general problems of the 2017 Subaru Outback - part 1

The front passenger window does not work correctly all the time. The driver is not able to put the window up when pressing button on driver’s side and the passenger needs to keep pressing button to have it go back up again. So if the driver puts the window down while driving, the driver cannot put it back up. It occurs every few months. It’s such a common problem that there are many sites on you tube on how to fix it. It is known on you tube that it happens with Subaru often.

My car caught on fire while I was driving in 3/30/26. The far started somewhere in/near the front driver’s side, initial observed flames were coming from just above the front driver’s side tire. There were no warning lights on at the time the fire started. The car was a total loss by the time firefighters arrived.

Total of 3 incidents when my car had approx 1/8 to 1/4 of a tank of gas. . . . As going up incline on interstate. . . . Car like stalls and slows down, will not speed up. . . . Get it over to the side to avoid being hit and it finally starts going again. . . Close call with vehicles behind us in the passing lane. Below listed the last time it happened. . . Did not use to do this. . . First time was same area listed below in November 2025.

While driving, the car suddenly shut off while in motion. It came to a stop at the bottom of hill where we were able to put it in neutral, and push it into a parking lot. After that we attempted to start it 4 or 5 times, and the engine would turn over and shut off after a couple of seconds. After leaving it off for about 5 minutes, it was able to start. Additionally, it occasionally feels jerky while driving, usually at lower speeds.

Driving on a flat dry road with cloudy conditions we heard what sounded like a shotgun. Pulled over and found our moonroof exploded. I have dashcam video with audio of the explosion as well as photos and video of the damage immediately after.

The key gets stuck in the ignition when turning off the ignition.

The design of the dashboard along with the dashboard screen has a very poor design that makes it nearly impossible to see when the sun is out. When the sun is out and especially when driving towards the sun during sunset and sunrise, the dashboard reflects back the light onto the windshield making it essentially impossible to see objects that may be on the side of the road. Even with polarized sunglasses, I often find myself having to reduce my speed on 50 mph zones by as much as 30 mph under the speed limit in order to give myself enough time to potentially see hazards that would be unseen at higher speeds do to the severe glare. Without sunglasses, even driving during the middle of the day, the dashboard reflects light off the windshield that can make it nearly impossible to see objects, especially objects that are only visible on the lower third of the windshield. This faulty design has almost caused me to hit cyclist and or joggers on the road even going substantially below the speed limit due to being blinded by the sun. The second issue I have is with the backup screen on the dashboard. Whenever any sun hits the dashboard screen, it is essentially useless as the sun almost completely makes it impossible to see where I'm backing into. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone or any law enforcement, but I do feel this is a serious safety hazard and the design of the dashboard in that it reflects light right back into the windshield makes for an undue stressful experience and a very huge liability.

We have a Subaru 2017 and have had to replace the windshield twice. In each instance a small rock flew up and cracked the windshield. I have owned different models of cars for years and have never had to replace a windshield twice? is there a manufacturing defect in these windhshields? both times we have taken it to a Subaru dealer to have the windshield replaced and we ordered Subaru windshields not an after market product. I will upload the documents from the two dealers when I can but I just wanted to see if this is a common issue? looking online it seems to be.

Subaru was not willing to cover the cost to replace their faulty gear shifter. My key gets stuck in the ignition. This problem has been confirmed by a dealership. No warnings happen, it gets stuck. This is a safety issue because I have to leave my keys in my car (unlocked) and come back for them when the car decides to recognize that it is in park. This is a know issue and Subaru wiped its hands of me and said deal with it by yourself.

My windshield (which has had multiple class action lawsuits) cracked spontaneously sitting in my driveway. I contacted Subaru of America and they denied any responsibility and claimed there is no assistance they can provide. This crack has gone from about half of my windshield to nearly the entire windshield horizontally. This is clearly a defective product as numerous complaints have been made by owners of multiple Subaru models including the Outback. This is indeed a huge safety concern along with a very unfortunate lack of accountability by Subaru of America.

Car was being driven on the highway in cruise control, when the cruise control turned off and the car began to decelerate. When the gas pedal was pressed, the rpms shot up but there was no acceleration. The car was pulled over, turned off, and we were not able to turn it on again. The car was towed to a shop, where they were able to identify the engine wasn’t working but not the root cause, and also mentioned the possibility of there being a transmission problem. We then brought it to a Subaru dealer, and they said a similar thing without being able to diagnose anything more specific. This car is 8 years old and has had routine, consistent maintenance the entire time. The surprise of an engine failure with no warning is very alarming and dangerous.

I drive 2. 5miles to work, Tuesday [xxx], I was turning into the parking lot and my car just cut off. I couldn't use flashers, restart it, put it in park or anything else. I called my husband to come help. I thought maybe the battery cable might have come loose. It was dead. I couldn't get out, if I let my foot off the brake it would roll backwards, going into the road and I didn't want it to hurt anyone. It started smoking from the drivers front side of engine. I called my husband back and said please hurry. It took approximately 7 minutes for him to arrive. I was on the phone about the smoke when he drove up behind me. He told me to get out of the car it's on fire. He tapped my bumper to keep my car from rolling backwards. I jumped out, called 911. He had sandbags in the back of his truck. He put them under the back tires so it couldn't roll into the traffic. A lady stopped that had a fire extinguisher and [xxx] attempted to put the fire out. It was getting quite large. We couldn't open the hood, he could only spray it in the wheel area up front. He had to get back the fire was getting big. The car then exploded. It was so loud, fire and smoke. I went into work and asked to be let off for that day. I smelled like smoke and my lungs hurt. I inhaled so much smoke. My daughter got me a breathing treatment setup to help with breathing. The fire department came and put the fire out. They were so kind. No police showed up, so we only have a fire department report. The tow truck showed up and took my car away. When we got home we notified our insurance agent. :engine failed, if I had been on a busy street I would have been hit. The car just stopped where it was. Yes our insurance adjuster said it could be looked at by anyone. :yes my safety and the ones around me were put at risk. My lungs are still suffering. :no it's not been reproduced by anyone I know of. :no, there was no indications that pointed at something being wrong. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informati.

Horn stopped working. When I lock the car the horn makes noise notifying it is locked. I took it into the dealership they think it’s is the clock spring. Then I looked online and found this information. “the 2017 Subaru Outback was subject to a recall related to the steering column, specifically the clockspring. This recall (NHTSA campaign #10v-283 / wvr-28) addressed potential issues with the electrical wiring in the steering column that could lead to steering wheel component malfunctions. ” why is my vehicle not included in the recall?.

My battery continues to die leaving me stranded every winter for the past several years. It is a known issue I believe with the wiring/ fuse for the trunk hatch door. Subaru only offers a new battery - so every year I replace the battery and then end up stranded somewhere again.

While driving on main road sunroof spontaneously exploded! speed 55 mph, temp mid 60s. This occurred 11-2-24 about 6pm. Clear weather, open road. I purchased the car new in 2017 and have never even opened the sunroof as I don't like them and car is always garaged when not in use. It has only 27,773 miles on it. No one was hurt but very scary. Will take it to dealership tomorrow, 11-4-24, as the entire center of sunroof is gone with only edges of glass remaining around the perimeter. I will have mechanic report tomorrow (today is Sunday.

My windshield was replaced on [xxx] for a spontaneous crack occurring behind the review mirror and where the eyesight is located. The crack was very long and serpentine-like. There was no history of "rock" damage. On [xxx] , 6,807 miles on city street driving early in the morning, another crack in the replacement windshield occurred spontaneously. I took the car to one Subaru of hayward and they wanted $250 to tell me the window was cracked. Their first response was it is a result of a rock. This is the exact location and pattern of breakage as the window was replaced in [xxx]. I have 3 Subaru Outbacks, and my daughter's 2015 broke in the exact location twice. My daughter's car was in the garage for two weeks while on vacation. Her VIN [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The key gets stuck in alt position, can’t turn completely off. Can’t get unstuck until I repeatedly turn the engine on, shift into drive, shift back into park and turn off again.

I experienced sudden acceleration in downtown and almost hit three cars, caused me to run three red lights and almost hit pedestrians. I had the car, 2017 Outback Subaru towed to the dealer and was told there are no recalls, but saw many problems listed on the NHTSA website. It was terrifying and still shakes me up when I think what could have happened. Subaru told me this was the first they have seen this and that I do not have the extended warranty and I would be held for the cost. I am beyond upset. They tried to have me pick up the car after finding nothing. I told them they are to keep it until they find the issue. I have a loaner from them.

I think recall work was not done, but says it was done (or is not open). Does it say when and where recall work was done? this car has a parasitic battery drain, 3 batteries in 3 years, required 2 jump starts, 1 call to aaa. There is a recall for such an issue, but I do not believe it was fixed and done. It showed no open recalls, and just last week I had brake work for a recall done.

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the front wheel turned at a 45-degree angle. The contact was able to pull over. There were no warning lights illuminated. He is an independent mechanic and stated that after he installed monroe strut and coil system part number 173112 on the driver side front, the top nut broke after two weeks. The contact repaired the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

I was in a parking lot. I stopped in order to pull into a spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated and jumped forward. I pushed hard on the brake and put car into neutral. This could have resulted in a crash. Don't understand how this could occur. My foot was not on the gas pedal.

Headlights large amount of water condensation. Decreases amount of light and could cause to fail.

The eyesight system not functioning and at this point has not been repaired and is available for inspection. Warning notices were intermittent with warning sound’s coming on each time. Eventually the warnings came on nearly all the time. I was alone in the dark and very nervous. No other injury yes the vehicle was taken to dealer, also I took photos as it continued to intermittently occur. Yes there were warning notices that alerted me. Note: dealer states non oem windshield is cause , however windshield has been in vehicle fo nearly 2. 5 years with no issue. Other electrical issue has occurred since eyesight issue.

Windshield cracked for no reason. Started at the bottom beneath hood and continued to grow. This will be the 4th windshield replacement on this car.

Head unit fails to respond to commands, freezes up, and/or shuts off.

Ignition switch fails to revert to last forward position, so unable to remove key. So far have been able to start, stop, and generally go forward, reverse, keep manipulating key and ignition position until it works again.

Yesterday the windshield began to spontaneously crack. This is the third windshield in this vehicle to do this. All three windshields cracked starting in an area below the hood line, so stone chips are highly improbable. We bought this vehicle new. That windshield we replaced in 2018. Then we put another new windshield in in 2020. I believe, as I did when I filed a previous complaint in 2020, that there's a structural issue with the car that causes this undue stress.

Secondary hood lock lever not functioning, spring is missing.

We have owned our previously owned Subaru Outback 2017 for 18 months and have replaced the battery 3 times. We are now on our 4th battery. That battery turnover seems rather excessive, doesn't it? my thoughts: 1. Phantom drain 2. Short (harness or wires cut by abrasion) 3. Programming (shut alternator off to increase mpg) 4. Faulty programming - see 3.

Can not remove ignition key at times. Have tried all suggestions on line. It can take up to five minutes of various things to ge it out. It is never the same . Mary.

The automatic back hatch came down with out pushing button or key fob. The fob was in the ignition and nobody was around to push the button to make it go down. It caused damage to my spine and gave me a concussion. Capitol Subaru of salem oregon said it was a glitch that happens sometimes when wires get crossed. After they inspected. Plus changed information on our documents without our knowledge. It did go to Subaru for almost a month the said they found nothing in the edr report. So they feel I do not need to see it.

Windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Parked the car in front of the house for a few hours. When I came out the windshield had a 6" crack (starting at the bottom of the windshield going up then towards the passenger side of the vehicle). By the next day it was more than 12".

Front windshield cracked spontaneously during extreme cold while front defroster was running set on high. No overhead objects. No other cars or vehicles on the roadway. 15 mph. Crack is in the windshield wiper resting area extending from the black edge to the center, in a horizontal crack, bilaterally.

Battery goes dead, known problem with unusual drain on battery due to electrical issue. If car sits unused for a few days, battery dies.

We have replaced the battery every 2 years.