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 ↗2017 Subaru Outback engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Subaru Outback have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Outback | 47 |
| 2014 Outback | 28 |
| 2015 Outback | 25 |
| 2016 Outback | 33 |
| 2017 Outback (this page) | 14 |
| 2018 Outback | 15 |
| 2019 Outback | 16 |
| 2020 Outback | 18 |
| 2021 Outback | 7 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT) are detected by Keyless Access with Push Button Start(KACM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH BANK 1) are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue is cam carrier and spark plug/valve cover gasket leaks that plague these engines. Oil seeps from multiple points, fills the cabin with fumes, and requires complete engine pullout and resealing—quoted between $5,000 and $5,500 even for vehicles still under the 100,000-mile owner lifespan. One owner references Subaru's own Technical Service Bulletin 02-192-25 (issued October 2024) acknowledging the leak but no recall. A related problem is excessive oil burning, with owners reporting consumption of 1+ quart per 2,200 miles despite no visible leaks; one owner notes this mirrors a known lawsuit on 2016 models.
Secondary failures include catalytic converter manifold rust-through in low-salt climates, unexplained stalling and power loss at various speeds that dealerships cannot diagnose, cold-start failure since day one, and chronic coolant leaks. A few owners report loud engine noise from the front or odd humming with fume smell. Battery drain stranding owners is mentioned once.
Dealerships and Subaru have been unresponsive. Technicians either cannot replicate problems, find nothing wrong, or simply refill fluids without addressing root causes. One dealership owner ignored buyback requests. The pattern suggests design weakness rather than isolated defect—owners explicitly state these are common across 2017 Outback engines.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Cam carrier and spark plug/valve cover gasket leaks
Oil leaks from the cam carrier seal and spark plug or valve cover gaskets. Owners report confirmed leaks at dealerships requiring engine pullout and resealing. One owner references Subaru Technical Service Bulletin 02-192-25 (posted 10-26-2024) addressing cam shaft carrier and valve cover leaks in Zone 4. Oil fumes enter the cabin over time.
When: Various mileage; reported at 70k, 87k miles; one owner noted the problem spanned years before diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Strong oil smell in cabin; Oil fumes, increasing over time; Visible oil leaks; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Engine pullout and resealing quoted at $5,076 plus tax. Cam carrier seal replacement reported as high-cost repair. One owner noted the issue became a TSB (02-192-25) by late 2024.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Technical Service Bulletin 02-192-25 (10-26-2024) provides repair procedure for cam shaft carrier and valve cover leaks. No recall issued despite reports characterizing it as a manufacturing defect and common problem across 2017 model year.
Oil consumption (excessive burning)
Engine burns oil at a high rate despite no visible external leaks. Owner reports consuming over 1 quart per 2,200 miles between 5k-mile oil changes. Multiple dealership tests conducted but issue persists. Previous owner of a different 2017 Outback experienced the same problem. Owner notes a known lawsuit exists for 2016 models with this issue.
When: Within 6 months of purchase; by 2,200 miles into service interval after 5k-mile oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid oil level drop between oil changes; No external leaks detected; High-rate oil burning confirmed by independent mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed. Owner manually adds at least 1 quart between scheduled oil changes. Discrepancy noted between Subaru test documentation (6.1 qts filled) and owner's manual and mechanic specification (5.1 qts).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership conducted multiple tests; owner notes a lawsuit exists for 2016 models. Dealership owner contacted for buyback or repair but did not respond.
Catalytic converter manifold corrosion
Catalytic converter manifold rusted through despite moderate climate with minimal road salt exposure. Owner reports the rust occurred at the accordion-shaped section of the exhaust pipe. Strong exhaust smell in cabin caused headaches and exhaustion.
When: Developed within vehicle service life; repaired in January after smells began the prior year
Symptoms owners cite: Strong exhaust smell in cabin; Headaches and exhaustion from exposure; Visible rust-through at accordion section of manifold
Repairs/costs cited: Repair completed in January; cost not specified. Owner notes many other drivers report identical corrosion pattern.
Loss of motive power and stalling while driving
Vehicle suddenly loses power and stalls without warning at various speeds. Vehicle restarts normally and operates as designed afterward. Failure occurred on several occasions. Dealership was unable to retrieve any diagnostic code and found no failure upon inspection.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power; Vehicle stalls without warning; Occurs at various speeds; Resolves upon restart
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnostic code retrieved. Dealership found no failure. No repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised vehicle be taken to a different dealer for further diagnosis; outcome not reported.
Cold-start failure
Vehicle fails to start during cold weather. Failure reported since vehicle purchase on April 15, 2017. Dealership unable to replicate the failure on three separate service visits.
When: Ongoing since April 15, 2017; failure mileage approximately 38,718
Symptoms owners cite: Failure to start in cold weather
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed due to inability to replicate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified.
Loud front-end engine noise
Loud noise heard from the front of the engine without warning. Failure recurred several other times.
When: 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from front of engine; No warning prior to occurrence; Noise recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not made aware.
Coolant leaks
Coolant leaks and is lost from the reservoir. Owner had multiple services for the same issue. Dealership found nothing wrong and simply refilled coolant each time.
When: Over limited warranty; failure mileage 36,059
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant loose; Smell of coolant after driving; Coolant reservoir nearly empty despite refills
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed coolant refills only; no repair performed. Out of warranty.
Battery drain
Battery drains for no apparent reason, leaving owners stranded.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drains without apparent cause; Vehicle left stranded
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 35,556 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.