Model year record

2017 Subaru Outback

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,157 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V910000

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Component
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
46
Reported to NHTSA
2019-12-19
Owners notified
2020-02-03

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V716000

Air bags: knee bolster

Component
Air bags: knee bolster
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
54
Reported to NHTSA
2016-10-06
Owners notified
2016-11-14

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V576000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
99
Reported to NHTSA
2016-08-03
Owners notified
2016-08-08

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V292000

Steering: column

Component
Steering: column
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
48,819
Reported to NHTSA
2016-05-11
Owners notified
2016-05-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system39030,000 mi
Visibility/wiper20833,000 mi
Unknown or other19327,800 mi
Engine5031,952 mi
Power train4724,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2920,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2756,500 mi
Steering2519,966 mi
Structure: body2522,300 mi
Service brakes2420,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1731,000 mi
Air bags163,100 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1222,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1020,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings1042,000 mi
Exterior lighting827,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery640,000 mi
Suspension645,000 mi
Wheels69,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection515,000 mi
Seat belts53,100 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)414,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition345,000 mi
Visibility348,000 mi
Back over prevention: automatic system braking225 mi
Lane departure: assist2
Lane departure: warning2
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch2
Seats241,000 mi
Tires245,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2129,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette1
Back over prevention: rearview system braking165,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1
Electrical system: ignition: switch139,700 mi
Equipment197,000 mi
Parking brake124,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)193,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: CVT1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: switch/sensor/float141,806 mi
Structure1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate135,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly112,200 mi

The 2016 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2018 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.