The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Outback · 2017

2017 Subaru Outback. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index204100 = average car
Complaints406NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold188,886U.S. model year
Per 100K sold215complaints
Year rank#18 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,900 and 45,000 miles. Median 30,000, from 514 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical30,00018,000–44,000173
Wipers & visibility33,00020,000–48,000148
Transmission & drivetrain27,0005,200–44,90032
Engine32,0009,600–48,00021
Visibility49,50039,800–66,60030

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Wipers & visibility34%
Electrical25%
Transmission & drivetrain7%
Engine4%
Speed control4%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
91932317020

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 19V910000 Dec 2019 Air Bags / Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

    Defect. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

    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.

  • 16V716000 Oct 2016 Steering / Column

    Defect. 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. 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.

    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.

  • 16V576000 Aug 2016 Suspension

    Defect. 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. 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.

    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.

  • 16V292000 May 2016 Steering / Column

    Defect. 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. The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

    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 ar

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 397

Subaru filed 397 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • ONLY 2016-2017MY: Those Models equipped with STARLINK Telematics
  • Models with eyesight only
  • Reminder Bulletin: WQU56 Recall: Propeller Shaft Oil Seal Failure

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Subaru Outback SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback, 18.8M views.

TopicVideosViews
Timing chain & engine3452K
Gauges, lights & wiring3276K
Transmission & shifter3252K
Brakes & ABS2227K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2218K
Oil leaks & gaskets1176K
Windows, doors & mirrors2166K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2150K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20145990138,790Engine
2015171253152,294Wipers & visibility
2016116212182,898Wipers & visibility
2017204406188,886Wipers & visibility
2018316580178,854Wipers & visibility
2019391723181,178Wipers & visibility
2020551794153,290Wipers & visibility

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data