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2017 Subaru Outback visibility problems

233 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 36,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
233
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
36,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Windshield
    26
  • Sun/moon roof assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Subaru Outback visibility problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2017 Subaru Outback visibility

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Windshield crack 204Wipers 23

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2017 Subaru Outback owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Visibility · NC

My Outback has been through 5 genuine Subaru windshields this year, and 7 since 2019. Only one was impact damage, the rest developed cracks after installation. One only lasted 3 days after being replaced. Others have lasted 3 months. There is something defective with the current Subaru replacement windshields and the dealers can't help. These are $1,300 insurance claims each. Subaru needs to figure out what is happening with the poor quality before someone gets hurt from shattered glass or impaired visibility from cracks.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Visibility · MI

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.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Visibility · 110,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied in the garage, the contact’s son opened the garage door and became aware of a crack on the front passenger’s side windshield. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was informed that vehicle was too old to repair. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Visibility · OK

Ongoing problem with Subaru. Spontaneous windshield crack. 74 degrees, parked in shade, no chips. Came out and has the crack completely across windshield just above drivers eyeline. This is has happened to many Subaru owners and Subaru does nothing. Now I want Safelite to do repair, but Subaru will not honor any work involving eyesight navigation unless it is Subaru glass,

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Visibility · RI

I have had to replace the windshield three times in this vehicle since purchasing it. I've had it repaired one other time. The most recent incident was this past week when I came out of work and found a large crack near the Eyesight/rear view mirror area for no apparent reason

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Visibility · CA

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)

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Visibility · TX

windshield cracked 3 years in a row found it odd that we were needed yearly new windshields on line search lead to class action law suit due to defective glass

Filed Dec 3, 2023 · Visibility · ME

As I was driving my car today I saw a crack suddenly appear in the windshield -- running horizontally two and half to three feet from one side to the other. It's quite a crack -- about three inches from the bottom, just above the edge of the black band. This is the third time this has happened -- although the first in this particular pattern -- and it will be the third time I have had to replace the windshield. I have always been told that it is dangerous to drive with a cracked windshield. And here in Maine it is impossible to pass the annual safety inspection with even a small crack. This is a big one. I see quite a few other Outback owners have had to deal with this issue. It would be nice if Subaru would take responsibility. But it won't.

Filed Aug 29, 2023 · Visibility · OH

The windshield has cracked multiple times. I replaced in with the OEM Subaru glass before learning it is a known problem, initially on 2015-16 models but now 2017 to 2020. Subaru insists on recalibration of the ADAS system which has been done, at my expense. I was informed the aftermarket W/S has a slightly thicker W/S glass with a lifetime guarantee. If the W/S is critical in rollover, and air bag deployments, this known defect should be taken seriously.

Filed Jun 18, 2023 · Visibility · MO

Rear view camera would not display on head unit while vehicle is in reverse. Has happened multiple times.

Questions about the 2017 Subaru Outback visibility

Does the 2017 Subaru Outback have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 233 complaints about the visibility of the 2017 Subaru Outback, 25% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Outback visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 36,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Subaru Outback visibility?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Subaru Outback have the most visibility problems?

The Subaru Outback model years with the most visibility complaints are 2019 (387 complaints), 2020 (383 complaints) and 2022 (280 complaints).

Other 2017 Subaru Outback problems

Electrical 392Transmission 47Engine 44Driver assistance 35Acceleration 29Body 27Brakes 25Steering 24Airbags 16Fuel system 16Lights 7Suspension 6Seat belts 5Wheels 5Tires 3Seats 2Locks 1

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