Is the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2017 Subaru OUTBACK has 1102 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (392 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (235 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (177 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, SUSPENSION, STEERING:COLUMN, STEERING:COLUMN. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2017 Subaru OUTBACK gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2017 Subaru OUTBACK has 1102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is electrical problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: 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 function except for the driver side windo. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 32 crash reports 26 injuries

1102

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

392 complaints

36%

• 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 FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDO
• 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 THE SENSOR WIRE. REPAIR BILL = $1,400,
• 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 ENGINE. (BOTH TIMES) THE CONDITION HAS N

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 5 crashes

“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 FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 620 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

298

30-60K

242

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 178 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 175 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 91 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 32 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE19/12/2019

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.

Fix: 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.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2017 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1102 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE WINDO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: 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 VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MILEAGE: 248. CAR CONTINUE TO MOVE BACKWARD AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. SHIFTING BACK TO REVERSE AND AGAIN TO FORWARD ( 3 TIMES) DID NOT HELP. IT HAPPENED ON A LEVEL PARKING LOT (SLOW SPEED MOVING). AFTER SHIFTING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FROM PARKING TO REVERSE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING BA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)