This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Subaru Outback electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Subaru Outback have filed 381 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 32,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
381
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Outback | 20 |
| 2014 Outback | 30 |
| 2015 Outback | 123 |
| 2016 Outback | 293 |
| 2017 Outback (this page) | 381 |
| 2018 Outback | 254 |
| 2019 Outback | 358 |
| 2020 Outback | 245 |
| 2021 Outback | 71 |
5crashes
1fire
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 381 electrical complaints filed for the 2017 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 21 model years of Subaru Outback we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 381.
Electrical accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Subaru Outback has pervasive electrical problems that strike without warning. Most common: batteries drain dead after just 2–3 days of parking, even with all lights and accessories off. New batteries fail just as fast as old ones. Owners say they've replaced batteries 4, 5, even 6 times, with dealers unable (or unwilling) to diagnose the cause. One owner traced the drain to two fuses—one for power windows, one for climate control—but disabling them isn't a solution worth having.
Beyond battery drain, owners report liftgates popping open when the car is parked and locked, sometimes while driving. The gate won't close fully and has no reliable manual override. Simultaneously, the liftgate sensor feeds false "not closed" signals, forcing the computer to hunt for a close that never comes, draining the battery further.
Other electrical gremlins pile on: dashboard lights flash or pulse, check engine and EyeSight warnings light up together with no clear cause, keys get stuck in the ignition, and the radio freezes mid-use. One owner's complete electrical system died mid-highway drive, killing the power steering and brake assist. Another owner's car caught fire and exploded after a complete electrical shutdown at low speed.
Subaru dealers acknowledge the issues are "known" and sometimes blame owners for not driving often enough or not driving highway speeds long enough to charge the battery. Owners have found class action lawsuits pending for these exact problems but receive no official recall notice or permanent fix—only temporary software updates that don't stick.
Same Subaru Outback electrical reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic battery drain / battery won't hold charge
Battery drains overnight or after being parked for a few days without warning, even with all known electrical loads (lights, radio, accessories) turned off. Alternator and new batteries test fine. Voltage drops continuously even when vehicle is parked and 'off.' Owners report needing jumps after short periods of non-use (2-3 days typical) and replacing batteries repeatedly (some 4-6 times) without solving the issue. One owner traced the problem to a Data Communication Module (DCM) drawing excessive current; another identified specific fuses (power window and ACC circuits) as the culprit.
When: Throughout ownership, ranging from 7 months to 4+ years; some incidents within days of parking, others after weeks of non-use
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dead or severely depleted after overnight or multi-day parking; Difficulty starting; starter labors or turns over slowly; Continuous voltage drop even with car 'off'; Jump-starts succeed temporarily but battery dies again within hours or days; Occurs with new batteries and multiple replacements; No interior lights, headlights, or accessories left on
Codes mentioned: Excessive current draw measured across fuses (passenger compartment), B1578, B1401, B1411
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically replace battery (sometimes multiple times) but issue persists. One owner removed fuses for power window and ACC circuits to stop drain, but this disabled climate control and rear window. Subaru issued ECM/charging software updates on some vehicles without lasting effect. One dealer replaced DCM (Data Communication Module) and backup battery. O'Reilly and AAA confirmed batteries and alternators are good; problem is excessive system draw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealerships acknowledge issue is 'known' but often claim no fix is available. One dealer said 'drive the car every few days' or 'highway speeds for 45 minutes'; others suggest battery maintainer or larger battery. Class action lawsuits pending for 2016–2020 Outbacks. No official TSB or recall mentioned in narratives, though one owner reports dealer found dealer was unaware of a recall to reprogram the car.
Engine fire with complete electrical shutdown
Vehicle cut off completely while turning into parking lot (dead with no dashboard power, ability to shift, or use flashers). Car began smoking from driver's front engine area within minutes, then caught fire despite bystander's fire extinguisher attempt. Car eventually exploded. Incident occurred at low mileage and low speed with no prior warning.
When: At approximately 2.5 miles of driving early in vehicle's life (Tuesday, incident date redacted)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power mid-turn; Cannot shift from parking, cannot use flashers, cannot restart; Smoke from driver's front engine area; Fire, then explosion; No prior warning signs
Repairs/costs cited: Car was total loss; destroyed by fire and explosion. Only fire department report available (no police report filed). Hood could not be opened to extinguish fire.
Sudden unexpected acceleration with faulty electronic sensor data
Vehicle accelerated unexpectedly twice; second incident resulted in explosive collision at low speed. Owner obtained EDR (Event Data Recorder) and discovered that electronic steering angle sensors fed erroneous 'full right turn' data to computer even though owner was pulling straight into parking space. This caused power steering pump signal and throttle to open involuntarily. Subaru investigated and blamed 'pedal misapplication,' but owner states EDR clearly shows throttle active only 1.5 seconds prior to impact and that brake was engaged at impact, inconsistent with driver error. Owner believes sensors intermittently transmit wrong data.
When: Two incidents; second led to collision
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration when pulling into parking spot; Throttle active without driver input; EDR shows steering angle sensors reporting vehicle in sharp right turn when actually moving straight; Power steering and throttle system respond to false sensor signals
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru performed investigation and blamed 'pedal misapplication,' but owner disputes conclusion based on actual EDR data. Owner reports Subaru refused to hear contrary evidence.
Liftgate spontaneously opens when vehicle is parked and off
Rear liftgate opens without any button press or key fob activation, sometimes when vehicle is parked, sometimes while in motion (at least one report of motion incident). Occurs with doors locked, keys in purse, engine off. Happens intermittently (sometimes 2 months between incidents). Results in battery drain, weather damage to interior, theft risk, and potential safety hazard if gate opens while driving on highway.
When: Intermittent; as frequently as multiple times per month or as rarely as 2 months apart
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate opens without key fob or button press; Can occur while vehicle is parked and locked; Can occur while vehicle is in motion; No obvious trigger; not accidental FOB press; Doesn't reproduce reliably in dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce or diagnose when tested (2-day observation found no issue). Manual opening very difficult; gate sometimes only opens or closes partially. After manual intervention, gate doesn't lock securely.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers dismiss as accidental key fob activation. No acknowledgment of known defect or recall.
Key stuck in ignition, cannot be removed
Ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even after multiple attempts with shifter/steering wheel manipulation. One owner left appointment appointment unable to remove key after 10 minutes of effort. Subaru acknowledges this is a 'known issue' but states it is not a safety issue. However, leaving key in ignition creates theft risk, risk of unauthorized operation by minors, and potential for vehicle to be stolen. Root cause appears to be a defective park/shift-lock sensor in gear shift mechanism.
When: Intermittent; one owner couldn't remove key for 10+ minutes on one occasion
Symptoms owners cite: Key cannot be removed from ignition; Key is stuck even with attempts to manipulate shifter and steering wheel; Have to leave car with key in ACC position, unable to remove
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced sensor in gear shift mechanism (park/shift-lock sensor) at ~$500 cost. Owner reports this is a known issue; some owners use workarounds (disconnecting wires) which allow key removal in any gear—creating safety hazard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledges as 'known issue' but does not classify as safety issue. Repair is typically not covered under warranty.
Rear liftgate will not open when battery is low/dead
When battery is dead or severely depleted, rear liftgate refuses to open, trapping spare tire compartment and jumper cables inside vehicle. Owners cannot access emergency equipment. No manual override available to users.
When: Whenever battery is dead or critically low
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate refuses to open electrically when battery is dead; No manual override accessible to owner; Traps emergency equipment and spare tire
Liftgate sensor malfunction; false 'not closed' warning causes constant battery drain
Liftgate sensor falsely reports that liftgate is open/not closed even though it is physically closed. Computer continuously tries to close liftgate, causing battery drain and dashboard beeping. Resetting the hatch manually by pressing button solves problem temporarily, but issue recurs.
When: Intermittently (3 times in 5 months for one owner)
Symptoms owners cite: Beeping noise when starting car; Dashboard indicates liftgate is not closed when it is; Hesitation/hard start (battery drain); Manual reset required; Issue recurs after short period
Repairs/costs cited: Manual reset by pressing liftgate button temporarily solves problem; issue recurs.
Complete electrical system shutdown while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power while in motion, causing loss of Advanced Driver Assist Systems, power steering, ability to shift out of Drive, and emergency brake. Owner had to coast to shoulder and maintain foot pressure on brake until roadside assistance arrived. Similar incidents reported by family member. Alternator and battery were replaced twice in recent months, along with parts identified as having parasitic drain.
When: During highway driving; wife also experienced similar event weeks prior
Symptoms owners cite: All electrical systems suddenly shut down mid-drive; Loss of power steering; Loss of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist Systems); Inability to shift out of Drive; Emergency brake inoperable; Forced to coast to shoulder
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replaced; battery replaced twice in couple months. Parts with parasitic drain were replaced. Vehicle still requires jump to start after body work.
Defective Subaru-brand replacement batteries
Subaru OEM replacement batteries fail prematurely, often within months (some as quickly as 4 months). Owner's original battery lasted 18 months; first replacement lasted less than 4 months; second replacement also failed. Subaru informs owners that replacement batteries have no warranty—only one free replacement is provided. New batteries fail at the same rate as originals.
When: First OEM battery: 18 months; first replacement: 4 months; second replacement: failed
Symptoms owners cite: Subaru OEM battery fails to hold charge; Battery delivers 0 volts after short time; Alternator tests fine (outputs 14V)
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru dealers replace under 2-year battery warranty once. Second and subsequent replacement batteries have no warranty per Subaru. Owner forced to purchase aftermarket battery (O'Reilly) at personal expense. One owner reports battery replaced 5-6 times in less than 4 years.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru covers first battery replacement under 2-year warranty. Subsequent replacements are owner's responsibility. Subaru states batteries are 'defective' per some owner communications but does not provide warranty coverage for replacements.
Throttle unresponsiveness on acceleration / delayed throttle response
When pulling into traffic or accelerating, throttle fails to respond immediately. Engine stays at idle and car moves forward slowly despite accelerator pedal input. After brief delay (described as 'fraction of a second'), throttle engages and car leaps forward abruptly. No error codes stored. Occurs approximately once per month. Poses safety risk when entering traffic.
When: Approximately once per month; first occurred at dealer during initial test drive
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle does not respond to pedal input initially; Engine idles while car creeps forward; After delay, throttle engages suddenly and car accelerates abruptly; No stored error codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer removed throttle valve to check for stuck position; found nothing wrong. Dealer states they've done all they can.
Radio and infotainment system malfunctions
Radio freezes, displays errors, fails after software updates. Bluetooth connectivity fails despite dealer attempts to diagnose ('nothing wrong'). Multiple complaints of radio/screen issues present from day one. One owner had full radio/screen replaced; issues persist.
When: From day one of ownership; persists through multiple service visits and software updates
Symptoms owners cite: Radio freezes; Bluetooth calls don't work properly; Radio display errors; Issues persist after software updates and hardware replacement; Dealer dismisses as 'working as designed'
Repairs/costs cited: One owner: full radio/screen replaced; issues persist. Software updates attempted without resolution.
Dashboard and console lights pulsing during highway driving
Lights on dashboard/console pulse or flash while driving at night on highway, indicating potential electrical system instability.
When: During highway night drive
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard and console lights pulse/flash
Multiple warning lights illuminated simultaneously; system appears electrically unstable
All or multiple warning lights on dashboard illuminate at once (Check Engine, EyeSight, X-Mode flashing, backup camera, surroundings sensor, etc.), indicating potential electrical system failure or software instability. Lights cannot be reset without dealer intervention.
When: Intermittently, often accompanied by hard starting or battery drain
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light on; EyeSight warning on; X-Mode light flashing; Backup camera display stays on while in Drive; Backup surroundings sensor beeps incessantly while in Drive; All lights stay on even after car is shut off; Cannot reset without dealer help
Codes mentioned: Check Engine (various), EyeSight, X-Mode
Power window malfunction; window closes then immediately reopens
Passenger side front window closes all the way then immediately reopens halfway. Appears to be control/sensor issue rather than mechanical.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Window closes fully then immediately opens partway; Does not stay in closed position
Windshield cracked on interior layer without external force
Windshield cracked on interior (not exterior) layer while driving 20 mph on well-maintained straight road during moderate temperature day, no AC/heat blowing, no debris or external impact. Heard distinct 'pop' sound. No street bumps or external cause identified.
When: During routine highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Crack on interior layer only, not exterior; No external impact or force; Heard distinct pop sound at time of failure
Engine left running for extended period without shut-off warning
Owner failed to fully depress push-start button; car did not shut off but continued running unattended for 3 hours in garage. No warning system to alert driver that engine is still running when key is not in proximity of vehicle.
When: Single reported incident; 3 hours of unattended running
Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues running even though owner thought car was shut off; No audible or visual warning that engine is running; No remote start system to account for prolonged running; Safety hazard due to carbon monoxide buildup and heat in garage
Passenger airbag disabled
Passenger airbag system is out of commission / disabled at 58,000 miles. Owner reports this is currently preventing vehicle from passing safety inspection.
When: At 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag out of commission; Prevents passing state safety inspection
StarLink / telematics system not working
Starlink/telematics system reported as not working by system notification.
When: Sometime during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Starlink system not operational
Clock loses time; falls behind regularly
Dashboard clock does not keep accurate time and falls behind by several minutes regularly. Owner reports having to adjust clock every couple of weeks. May indicate deeper electrical system issue causing intermittent power loss or reset.
When: Regularly throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Clock loses time and falls behind; Requires adjustment every couple of weeks
Keyless entry FOB not working
Key fob stops working, rendering keyless entry inoperative. Incidents related to battery drain (battery too dead to power FOB receiver or transmitter).
When: Intermittently, often coinciding with dead/low battery episodes
Symptoms owners cite: FOB does not unlock/lock vehicle; FOB does not work even when battery appears charged
Repairs/costs cited: Jumping car battery restores FOB function in some cases.
Synthesized from 381 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
11/06/23: During a routine oil change at the dealer a multipoint vehicle inspection was conducted. The inspection revealed an upper oil pan leak. The repair involved removing the engine and replacing various components (gasket, O-Rings and etc.). The vehicle was well maintained and had only 43,492 miles on it. The oil leak potentially could have caused an engine compartment fire (my opinion).…
Tl* the contract called on behalf of his father who owns a 2017 Subaru outback. The contact stated that the battery was replaced on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to miller hill Subaru (4710 miller trunk hwy, duluth, mn 55811) where the failure was diagnosed as a faulty battery, remote starter, sensor and rear liftgate. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
My 2017 Subaru Outback will not start after sitting all night I’ve had diagnostics ran on the battery and it shows 100% charge. After charging the battery it held until the next day it was drained again. It was snowing with winds 50 mph, and I had to jump my car to start it. The faun doesn’t work when the battery is dead and that causes the theft alarm to go off once the battery is charged. Now…
Original battery failed about 30 months after car purchased (new car). There was no warning-just dead after parked in garage overnight. Purchased new duracell battery from sams club on 1-24-20. Replacement battery was dead after parked overnight in garage on 12-24-20. Battery failed in 11 months. No previous warning, weather was normal both instancies.
I'm on my 4th battery in 3 years. Battery has gone dead multiple times, leaving me stranded in difficult and potentially dangerous situations. Cannot open lift gate to access the cargo area where I keep my road safety reflectors, flashlight, tire pump, etc. Stranded in dark parking lot 1 time. As a result of the reliability concerns I have had to buy a portable charging unit to have in the…
Multiple times the tailgate has spontaneously opened when we were not in the vehicle. Aside from issues like running the battery down, inclement weather damaging the interior and the theft of contents of the car are issues. Thus far, the car has not been in motion when it happened, but there was a least one incident reported where a vehicle was in motion when this happened (see attached…
Had electrical trouble with your 2017 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 381 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 163 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 19,600 and 44,020 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,600; a quarter make it past 44,020. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.