2017 Subaru Outback transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 8, 2026INOther / UnknownTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   The CVT failed at 62 miles per hour on a busy interstate, XXX. This caused the drivetrain to lock. The car has been repaired and traded locally in [XXX]. The car was very difficult to steer with locked wheels in traffic. This was a rapid evasive manuver on a busy interstate. An undrivable vehicle on an interstate is life threatening to many. Flat bed driver told me I was lucky to steer off of lanes onto shoulder with four locked wheels. This incident put me in mild shock.…

   NHTSA complaint #11749073 · source
2. Filed Aug 19, 2025DETransmission & Drivetrain

   At about 112,000 miles, my 2017 subaru outback's transmission showed signs of failure. The "manual shift" gear lever position would no longer increase or decrease the transmission rpm and a whirring and clicking noise became apparent and increased or decreased with speed. The subaru dealer in salisbury, md diagnosed a failing transmission and quoted $9,916 to replace it.

   NHTSA complaint #11681495 · source
3. Filed Jul 2, 202424,000 miCOBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the electric parking brake was stuck intermittently. The contact stated while shifting to drive(D) or reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that failure occurred after reversing several times. The message "Park" was displayed. The contact stated that upon jiggling the electric parking brake knob several times, the vehicle responded as needed. The vehicle was taken the dealer, where the…

   NHTSA complaint #11598268 · source
4. Filed Oct 2, 2023CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle lost engine power twice while on the road between 8/12/23 and ~9/25/23. Took to Subaru Santa Monica service on 9/26, left it overnight, and was unable to replicate the problem. I cleaned the K&N drop in filter after 8/12 incident since I haven't cleaned it in a while. Subaru Santa Monica service said that there's oil contamination from the filter into throttle body and I need cleaning and new air box. I don't think that's the problem and this is a major safety issue.…

   NHTSA complaint #11547716 · source
5. Filed Mar 9, 2023NMTransmission & Drivetrain

   Unable to remove key from ignition when vehicle placed in ‘Park’ and vehicle easily changes to ‘Reverse’ when unable to remove key, potential safety hazard to driver and anyone standing behind vehicle. Started around 40,000 miles, repair facility thought replacing the key cylinder would fix the problem but it recurred in less than 1,000 additional miles. Subaru Forums cite many, many owners with the same issue on multiple vehicle types resulting in replacement of the shifter…

   NHTSA complaint #11510989 · source
6. Filed Mar 9, 202332,000 miVABrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated towards a truck in front. The contact used excessive force to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the braking distance was extended due to the failure. Additionally, there was an abnormal thumping sound heard while the vehicle was coming to an abrupt stop. The contact pulled to the side of the road and inspected…

   NHTSA complaint #11510935 · source
7. Filed Dec 27, 2022NVElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   2 yo 2017 Subaru Outback was left untouched for 2 weeks. When trying to start, it had a dead battery. 2 years later, 2017 Subaru Outback was left untouched for 1 week. When trying to start, it had a dead battery. 2017 Subaru Outback was left untouched for 2 days. When trying to start, it had a dead battery with a 1 - and 8 month old battery. Basically, when this 2017 Subaru Outback hasn't been started every day, it will have a dead battery.

   NHTSA complaint #11499097 · source
8. Filed Oct 28, 2022SCElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased a used 2017 Subaru Outback in December 2020 from a friend whose mother had owned the car before her death in Nov. 2019. That owner purchased it used from dealer in Sevierville TN in 2019 and had to replace a battery at least once according to records. The battery has failed three times since Dec. 2020, totally drained and would not recharge so a replacement was needed. I replaced the first battery then took it to dealer for other two replacements. The previous…

   NHTSA complaint #11491260 · source
9. Filed Aug 26, 2022OKTransmission & Drivetrain

   My car had it's third transmission installed in October 2021 at 42,730 miles. The car currently has just under 52,000 miles. The current transmission is exhibiting symptoms of slipping and delayed gear engagement. The slipping is most concerning due to the unpredictable and non-linear acceleration when I press the accelerator. I don't know if a light accelerator application will give the expected acceleration or a 1-2 second delay followed by either weaker than expected…

   NHTSA complaint #11481469 · source
10. Filed Aug 18, 2022CATransmission & Drivetrain

    It was a few days ago, the vehicle suddenly have shuttering or sputtering type of noise when accelerating from a stop. During the drive, I also started to hear a creaking type of noise. This became worse when accelerating uphill. I took the car to a Subaru dealership, and the service technician reproduced these problems. He then detected an transmission related error code P0841. He replaced the sensor related to this error code, but found he couldn’t get rid of the initial…

    NHTSA complaint #11480093 · source
11. Filed Jun 13, 202241,806 miTNCrashTowedBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while reversing, the vehicle accelerated backward. The contact pumped the brake pedal and was depressed aggressively several times however the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle collided with a pillar of bricks causing the vehicle to stop. No airbag deployed and no one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center where the insurance deemed the vehicle a total loss. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11469067 · source
12. Filed Jun 11, 2022KYTransmission & Drivetrain

    Rear bearing/hub assembly failure. Appears to be a known problem per information readily available online. Failure occurred at 40,746 miles. Replaced at dealership at my personal cost, out of warranty period. Hubs and bearings should not be failing at such low mileage. Could have caused other driveline or suspension problems and poses a safety issue as wheels would be unable to spin freely.

    NHTSA complaint #11468764 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology