6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
28,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #1

Apr 302019

Outback

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

Bought a used 2017 Outback (with 28,000 miles) as a replacement for my 2011 Outback (given to son). So disappointed in 2017 model.

FIRST ISSUE: When on even a slight incline, shifting from reverse to forward, the vehicle rolls backward with long delay before engaging in forward gear and still continues to roll backward sometimes stalling out. I took it to the dealer for inspection. I was told there is nothing wrong/everything is functioning correctly, and that I should use the "hill/incline" button when backing down an incline, which engages the parking brake. The inconvenience and delay in reaction time is illogical. Why should a car have to have the parking brake applied in order to go forward from reverse when one is actively backing up?

I experience this every day backing out of my driveway.

The worst experience with this issue was backing out of a parking lot into two lane traffic while there was a break in traffic. The Eyesight applied the brakes because it detected cars turning into my lane, and after I got that overridden by applying the gas, THEN the car hesitated in shifting from reverse to forward. Thankfully, the speed limit is such that I didn't disrupt traffic much. Terrible delay in transmission from reverse to forward.

SECOND ISSUE: We had our first snow since I purchased this car. I took it out for a short drive. Just doesn't have the feel of my 2011, felt more like a front wheel drive car in the snow. On my way home I stopped to check my mail box which I do every day. Only this time there was a couple inches of snow on the ground. Starting from a dead stop and less than a foot from my mailbox that car put me in the ditch. Drivers side tires started sliding and the more I tried to pull out of it, the further it went in the ditch, EVEN WITH TWO TIRES ON THE ROAD. That is not how an Outback should perform. The dealer service agent explained that when driving in adverse terrain it may be necessary to hit the "X" control when turns off asymmetrical power distribution. SAY WHAT? I bought another Outback because I live in adverse terrain in a hollow in WV! I have never ever gotten stuck in the snow or mud with the 2011 Outback. The attraction of the Outback is that it goes in the harsh elements like a tank. Not this 2017 that I have.

Love is what makes a Subaru a Subaru. I LOVE my 2011 Outback so much that I gave it to my 17 year old son. I do not love this 2017 Outback. I have no confidence in this car that it will perform well in adverse conditions.

I have parked it in my driveway and do not intend to put any more miles than necessary on it until I can either find a solution or trade it off. If this car is a reflection of new Subaru standards for the Outback, then perhaps I can find a 1980's model with 300,000 miles as a replacement.

- Sherri A., Chloe, WV, US