2017 Subaru Outback Other Problems

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

I was in a parking lot. I stopped in order to pull into a spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated and jumped forward.

Departed home and haven drive say 100 yards roughly, car came to a full stop. Car would idle, I could shift into park drive, reverse etc.. There was NO reaction to pressing accelerator.

My windshield has had a Crack in the lower left side to the lower middle for about 9 months and just recently the right lower side has a Crack about 10 inches. I have not been in any accidents since I have owned my car or have had any thing happen that would make a Crack on it. I cannot afford to replace it.

Sunroof exploded with a fair size hole in it! Also, the windshield glass has cracked lines in it. Stated with a small stone ding and now has expended to a crack line hald way across the windshield.

Sunroof exploded while driving on freeway

I own and drive a 2017 subaru outback premium. I like this car and enjoy driving it. My car has the full eyesight safety system.

My wife was driving on I-80 in nebraska. With no traffic around, her sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving. There were no warning signs or anything ahead fo the event.

On march 24, 2019, my husband and I were driving north on interstate 5 in southern oregon, traveling from our winter home in nevada to our summer home in alaska. Suddenly, we heard a loud explosion on the roof of our car. The sunroof glass had spontaneously exploded and shattered!!

Bought a 2017 subaru outback wagon 2.5i premium with opt package 14 last feb, 2017. The option package was the eyesight driver-assist system. Twice so far, while driving in good weather, the brakes have slammed on for no apparent reason - leaving rubber on the road and throwing my wife and I forward.

Front driver and front passenger doors do not lock automatically and remain unlock when shift in drive when car is stationary and also when care in motion. No voice, light or any alerts that alert the driver to lock the doors manually every time you drive the car.

Your car has stalled and lost power three times while driving up hills on the interstate, each time when the fuel tank was between 1/8 and 1/4 full. The engine slows down and won't accelerate, forcing you to pull over until it starts running again — creating a dangerous situation with traffic behind you. This is a new problem that started in November 2025. The issue may be related to fuel delivery or engine performance when the tank is low.

I was pulling into a parking lot. The attendant told me to back our 2017 Outback into a spot running along a fence and row of trees. I pulled forward, put my foot on the brake to fully stop.

My parked Car, engine off, has not started six times in the last 9 months. Battery is dead. Parasitic battery drain with this model car.

Sudden battery power loss multiple times

Original windshield cracked by rock (I think) hit at top near edge and crack instantly ran down and across the windshield. Took to dealer for replacement, took all day because the first windshield they installed broke, so they had to put in a second.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 have replaced the battery every 2 years.

A spontaneous crack began at the bottom, center of my windshield about a week ago and began inching up and over. It is continuing to grow while I try to figure out where and when to have it replaced. I live in the mountains and this is not an easy trip to the dealer.

I figured that out after reading all the previous threads on this site. I will be getting back to them, and Subaru America as well. What doesn't seem to be clear from this thread is whether replacing the battery with a heftier one will make a difference if there is this parasitic draining going on.

Our windshield has cracked three times in the past nine months, each time with no impact to it from rock or other object. The crack starts spontaneously and spreads across the windshield. After replacing it in November 2020, we just chalked it up to bad luck, then it happened again in June.

We were driving along the highway when the windshield began to crack at the edge of the driver's side. We parked the car and went shopping for an hour. When we came back, the crack had doubled in length.

My windshield had to be replaced twice in three months once 2-20-19 and 5-6-2019.

My car windshield all of sudden started cracking 2 weeks ago around february 17th.2021. My car always parked on my driveway. Called local dealer was told it's going to cost us $1200 to get it replaced.

Battery won't start from parking lot, for a couple of times now even when it was on it's first year. We have to jump start and also replaced it couple of times now but the problem persists.

The windshield on the subaru outback 2017 was cracked 2 times and both the time I had to pay from my pocket to get it replaced.

The car battery was found to be dead after sitting for at least 2 days, on 3 different occasions before being replaced on 1/8/2020. After being replaced the same problem kept happening. The new battery was taken back to the place of purchase where it was tested and found to be in good working order.

Key not releasing from ignition after putting car into park. This is a known problem as subaru put out subaru service bulletin 16-112-18r. Subaru states "the cause is contamination of the park-range switch internal components." so it is a manufacturer defect but subaru has not made a recall, costing owners $400-$800 to get it repaired if the car is no longer under warranty.

Dealership replaced battery twice within 12,000. Battery checked on three occasions before replaced. Second battery replaced after 12,000 miles.

When putting my car into 'p' for park, and turning my car off with my key, my key will not turn all the way into the off position for me to take my key out. I have to turn my key into the on position, shift the gear into either 'n' or 'd', then back into the 'p' position several times before I can get my key out. This is such a safety hazard.

Mutiple times when the car is stopped and put into park,regardless of where, the key will not come out of the ignition. The switch can be turned off, but the key will not come out of the ignition. The gear shift has to be manipulated multiple times between drive and park in order to ever remove the key.

won't let me remove the key when in park. Diagnosis is the shifter plate assembly needs replaced.

Windshields, particularly the eyesight equipped models, are extremely prone to cracking, arguably defective. 5 months after purchasing new, I got a rock chip while driving. When getting it repaired it spiderwebbed, requiring total replacement of the windshield.

Windshield large crack developed unexpectedly from very small chip while driving on highway. Windshield had been replaced when purchasing the car 4 months earlier.

While I was in my parked car I turned on my windshield defroster and my windshield wipers. When I did this - the windshield spontaneously cracked.I watched the crack spread across the windshield. The car was stationary at the time of the crack.

Unable to get key out of ignition when vehicle is in park (in garage or anywhere else). Found issue on forums many times. Seems to be related to gear assembly.

When going to park, I shift the car into park and turn off the engine but the key is stuck in the ignition. This has happened every time I've driven for the last three days. The only way to get it to come out is to turn it back on and trying shifting into park again, occasionally several times before it recognizes that it's in park and will release the key.

The windshield on the car cracked. I don't think it was hit by anything. If it was, it must've been a very small object.

Key gets stuck in the ignition. The car drives, turns off, and turns on like normal however, when the car is put into park, turned off, and the the key is attempted to be removed the key does not come out. It only comes out after sometimes an hour or more of putting the car into drive and then into park again.

Windshield cracked while car was parked inside garage. Crack was significant and appeared for no reason. Windshield was replaced on 2/13/19 and eyesight had to be recalibrated.

Within a couple weeks of having to have our windshield fixed, I was driving straight ahead on a freeway, approximately 70 MPH, when a crack streaked across our windshield. We couldn't figure out why, thinking maybe a tiny rock hit us. A few days later we asked subaru to fix it, but they said that's not what they do and sent us to a local auto glass company.

Faulty windshield, I am on my third windshield which has just cracked. The crack always begins in the same place, lower passenger side below windshield wiper assembly in defrost portion of glass. Subaru has replaced the glass twice at no cost at 27,407 miles and 45,099 miles.

My outback has horrible wind noise. Its so loud I cant use the bluetooth phone, nor listen to the radio. Absolutely horrible and will impact my next purchase.

Hesitates for 3 to 4 seconds from a stop without warning. Has been occurring since we bought it new jan. Reported to service dept at dealership.

Repeated issues with rear lift gate. Including not opening and sticking an animal in the back and not shutting completing however giving the indication of shut. Today 7-25-19, I was driving at approximately 55 miles an hour and the liftgate not shut light illuminated on my dash during the morning communicate.

Touch screen multimedia system freezes and makes handfree calling, voice commands and other functions on screen and certain control functions on steering wheel inoperable while driving. Occurs intermittently but has happened more than once.

Intermittently not able to remove the ignition key from the ignition.

After parking, I frequently can't get the key out of my 2017 subaru outback, making it impossible to leave the vehicle. It can take dozens of restarts, switching from drive to reverse to park and moving the wheel to be able to release the key. Also, frequently, when the car is parked, I am able to insert the key but cannot turn it to start the car.

I am randomly unable to remove the key from the ignition after placing the vehicle in park. It has taken me up to ten minutes to get the key out. Sometimes just wiggling the shifter in the park position is enough to get the key to release.

On numerous occasions in past 6 weeks, I have been unable to turn key to lock so car is turned off and I cannot withdraw the key. Only by excessive "playing around" with gear shift etc. Can I finally get key out.

Parking gear disengages into reverse, engine running and powered backwards. Two incidences in the past 4 months, both on level surface with engine running. Required getting control of the vehicle unexpectly moving in reverse.

The subaru outback, 2017, 9000 mis. Seemed to be losing battery power on each start and then nothing. Battery is dead.

I have a 2017 sabaru outback with the eyesight system. In late july 2017 I had to replace a windshield when I guess a pebble hit and it immediately spread a large crack that over next few days covered entire windshield. $678.80 + half day of work lost.

headlights large amount of water condensation. decreases amount of light and could cause to fail

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.

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.

Secondary hood lock lever not functioning, spring is missing.

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).

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.

1st battery failure within 3 years of purchase of vehicle. Jumped 3 times in 2 mths. Purchased new battery (interstate)10/7/2020 Today 09/12/2022 same issue began.

2017 Subaru Outback -- have nearly 50K miles on it. Suddenly the key is not removing from the ignition key slot. I looked this up and see this is a recurring problem in Subarus.

I arrived at my destination. I turned the ignition OFF. The engine turned OFF.

2017 Subaru Outback windshield breaks when a small rock hits it. This is the 4th times happen to our Vehicle and a very expensive cost to replace it about $1000. We are very upset about it.

My windshield cracked for no apparent reason (no impact) - in the bottom quarter of the passenger side. The crack spread, requiring replacement of the windshield. I had Subaru replace the windshield.

Subaru Outback 2018 windshield cracked & spread in one day. Lower left corner, spreads like a large “S”. Approximately 10” high & 10” in the curve of “S”.

Windshield has cracked for the second time without any specific incident noted. Just started cracking from the bottom up.

Driving home from church Sunday when I heard a loud cracking sound. Sounded like something on the roof, so opened up the cover to the sunroof and saw nothing. When I pulled off to look, I found a long crack in the windshield passenger side running from the bottom of the windshield up to the left just shy of the middle of the passenger seat.

Placing car in park and attempt to remove key. Key remains locked in ignition. Car remains in the ON position with steering wheel NOT locked and radio/lights ON.

The windshield cracked spontaneously needing replacement

The windshield was hit by a small rock while driving on a highway at 65 MPH. The rock caused a crack less than a millimeter in diameter. After continuing to drive the vehicle on highways and paved streets for 4 more hours, the small crack expanded to be approximately a foot going across the windshield from the passenger side to the middle of the windshield.

The original battery completely died a year or two ago and the replacement battery completely died four months ago.

Battery issues, continued changing when the battery isnt drained

The key gets stuck in the ACC selection mode when trying to turn the car off. It will not turn all the way back to turn off the electrical or allow the key to be removed. this has been happening often for a few weeks.

The data control module failed after only 30,000 miles. It's a 2017 subaru outback and because of not driving last year (2020), the 3 year warranty was no longer in effect. We are paying $1500, for a failed part (data control module) that caused two consecutive batteries to drain.

2017 outback. Unable to remove the key from the ignition. Once in park turning the steering wheel back and forth doesn't help to release the key.

Vehicle design safety defect: after locking doors while seated in vehicle must select unlock to exit vehicle. In an emergency safety dictates that pulling door open lever would open door in one action.

Battery drain. Battery needed replacement 11/14/2019.

On the morning of february 23, 2018 and went out to my vehicle that was parked (stationary) in my enclosed covered garage to find a giant crack through my windshield with no discernable cause.

Vehicle will not start. Battery goes dead. This has happened more than 20 times since purchasing the car.

Windshield keeps breaking cracks come up from the bottom not from rock chip. This will be the second time we have had to replace it in the two years we have owned it.

I had to replace original battery on my 2017 outback at 12,079 miles jan 2019 and then again on 12/2020 at 24,431 miles. I was told batteries only last 2 to 4 years in arizona. I recently read of the battery lawsuit regarding electrical charge issues with 2017 outback's.

This occurs while the vehicle is stationary. When the at select lever (shift lever) is put into park the key only rotates into acc and not into lock. The key cannot be removed like this.

Cracked windshield while driving on interstate. I did not see or hear the windshield being hit by rock, etc. Upon inspection it appears to have been hit by a small rock.

The windshield on subaru outback 2017 was cracked all of a sudden.

My car's windshield has got hairline crack of about one and half feet. It happened when I parked the vehicle in the parking lot. There was no stone hit.

Windshield cracked from unknown origin in first year of ownership. I had a $500 comprehensive deductible and had to pay that in full to get a new windshield.

While parked the front windshield cracked about 4 inches above the bottom of the window from from the center of the steeringwheel, two feet towards the passenger seat.

Windshield chips/cracks with no known cause.

Windshield cracked while driving in a highway with little to no reason of physical impact from outside. It started as a 2 inch line crack that grow to almost a foot while driving. Evidence available upon request such as dashcam videos and photos.

Battery seems to be draining for no reason. My current battery is 2 months old and was stone dead this morning(tuesday) in my carport. I had not driven it since saturday, but the saturday trip was about 100 miles.

Windshield spontaneously cracked while parked overnight on the driveway.

Windshield cracked and spread at multiple points during moderate temperature fluctuation. Cracked continued to spread over the course of a week. The vehicle was parked at the time the cracks formed and was parked when they speak.

My "eyesight" does not function appropiately since my windshield cracked. Turns off and on randomly, crack does not go through the sensor.

Windshield cracked, over foot long

The front windshield cracked a few inches above the dash board, it was about 6" long, the next day it grew to 24". In motion on hiway 50 south lake tahoe in a 40 MPH zone

Two episodes of spontaneous chipping/cracking. First chip happened in the lower right corner when parked in parking lot. This happened before the first 3 month check-up.

I was waiting on my wife at the grocery store and the windshield started to crack a little at a time. First it was about 1/2 crack and not its about 10-11" crack right in front of the drivers seat

Cannot remove ignition key when done driving. Not always, but randomly.

In february 2019, a crack appeared starting at the base of the windshield. Throughout the day it grew to go across the windshield. Subaru said I had to fix it there due to eyesight.

Keys get locked into ignition when in park and ready to leave car and are impossible to remove.

Right side front quarter glass spontaneously shattered. The vehicle was stationary, not running, and parked in the garage with all garage doors closed. The date was 09/02/2017.

Ignition key gets stuck and would not come out because of faulty shift gear sensor not recognizing the park position.

The windshield developed a crack from the bottom corner of the driver's side for no apparent reason when the car was garaged. There was no rock or other damage to cause it. It has spread across the windshield.

Windshield has broken for the 2nd time since purchase. Both times subaru glass.

Windshield cracking.

The windshield on my 2017 subaru outback with 28,000 mi. Has developed a crack I see that a lot of owners of outbacks are also having cracks develop. Not sure if there is a recall on the windshield.

The ignition key cannot be removed from ignition. This does not happen every time, but several times a week. I have read many online complaints where this is happening to several subaru owners.

The gear shifter does not go in to park completely allowing for release of the key. There is a 'reset' you can do in the center console or they will replace the shifter solving the problem.

Possible structural design issue that causes the front windshield to crack. Oem windshield cracked suddenly a year ago. The crack started at the very top of the windshield in the center.

Driver front door lock and unlock failed. doesn't operate with fob or key. Lock and unlock interior switch doesn't work either,no affect.

Windshield crack in lower glass portion (about a foot long); originated without any rock strike. Noticed it while driving one day last week, on a lone stretch of highway in nevada. Have seen online tonight that this has been a known problem with several subaru models and years.

Front right power window. Power window on passenger side goes down, when pull to close, goes up then opens/comes down again. won't stay up.

The car is squirly on snow and ice, feels like the steering wheel has play in it and back end keeps moving. Feels like im trying to keep it on the road and arms get tired. This is going straight down the highway.

Battery has failed three times with no reason found. Charged then dead next morn with nothing left on etc. Cold temp was not a factor.

We were traveling with our moon roof closed but the moon roof cover open. We hear an explosion and I thought someone hit me from behind. Next think I know glass is falling on my head and on my wife and dog's head.

Was turning left into a driveway at resurrection cemetery in monterey park ca when I heard a loud popping sound and then noticed the front windshield was cracked. It appeared nothing had hit it. The crack is located in the center lower bottom starting from the edge and creating an "l" pattern.

Windshield cracked today but nothing hit it.

Windshield had internal cracking developed where right under rear view mirror mounting area. No physical contact but the car was parked hot outside for 3 days and defect happened. Initially rear view mirror was still on windshield but after several days drive, it fell down.

Door locks doors dont autolock when in drive. Door would have opened while driving.

I would really like to purchase a new subaru outback, but the forward jutting headrests ("head-restraining system") is way too uncomfortable. We are learning all newer vehicles seem to have these remarkably uncomfortable and posture damaging forward tilts due to your recommendations/requirements.