NHTSA lists 917 complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback, 32 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 17 complaints mention an injury, with 25 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SUBARU OUTBACK.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 413 | 45.0% | 0.97 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 180 | 19.6% | 0.66 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 143 | 15.6% | 0.47 |
|---|
| loss of control | 87 | 9.5% | 0.90 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 63 | 6.9% | 0.55 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 16 | 1.7% | 0.92 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 6 | 0.7% | 0.95 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 5 | 0.5% | 0.82 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 3 | 0.3% | 0.75 |
|---|
| unclear | 1 | 0.1% | 0.50 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| low | 547 | 59.7% | 0.79 |
|---|
| moderate | 325 | 35.4% | 0.78 |
|---|
| high | 40 | 4.4% | 0.91 |
|---|
| none | 3 | 0.3% | 0.54 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 0.2% | 0.77 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 917 tagged complaints of 917 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
4 recalls.
Date: 2019-12-19. Systems: AIR BAGS.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-10-06. Systems: AIR BAGS, STEERING.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-08-03. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, 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.
Consequence: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-05-11. Systems: STEERING.
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. (excerpt)
Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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 (excerpt)
Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
397 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 189 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 140 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 40 |
|---|
| STEERING | 39 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 27 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 23 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 23 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 19 |
|---|
11037943
Date: 2026-10-05. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
11037942
Date: 2026-09-28. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
11037938
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
11037940
Date: 2026-09-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
11037930
Date: 2026-09-15. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
11037927
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
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.
11037929
Date: 2026-09-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
11036804
Date: 2026-08-21. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
11036807
Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
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 version of the original bulletin.
11036810
Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.