10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,553 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 Subaru Outback miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2017 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 8 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Nov 012018

Outback

  • 5,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On numerous occasions in past 6 weeks, I have been unable to turn key to lock so car is turned off and I cannot withdraw the key. Only by excessive "playing around" with gear shift etc. Can I finally get key out. This could present serious problems to anyone. My dealer not particularly helpful-said if not doing it when bring car in-they can't fix. If you go on internet your can see that has been a recurring problem for Subaru owners of various models. I can't believe there hasn't been a recall. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Oceanport, NJ, USA

problem #15

Nov 012018

Outback

  • 12,000 miles
Battery has failed three times with no reason found. Charged then dead next morn with nothing left on etc. Cold temp was not a factor. Once was possibility connected to the rear gate motor which I could hear at one point, but they found nothing...the car was in the garage twice, and in driveway other times.below date is the latest, the first time being 12/17;milage is at 11/1 encounter

- Whitesboro, NY, USA

problem #14

Sep 302018

Outback

  • 18,000 miles
We were traveling with our moon roof closed but the moon roof cover open. We hear an explosion and I thought someone hit me from behind. Next think I know glass is falling on my head and on my wife and dog's head. One of the scariest moments of driving I have ever experienced. Weather was cloudy no rain, no rocks no overhead bridges. This was truly a defect in the moon roof glass.

- Darien, CT, USA

problem #13

Sep 222018

Outback

  • 14,241 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 on the internet. This month I had 4 occasions that I had similar experience in a shopping mall trying to turn right into a parking space. This Friday I tried to park in my garage after 5 miles drive, and my wife was a passenger, I turned the wheel slightly to the left when the engine revved up from idle of 600 to 2000 RPM and then went to 4000 RPM. I was using the brake and I felt a skid of a tire. Switched to neutral and park and turned off the engine. My wife was scared and would not ride in my car. I have an appointment with my wakefield Subaru dealer on 09/25/18, I did not drive my car since the last episode. My odometer is 14241 miles. I am positive I did not step on the gas, only the brake.

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #12

Mar 252018

Outback

  • 22,000 miles
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 level parking strip and caused injury to the passenger. The second incident was in our garage on a level surface, and we narrowly avoided property by quickly gaining control of the car. A different driver for each incident. We are very concerned about this problem and the safety issues with the parking gear disengaging into powered reverse gear. Our dealer was very responsive but were unable to duplicate the problem and offer a solution.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

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problem #11

Mar 082018

Outback

  • 9,280 miles
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 road and throwing my wife and I forward. They apply for approx 2-3 seconds and then - the car continues. Fortunately, this has happened on roads that have not been busy and no one behind us. I immediately took the car to the dealer when this happened on 3/8/2018 and was informed they were not aware of any issue that would cause this. This contradicted what the service rep told me on 1/8/2018 when I took it in for the 6,000 mile service. He told me a computer update had been run to correct this. I requested that they download the onboard computer after this second incident which should show speed, braking, turning, etc... when I dropped it off. On pick up, we were told that the car computer does not record this information, they test drove the car and could not duplicate the issue and no defect found. I contacted Subaru of America and provided all of the information to them. They advised they would contact the dealer and get all of the details. They later followed up with me and advised there were no stored failed codes and no issues found with the eyesight system and no information stored on this incident in the car. Therefore, no issue or defect with the eyesight system and they could not recommend any repairs. This lack of computer stored information contradicts what their own manual says. It states 'eyesight records and stores the following data when the pre-collision braking system is operated.' It then lists - stereo camera image; distance from vehicle in front; vehicle speed; steering wheel turning; brake pedal operation'etc. I now turn eyesight off when driving as I have no trust/faith in it.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #10

Mar 122018

Outback

  • 9,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was turning left into a driveway at resurrection cemetery in monterey park ca when I heard a loud popping sound and then noticed the front windshield was cracked. It appeared nothing had hit it. The crack is located in the center lower bottom starting from the edge and creating an "L" pattern. It is a Subaru 2017 Outback with 9,100 miles.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 212018

Outback

  • 9,000 miles
The Subaru Outback, 2017, 9000 mis. Seemed to be losing battery power on each start and then nothing. Battery is dead. Jump started it..no start except every dash light came on. Had to shift gear while not started, put in park and hit shifter to start. Why is the battery dead and will not start on a jump start" thankfully, vehicle was parked at home when it would not start. Subaru dealer told me to bring it in to see if they can figure the problem. I believe it may have a faulty relay. They are thinking it is the shifting lever. If so, why is the battery totally dead"

- Hunlock Creek, PA, USA

problem #8

Oct 192017

Outback

  • 12,000 miles
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 directions on the driver's hub froze. Who knows what other systems also locked up, which I couldn't observe. After I stopped and restarted the car, those things unfroze.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 022017

Outback

  • 1,896 miles
Windshield cracked today but nothing hit it.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 272017

Outback

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2017 sabaru Outback with the eyesight system. In late July 2017 I had to replace a windshield when I guess a pebble hit and it immediately spread a large crack that over next few days covered entire windshield. $678.80 + half day of work lost. On 9/27/17 as I was going about 10 mph entering highway I heard two popcorn pops - nothing hit the windshield- looked over, and the same type crack appeared starting at edge of window. This has spread over last few days to cover most of teh windshield. When the windshield replaced in July 2017, a lady waiting there told me that her 2016 Outback windshield had been replaced three (3) times already. This is an expensive consumer defect which sabaru refuses to acknowledge, and they will not cover teh windshield under the vehicle warranty.

- Cookeville, TN, USA

problem #5

Sep 092017

Outback

  • 3,100 miles
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 impact resulted in serious injuries requiring hospitalization and weeks of recovery. The airbags & seatbelt pre-tensioners did not activate. After the collision, the "sos" button was pressed, but there was no response from starlink. Several days later the starlink concierge called to advise us that the lights were "on" and checking on our wellbeing. They were unaware that the vehicle had been in an accident several days prior, nor did they have any record that the "sos" button had been activated. The cause of the non-activation is still under investigation by our insurance and Subaru

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 022017

Outback

  • 1,600 miles
Windshield had internal cracking developed where right under rear view mirror mounting area. No physical contact but the car was parked hot outside for 3 days and defect happened. Initially rear view mirror was still on windshield but after several days drive, it fell down. It is definitely safety related defect.

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 072017

Outback

  • 4,500 miles
Door locks doors dont autolock when in drive. Door would have opened while driving.

- Overland, MO, USA

problem #2

Dec 052016

Outback

  • miles
Front driver and front passenger doors do not lock automatically and remain unlock when shift in drive when car is stationary and also when care in motion. No voice, light or any alerts that alert the driver to lock the doors manually every time you drive the car. This a safety issue as if you forget to lock the doors manually and by any chance snaps on the door handle, car door will open and fatalities can occur. Spoke with service advisor at my Subaru dealer and he stated that this issue is real and there is no way to program the vehicle to lock the front doors automatically when it is in drive or at certain speed. I am not aware of any other cars that have same issue, even older cars 10 plus years old cars has this safety feature as standard. This issue is not mentioned anywhere in the vehicle manual and sales persons do not talk about. In my opinion this is a safety issue and a key factor when choosing to buy Subaru Outback.

- Irvington, NY, USA

problem #1

Mar 092017

Outback

  • miles
I would really like to purchase a new Subaru Outback, but the forward jutting headrests ("head-restraining system") is way too uncomfortable. We are learning all newer vehicles seem to have these remarkably uncomfortable and posture damaging forward tilts due to your recommendations/requirements. Please re-think your current recommendations and design recommended headrests which are safe and do not sacrifice posture and comfort. Your current recommendations are certainly leading to worsening arthitic symptoms and pain for people such as me and may be contributing to the opioid epidemic.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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