16,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY APPLIED ITSELF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE ASPHALT BEING AT AN ANGLE WHERE IT WAS CLOSE TO THE SENSORS OF THE VEHICLE. AUTON…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1412122
    • "BOUGHT A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON 2.5I PREMIUM WITH OPT PACKAGE 14 LAST FEB, 2017. THE OPTION PACKAGE WAS THE EYESIGHT DRIVER-ASSIST SYSTEM. TWICE SO FAR, WHILE DRIVING IN GOOD WEATHER, THE BRAKES HAVE SLAMMED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON - LEAVING RUBBER ON THE…"~9,280 mi, complaint #1467442
    • "I HAD TWO SIGNIFICANT BRAKING PROBLEMS WITHIN TWO DAYS. BOTH DAYS WERE CLEAR AND SUNNY, WITH NO SNOW, ICE OR RAIN. THE FIRST OCCURRED WHEN MY WIFE AND I WERE ON A LOCAL STREET. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. INSTEAD OF STOPPING, THE CAR ACC…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1548934
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 25-35 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHEN THERE WAS NO OBJECT PRESENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED IT HAPPENED WHILE APPROACHING A CURVE. ADDITIONAL…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1684823
    • "I OWN AND DRIVE A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM. I LIKE THIS CAR AND ENJOY DRIVING IT. MY CAR HAS THE FULL EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM. ON SEPTEMBER 27 2019 I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON THE NORTHEAST EXTENSION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. I WAS A FEW MILES SOUTH OF T…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1615608
  11. #11

    other

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I WAS DRIVING 75 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN HOLIDAY SKI TRAFFIC AND THE PANEL JUST ABOVE THE BRAKE AND GAS PETAL FELL DOWN AND BLOCKED MY ACCESS TO THE BREAK PETAL AND LIMITED MY ABILITY TO MOVE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PETAL. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF…"~900 mi, complaint #1357351
    • "WON'T LET ME REMOVE THE KEY WHEN IN PARK. DIAGNOSIS IS THE SHIFTER [REDACTED PLATE] NEEDS REPLACED."~45,000 mi, complaint #1680796
    • "WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 15 AND ABOUT 45 MINUTES INTO MY TRIP TO TAKE MY COUSINS BACK TO THE AIRPORT IN SALT LAKE CITY FROM IDAHO FALLS THE HOOD OF THE CAR JUST FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CARE WAS UN-DRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1706500
  12. #12

    power windows and locks

    7 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE ALL THE WINDOWS FAILED TO F…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1327001
    • "DOOR LOCKS DOORS DONT AUTOLOCK WHEN IN DRIVE. DOOR WOULD HAVE OPENED WHILE DRIVING."~4,500 mi, complaint #1402837
    • "WHEN YOU HIT THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE REAR HATCH IT DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE TIME. YOU GET THREE BEEPS AND THE HATCH DOES NOT OPEN. IF YOU USE THE KEY FOB AND ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH IS THE SAME THING THREE BEEPS AND DOES NOT OPEN. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT…"~7,341 mi, complaint #1634443
    • "FRONT RIGHT POWER WINDOW. POWER WINDOW ON PASSENGER SIDE GOES DOWN, WHEN PULL TO CLOSE, GOES UP THEN OPENS/COMES DOWN AGAIN. WON'T STAY UP."~28,000 mi, complaint #1548904
    • ">>>THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUSLY FILED NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE ID 11415232 <<< IN MY PREVIOUS FILING, I DID FORGET TO INCLUDE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2017 OUTBACK…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1745467
  13. #13

    wiring harness

    3 stranded, 6 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO AND THE ENGINE BECAME SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MARIN SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. RESULT IS THAT A RODENT MUST HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE SOY-BASED HARNESS COVERING…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1362910
    • "WITH ALL ITEMS OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE DRAINS THE BATTERY IN A SHORT TIME. I HAVE INSTALLED A SWITCH ON THE BATTERY TO OPEN CIRCUIT SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T DRAIN WHILE PARKED. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM BEING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PAR…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1744901
    • "TWICE SINCE PURCHASED MARCH 2017 ELECTRICAL FAILURES HAVE CAUSED ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS TO GO ON; STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK, VARIOUS DRIVER AIDS HAVE CEASED TO OPERATE, AND ENGINE POWER WAS SEVERELY REDUCED (ALTHOUGH CAR STILL RAN). FIRST FAILURE WAS…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1498853
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AT 7:00 AM IN THE MORNING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (DWAYNE LANE'S ARLINGTON CHEVROLET, [REDACTED ADDRESS], ARLINGTON, WA 98223) WHERE IT…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1415886
    • "THIS CAR HAS HAD REPEATED ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CAR IS ON IT'S THIRD BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. SUUBARU PAID FOR THE LAST "AFTERMARKET" BATTERY BASED ON MY REQUEST AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. THE SAFETY ISSUE CAME UP FROM THE LAST PROBLEM: THE KEY WAS S…"~39,000 mi, complaint #1738268
  14. #14

    alignment and pull

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 6,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I PURCHASED MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK BRAND NEW IN JANUARY, 2017. CURRENTLY, IN MAY 2017, THE VEHICLE HAS 3200 MILES OF OPERATION. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THREE-FOLD. 1. AROUND TOWN IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE STEERING IS HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT IS…"~3,200 mi, complaint #1375708
    • "THE CAR IS SQUIRLY ON SNOW AND ICE, FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS PLAY IN IT AND BACK END KEEPS MOVING. FEELS LIKE IM TRYING TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD AND ARMS GET TIRED. THIS IS GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. ONLINE FORUMS THEY DESCRIBE IT AS GHOST WALK…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1530084
    • "THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE WANDER. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY HIGH STEERING EFFORT. DURING HIGH SPEED (60+ MPH) AND CROSS WINDS, THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY FEEL AS IF IT'S DRIVING ON ICE. IT FEELS AS IF IT'S SLIPPING AND SLIDING WITH LITTLE OR NO CONTROL THROUG…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1448015
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON CLEAR DRY ROADWAYS, THE STEERING FEELS AS IF I HAVE A BRIEF LOSS OF CONTROL. I LIKEN IT TO HITTING A PATCH OF ICE AND HAVING A SLIGHT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I'VE NOTICED IT TWICE WHILE ENTERING A CURVE AND DECELERATING F…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1632455
    • "WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN DURING SNOW FALL WITH A FULLY PACKED CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPERIENCED THE REAR END "GHOST WALKING" OR "STEERING" OR "PULLING" TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO DRIVE 40MPH WHILE TWO…"~37,000 mi, complaint #1716651
  15. #15

    throttle and pedal

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHILE BRAKING AT AN INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. I NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON MY FOOT POSITION EVERY TIME I HIT THE BRAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FOOT DOES NOT ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GAS ALSO. FOR YOUR…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1427769
    • "WHEN PULLING INTO A HEAD NO PRKING SPACE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR SPED FORWARD SEVERAL FEET, HITTING A ROCK IN THE LAWN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH CAR SPEEDING UNTIL I COULD HIT THE BRAKE."~9,190 mi, complaint #1565553
    • "SIMILAR TO COMPLAIN DATED 12/09/2016 BY SOMEONE ELSE. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I WAS AT A LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND I HAD TO SWITCH TO NEUTRAL TO RETURN TO IDLE SPEED. I NOTIFIED A SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE…"~14,241 mi, complaint #1501364
    • "YESTERDAY MORNING, I STOPPED MY SUBARU IN ORDER TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE, THE ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING FULL-THROTTL…"~31,952 mi, complaint #1595624
  16. #16

    door latch and hinge

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "VEHICLE DESIGN SAFETY DEFECT: AFTER LOCKING DOORS WHILE SEATED IN VEHICLE MUST SELECT UNLOCK TO EXIT VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY SAFETY DICTATES THAT PULLING DOOR OPEN LEVER WOULD OPEN DOOR IN ONE ACTION."~739 mi, complaint #1739541
    • "WHEN STATIONARY, THE REAR LIFT GATE OPENS WITHOUT BEING NEARBY OR ACTIVATING SWITCH. ONE TIME AFTER THE GATE OPENED, IT APPARENTLY DID NOT SHUT PROPERLY. AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE CAR BATTERY DIED. THE BATTERY WAS 6 MONTHS OLD. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, GATE H…"~45,100 mi, complaint #1667766
    • "THE REAR HATCH AFTER USE IT APPEARS TO BE CLOSED. IT DOES NOT INDICATE IT IS NOT LATCHED OR CLOSED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. THE BACK UP INDICATOR DID NOT ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS A CAR COMING ACROSS BEHIND ME."~65,000 mi, complaint #1721087
  17. #17

    adas lane keeping

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (WHEN STARTING IN DRIVEWAY - STOPPED, WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOT - 5 MPH, DRIVING IN TOWN - 25 MPH, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY - 60 MPH) ALL ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) EYE SIGHT (FAB - FORWARD AUT…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1620849
    • "WHEN LANE KEEP ASSIST IS ON AT NIGHT (USES EYESIGHT TO KEEP YOU IN YOUR LANE) THE CAR STEERING WHEEL HAS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THERE HAD BEEN SOME ROAD REPAIRS WITH SOME PARTS OF THE ROAD HAVING NEW ASPHALT AT…"~27,500 mi, complaint #1526232
  18. #18

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE MILES TO GO BEFORE NEEDING FUEL MONITORING SYSTEM SAID WE HAD 60 MILES OF FUEL LEFT. WHEN REACHED 30 MILES OF FUEL LEFT ON THE FUEL MONITORING SYSTEM THE CAR DIED AS IF WE WERE OUT OF GAS. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN U…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1536258
    • "FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER FULL WHEN CAR IS FILLED UP. DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE FIRST TIME AND PROBLEM RETURNED SAME DAY AFTER FILLING UP AGAIN. HAVE TO GO BACK AGAIN TO DEALER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER PROPERLY CAR MAY RUN OUT OF GAS…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1419854
    • "OUR OUTBACK RAN OUT OF GAS ON TWO OCCASIONS: THE LOW FUEL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, THE FUEL GAUGE REGISTERED ABOUT 1/4 TANK AND COMPUTER SAID 100-120 MILES LEFT ON THE TANK. OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES AND THEY ARE DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. INCIDENT #1: 10/…"~24,876 mi, complaint #1518685
    • "CAR LOST POWER AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEED WITH 1/8 TANK APPARENT REMAINING ON THE GAS GAUGE AND 60 MILES REMAINING ON THE MILES TO GO INDICATOR. ADDED 1 GALLON AT ROADSIDE AND CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. ADDED AN ADDITIONAL 15.5 GALLONS AT A ST…"~43,600 mi, complaint #1642116
    • "FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE AND DOES NOT SHOW NEAR EMPTY WHEN NO USABLE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. WE WERE DRIVING TO AN EVENT WITH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. COMPLETE ENGINE STALL (NO SPUTTERING/ETC. BEFORE…"~46,900 mi, complaint #1557925
  19. #19

    infotainment head unit

    2 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A GLARE FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT REFLECTED OFF THE FACE PLATE OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE DISTRACTED THE CONTACT FROM DRIVING AND HINDERED HER VI…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1345867
    • "ON THE HIGHWAY CRUISING AT 10:19AM IN OCT 13 2017, A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK FROZE ABRUPTLY. SPECIFICALLY, MY ON-BOARD GPS NAVIGATION SCREEN FROZE, THE DIGITAL CLOCK FROZE (ON 10:19AM), AND THE HEADS UP DISPLAY OF NAVIGATION DIRECT…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1425002
    • "ON A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS GLARE FROM THE CENTER INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY DIRECTLY REFLECTS ON THE EYES, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THE SCREEN SHOULD BE ANTI GLARE. SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE REPLIED THEY COULD…"~12,150 mi, complaint #1405175
    • "TOUCH SCREEN MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM FREEZES AND MAKES HANDFREE CALLING, VOICE COMMANDS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ON SCREEN AND CERTAIN CONTROL FUNCTIONS ON STEERING WHEEL INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE."~45,000 mi, complaint #1570582
  20. #20

    transmission cvt

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "AS EXIT MY LEVEL GARAGE THE DRIVEWAY IS ON AT 9% DOWN SLOPE WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND BACK UP OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THEN PLACE THE CAR TO DRIVE TO MOVE BACK UP THE DRIVEWAY TO LOAD MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILD THE CAR SLIPS BACKWARDS BETWEEN ONE AND 3 FEET…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1364480
    • "WE LIVE IN LA. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR NEW ON 5/31/17 FROM SUBARU OF SANTA MONICA. AT AROUND 6,000 MILES WE HAD ITS OIL CHANGED PRIVATELY IN DURANGO, CO, WHERE WE SPEND SUMMERS. BACK IN LA ON 12/17/17 WE WENT TO SUBARU OF SM FOR ANY REQUIRED ADDITIONAL SERVICE. THEY…"~10,112 mi, complaint #1505899
    • "CVT TRANSMISSION AT 35326 MILES STARTED DISTRIBUTING POWER INDISCRIMINATELY TO ANY OF THE 4 WHEEL CAUSING INSTABILITY AND SHAKING WHEN DRIVING. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN DRIVING. TRANSMISSION REQUIRES REPLACEMENT."~35,326 mi, complaint #1654744
    • "IN TWO SEPARATE EVENTS THE CAR LOST POWER WHILE ACCELLORATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STAND STILL. THE GAS PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND THE TRANMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT THE ENGINE STALLED, AND IN THE SECOND IT SPU…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1567428
  21. #21

    engine oil consumption

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The 2017 Subaru Outback has been slowly leaking oil and it has been determined that the cam carrier seal is defective and needs to be replaced. The vehicle has 70k miles on it and it has been brought to my attention that this a common problem among this vehicl…"complaint #1878399
    • "Bought this car after having oil consumption issues with another outback Bought from another dealer that wasn't care for properly. Within 6 months of have this new one from an actual subaru dealership started to have oil consumption issues as well. Have gone t…"complaint #1903258
    • "There is a known cam carrier leak issue for this engine, and no safety recall has been issued. The motor oil leaks down to the hot exhaust creating smokes and may cause a fire. "complaint #1918184
    • "11/06/23: During a routine oil change at the dealer a multipoint vehicle inspection was conducted. The inspection revealed an upper oil pan leak. The repair involved removing the engine and replacing various components (gasket, O-Rings and etc.). The vehicle…"complaint #1953785
    • "PER SUBARUS BULLETIN 02-192-25 POSED ON 10-26-2024 THEY PROVIDED DETAILS ON HOW TO FIX A LEAK FROM ZONE 4 FOR CAM SHAFT CARRIER AND VALVE COVER. I HAVE A LEAK FROM THESE TWO ITEMS NOTED. I HAVE BEEN BREATHING THE OIL FUMES FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. I HAVE HAD TH…"complaint #2073159
  22. #22

    instrument cluster

    4 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SAFETY DEFECT OPERATOR DATA: BLIND SPOT INDICATOR IS ONLY PRESENTED ON EXTERNAL REVIEW MIRROR. DATA SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN CENTER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RATHER THAN HAVING TO DEFLECT FOCUS FROM DIRECTION OF TRAVEL."~701 mi, complaint #1739546
    • "FUEL GAUGE ERRATIC. CAR RAN OUT OF GAS AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE SHOWING 70 MILES REMAINING ON TRIP COMPUTER AND OVER 1/8 OF A TANK ON GAUGE. STARTING THE CAR SHOWS DIFFERENT FUEL LEVEL FROM ONE TIME TO THE NEXT (E.G.-SHOWS OVER FULL WHEN LAST STARTE…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1520437
  23. #23

    lighting exterior

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE HEADLIGHTS (HID WITH AUTO-LEVELING) ARE POINTED DANGEROUSLY LOW. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD FAR ENOUGH. A DRIVER WOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME TO REACT, GIVEN THIS LIMITED ILLUMINATION DISTANCE. SUBARU DEALERSHIPS ARE ADAMANT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE AD…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1738417
  24. #24

    backup camera

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "LEASE DATE | 08/25/17 ON 01/17/18 AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM TURNING ON AND OFF, I NOTICE THAT A PIECE OF FOAM HAD FALLEN IN THE WAY OF THE PASSENGER CAMERA. I NOTIFIED SUBARU OF AMERICA OF THIS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AND MIKE SHAW SUBARU FIXE…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1447633
    • "CAMERA DISPLAY DOES NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY THE REAR VIEW IMAGE WHILE BACKING UP. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 5/25/2019."~8,000 mi, complaint #1570572
    • "REAR BACKUP CAMERA REMAINS ON AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. SCREEN HAS SEVERE BURN IN WITH “Z” PATTERN ACROSS ENTIRE DISPLAY. MAKING IT UN-VIEWABLE."~20,000 mi, complaint #1747403
  25. #25

    brake hydraulics

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "FIRST BRAKING ISSUE (ALSO POWER TRAIN): THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ONLY SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE GAS PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING, MY RIGHT FOOT HAS HIT BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGEN…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1394504
    • "The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while reversing, the vehicle accelerated backward. The contact pumped the brake pedal and was depressed aggressively several times however the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle collided with a pil…"~41,806 mi, complaint #1818950
  26. #26

    steering column

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "IGNITION KEY BECOMES LOCKED IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. MANY TIMES WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF THE KEYS BECOME STUCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN. IT IS NECESSARY TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND SOMETIMES EVEN MOVE THE CAR AND PARK A 2ND OR 3RD T…"~19,966 mi, complaint #1513401
    • "KEYS FREQUENTLY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE UNABLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. THE ENTIRE GEARSHIFTERHAD TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT FOR THI…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1704097
  27. #27

    trunk or liftgate

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "REPEATED ISSUES WITH REAR LIFT GATE. INCLUDING NOT OPENING AND STICKING AN ANIMAL IN THE BACK AND NOT SHUTTING COMPLETING HOWEVER GIVING THE INDICATION OF SHUT. TODAY 7-25-19, I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES AN HOUR AND THE LIFTGATE NOT SHUT LIGHT I…"~17,350 mi, complaint #1588121
    • "MULTIPLE TIMES THE TAILGATE HAS SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED WHEN WE WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM ISSUES LIKE RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN, INCLEMENT WEATHER DAMAGING THE INTERIOR AND THE THEFT OF CONTENTS OF THE CAR ARE ISSUES. THUS FAR, THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN MO…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1715204
  28. #28

    wiper and washer

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CRACKED WINDSHIELD REPLACED, WIPERS HAVE NOT WORKED AS WELL AFTER"~20,000 mi, complaint #1648490
  29. #29

    corrosion and rust

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS RUSTING FROM INSIDE. ISSUE WAS INFORMED TO SUBARU IN 2018 AND IN JAN 2021 THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. "complaint #1722731
    • "Noticed rust bubble in the inner and outer paint of the driver front door pillar December 2021. Noticed it was getting substantially worse and reported it to Subaru July 2022. They said there was no pinhole in the rust and would not be covered. Showed it to…"complaint #1955120
    • "On 08/17/17 I purchased a new Outback off a Subaru dealers' lot. The fall of 2023 I noticed rust starting on the column portion of the driver's side door. It is on the CAR INTERIOR, ABOVE THE WINDOW. This is a highly unusual area for rust to start. Typicall…"complaint #2053729
  30. #30

    starter

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WOULD FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD REPLACED…"~4,000 mi, complaint #1721333
    • "I BELIEVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: DEC.31, 2020: CAR HESITATES TO START. IT NEVER TURNS OVER SO IT DOES NOT EVER START. WE INSTALL NEW BATTERY & CAR STARTS. MID-JAN.2021: CAR WON'T START FROM PUSH START, B…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1745440
  31. #31

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Auto Cruise Control feature failed to function properly. The contact stated that the Auto Cruise Control feature only operated as needed 35% of the time. Addi…"~74,000 mi, complaint #2002326
  32. #32

    fuel pump

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AFTER USING REMOTE START AND AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO ACTUALLY TURN OFF IGNITION, REMOVE KEY AND STILL DRIVE CAR. HAD TO PULL FUEL PUMP FUSE TO DISABLE THE CAR."~29,900 mi, complaint #1515312
  33. #33

    mirror

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE DIMMERS FOR THE REARVIEW MIRRORS. SHE STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE MIRRORS AND THE MIRRORS THEMSELVES WERE TOO DARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD TINTED WINDOWS.…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1589155
    • "THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF BECAUSE THE GLASS SEPARATED WHERE THE MIRROR ATTACHES TO THE WINDSHIELD."~19,800 mi, complaint #1709630
  34. #34

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1371874
    • "MY OUTBACK HAS HORRIBLE WIND NOISE. ITS SO LOUD I CANT USE THE BLUETOOTH PHONE, NOR LISTEN TO THE RADIO. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE AND WILL IMPACT MY NEXT PURCHASE."~21,000 mi, complaint #1598645
  35. #35

    parking brake

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE FIRST OF [REDACTED ADDRESS] 509 WHEN TRAVELING WITH MY 12 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF [REDACTED ADDRESS], THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED ITSELF WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED. THE CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY AS IT TURNED TO THE RIGHT…"~2,831 mi, complaint #1438739
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the electric parking brake was stuck intermittently. The contact stated while shifting to drive(D) or reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that failure occurred after reve…"~24,000 mi, complaint #2004283
  36. #36

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I AM RANDOMLY UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. IT HAS TAKEN ME UP TO TEN MINUTES TO GET THE KEY OUT. SOMETIMES JUST WIGGLING THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION IS ENOUGH TO GET THE KEY TO RELEASE. OTHER TIMES I HAV…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1532864
  37. #37

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ERROR MESSAGE INDICATED STEERING OVER HEATED THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS "~37,000 mi, complaint #1539811
  38. #38

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT COMPLETELY COLLAPSED/FAILED AT 45000 MILES. I REPLACED (NOT AN EASY JOB) WITH SAME KYB OE PART."~45,000 mi, complaint #1609725
    • "The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the front wheel turned at a 45-degree angle. The contact was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact who is an independent m…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1941230
  39. #39

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TIRE FAILURE AT LOW MILEAGE. TIRES NOT PASSING SAFETY INSPECTION AFTER APPX 20,000 USE. TREAD DOWN TO 4//32. TIRES PURCHASED AT COSTCO . LINE IS MICHELIN PREMIER A/S . MULTI VISITS TO COSTCO TO INSPECT AFTER TWO INDEPENDENT TIRE INSPECTORS STATED THEY WOULD NO…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1655497
  40. #40

    transmission manual clutch

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "PARKING GEAR DISENGAGES INTO REVERSE, ENGINE RUNNING AND POWERED BACKWARDS. TWO INCIDENCES IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, BOTH ON LEVEL SURFACE WITH ENGINE RUNNING. REQUIRED GETTING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTLY MOVING IN REVERSE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON A LEV…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1472225
    • "THE GEAR SHIFTER DOES NOT GO IN TO PARK COMPLETELY ALLOWING FOR RELEASE OF THE KEY. THERE IS A 'RESET' YOU CAN DO IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR THEY WILL REPLACE THE SHIFTER SOLVING THE PROBLEM."~35,000 mi, complaint #1600163
  41. #41

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Departed home and haven drive say 100 yards roughly, car came to a full stop. Car would idle, I could shift into park drive, reverse etc.. There was NO reaction to pressing accelerator. I was stuck. I was in a slow traffic area so I was not concerned. If i wa…"complaint #1774642
  42. #42

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My Subaru Outback developed a strong smell of exhaust in the cabin last year. We finally had a chance to get it fixed in January, and it turned out the catalytic converter manifold had rusted through. The car is not that old, and is driven primarily in central…"complaint #1972716
  43. #43

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE COOLANT LOOSE AND HAS COOLANT SMELL AFTER DRIVE A CAR. I HAD SEVERAL SAME REASON SERVICE. THEY NOTHING WRONG THEY FILL UP COOLANT THAT'S IT. NOW ALMOST EMPTY RESERVOIR. AND IT'S OVER LIMITED WARRANTY. IT'S 36059 MILES."complaint #1600865
  44. #44

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • " Hi I had my car into the local Subaru Dealership (Wheeling Subaru) a few weeks ago to investigate a couple of issues that the car has been having for years (and they have never been able to find). Over the course of that investigation, they finally were able…"complaint #2076095
  45. #45

    engine internal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I been hearing a loud humming sound like a sports car and smell of fumes inside the cabin."complaint #2144525
  46. #46

    ev charging system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car will not hold a charge. Have seen dealer and called Subaru of America. Problem remains unresolved."complaint #1747665
  47. #47

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT ALL WAY BACK AFTER USE, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO GET STUCK INTO THE DOOR CAUSING DOOR JAMS AND DENTS INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE.…"~43,300 mi, complaint #1721488
  48. #48

    software or update

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t68632_ds1061822 I figured that out after reading all the previous threads on this site. Not happy! I will be getting back to them, and Subaru America as well. What doesn't seem to be clear from this thread is whether…"complaint #1788424
  49. #49

    stability and traction control

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "In the morning of Jan 28th, I drove this car off highway(North bound MoPac) to the ramp to frontage road to 360 in Austin TX. the vehicle lost control out of sudden and crashed to the left side of the road. the accident caused total loss of the vehicle but lu…"complaint #1896366
  50. #50

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On January 24th, 2022, during a regularly scheduled maintenance services appointment at a Subaru dealership, the service technician discovered that the steering rack on my 2017 Subaru Outback needed replacement. At that time, I was advised it would be unsafe/…"complaint #1866376
  51. #51

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I BEGAN HEARING A PERIODIC LOUD METALLIC CLACK-CLACK-CLACK WHEN MAKING A LEFT U-TURN, WHICH SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE TIRE ROTATION DEPENDENT. IT SOUNDED AS IF IT CAME FROM THE FRONT END. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS I COULD HEAR IT RANDOMLY WHEN GOI…"~74,890 mi, complaint #1688785
  52. #52

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN ROTATING OR REPLACING TIRES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. FLASHED AT THE SUBARU DEALER SINCE 2015. IF NOT, THEY WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK AND WOULD FAIL INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURE…"complaint #1333653
  53. #53

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Rear bearing/hub assembly failure. Appears to be a known problem per information readily available online. Failure occurred at 40,746 miles. Replaced at dealership at my personal cost, out of warranty period. Hubs and bearings should not be failing at su…"complaint #1818510

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU OUTBACK directly.