2017 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

43Engine complaints

4.7%Of all 917 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM381 · 41.5%

VISIBILITY/WIPER205 · 22.4%

Unspecified / other177 · 19.3%

POWER TRAIN45 · 4.9%

ENGINE43 · 4.7%

Share of the 917 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2017 Subaru Outback overview page.

What owners report

“NOT ABLE TO TAKE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, KEY IS BEING STUCK 50% OF THE TIME. SECOND ISSUE IS THE ENGINE IS MAKING BIRD…”NHTSA complaint 11186826 — filed 03/14/2019

“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…”NHTSA complaint 11131022 — filed 09/24/2018

“OPEN LETTER TO SUBARU AND SUBARU OWNERS. I HAVE A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE REASON I PURCHASED THE CAR WAS THE HIGH SAFETY RATINGS. I…”NHTSA complaint 11033410 — filed 10/15/2017

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Subaru Outback have engine problems?

Engine is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Subaru Outback: 43 of 917 complaints on file (4.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2017 Subaru Outback have in total?

917 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 32 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 25 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.