2017 Subaru Outback Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
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
“HAVING PROBLEM TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAN WAS ONLY DRIVEN FOR YEAR AND HALF AND HAS LESS THAN 10000 MILES ON.”NHTSA complaint 11162198 — filed 12/18/2018
“NEW TYPE TRANSMISSION -HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, MORE SO WHEN CAR IS COOL. BACK OUT ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE HOLD BRAKE, PUT IN DRIVE. IT…”NHTSA complaint 11079903 — filed 03/17/2018
“SINCE PURCHASE ON 2/19/17 FROM PARKER SUBARU CDA, COMPLAINT OF SHAKING FRONT END, WANDERING ON HIGHWAY AND FREEWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN A DANGEROUS…”NHTSA complaint 11065219 — filed 01/26/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2017 Subaru Outback have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2017 Subaru Outback: 45 of 917 complaints on file (4.9%). 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 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 32 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 25 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
