Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a ding on the windshield as a horizontal crack formed on the middle, passenger side windshield. The crack expanded to the driver's side of the windshield and the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the windshield replaced. After the repair, two small chips were formed on the windshield which the contact had repaired by an independent mechanic. One day upon entering the vehicle, the contact noticed another horizontal crack had formed on the middle, passenger's side windshield. The contact stated that each failure obstructed his vision while driving at various speeds. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a crack started forming on the driver's side windshield and moved towards the center of the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was not struck by an object to cause the crack to form. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,500. Subaru was made aware of this defective windshield and installed a NEW windshield at NO COST to the contact on December 27, 2021. The installation was accomplished by Don K Whitefish in Whitefish, MT on their R/O number 3602221/1. No further action is required.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle that was parked in the driveway under the shade of a tree, he noticed that the driver's side of the windshield was cracked. The contact stated that the crack was irregular and was a foot long. The contact stated that he looked around but could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the windshield would be replaced at his own expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while her daughter was sitting inside the vehicle, the front windshield suddenly started to crack. The crack extended approximately sixteen inches from the driver's side to the passenger's side. The contact indicated that no objects had struck the windshield to cause the crack. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the front windshield cracked without impact at the bottom on the passenger's side of the windshield. The contact then stated as the day progressed, the crack continued to grow and spread throughout the front windshield. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon entering his vehicle, he noticed a horizontal, foot long crack had formed on the driver's side windshield without incident. The contact stated that the crack obstructed his vision while driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns the 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the front windshield developed a crack starting from the driver's side to the center of the windshield. The contact stated that neither a rock nor an object hit the windshield for the crack to appear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,192.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the front windshield was previously replaced; however, the windshield was again cracked. There was no impact on the windshield that could have caused the crack. An auto glass company replaced the windshield. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was a crack on the windshield. The contact stated that there was no impact to the windshield that could have caused the crack. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2017 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 233 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2017 Subaru Outback, 25% of the model year's 919 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Subaru Outback window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2017 Subaru Outback, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Subaru Outback window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.