P0500 on a 2017 Subaru Outback
Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0500 on a 2017 Subaru Outback indicates vehicle speed sensor malfunction. It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is failed transmission-mounted vehicle speed sensor (pre-can bus vehicles) (typically $100–$350). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0500 mean on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
P0500 is set when the ECM does not see a valid vehicle speed signal, or sees a signal that does not correlate with engine RPM and selected gear. Modern vehicles derive vehicle speed from the ABS wheel speed sensors and broadcast it on the CAN bus; older vehicles use a dedicated transmission-mounted vehicle speed sensor (VSS). The fault source depends on which generation the vehicle is.
This guide covers P0500 across the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2015 through 2019.
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Subaru Outback with P0500?
In most cases a 2017 Subaru Outback stays drivable for short trips with P0500 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a moderate-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test.
What are the symptoms of P0500 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Check Engine Light is illuminated
- Speedometer reads zero or fluctuates erratically
- Odometer not accumulating miles
- Transmission may shift harshly or hold a gear too long
- Cruise control inoperative
- ABS or traction control lights may also be illuminated
- Possible speed-sensitive systems disabled (power steering assist on some EPS vehicles)
What causes P0500 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Failed transmission-mounted vehicle speed sensor (pre-CAN bus vehicles) | Most common | $100–$350 |
| Failed ABS wheel speed sensor that feeds the ECM via CAN bus | Common | $150–$500 |
| Damaged or corroded VSS / wheel speed sensor connector | Common | $50–$250 |
| CAN bus wiring fault — message dropped between ABS module and PCM | Occasional | $100–$600 |
| Failed ABS control module | Occasional | $400–$1,500 |
| Damaged tone ring or reluctor wheel at the wheel hub | Occasional | $200–$700 |
| Failed instrument cluster on CAN-derived vehicles | Rare | $400–$1,200 |
How to diagnose this on a 2017 Subaru Outback
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Identify the vehicle speed source
Determine whether this vehicle uses a dedicated VSS on the transmission (typical for late-1990s through mid-2000s) or derives speed from the ABS wheel speed sensors. The service manual or the wiring diagram will tell you which. The diagnostic path differs significantly.
Tools: Vehicle-specific service information
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Check for accompanying ABS or wheel-speed codes
On CAN-bus vehicles, P0500 with an ABS module code (C0035 family codes for individual wheel sensors) points directly at the failed wheel speed sensor. P0500 alone — no ABS codes — suggests either the dedicated VSS, the CAN bus message itself, or the ECM input.
Tools: Scan tool with multi-module access
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Compare instrument cluster speed to scan tool speed
With the vehicle on a lift and the drive wheels spinning slowly in gear, compare the speedometer needle to the live vehicle speed PID on the scan tool. If they match but read zero, the source is the problem. If they disagree, the issue is in the signal path between the source and one of the consumers.
Tools: Scan tool, Vehicle lift or jack stands
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Test the VSS or wheel speed sensor signal
For a transmission VSS, rotate the output shaft by hand or on a lift and watch the sensor output on the scan tool — it should produce a pulse for each rotation. For a wheel speed sensor, rotate the wheel slowly and watch its individual wheel speed PID.
Tools: Scan tool with raw sensor PIDs, Vehicle lift
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Inspect the connector and wiring
VSS and wheel-speed sensor connectors live in harsh under-body environments. Water intrusion, road salt corrosion, and chafing against the brake hose are all common. Clean the connector pins, verify the harness routing, and re-test.
Tools: Electrical contact cleaner, Dielectric grease, Flashlight
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2017 Subaru Outback. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Subaru Outback diagnostics.
- POWER TRAIN 46
- ENGINE 42
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 391
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 205
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 175
4 active recalls
- AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE Dec 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.…
NHTSA campaign 19V910000 - SUSPENSION Aug 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabili…
NHTSA campaign 16V576000 - STEERING:COLUMN Oct 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.…
NHTSA campaign 16V716000 - STEERING:COLUMN May 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may…
NHTSA campaign 16V292000
How do I fix P0500 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Replace the transmission-mounted vehicle speed sensor (older vehicles)
- Replace the failed ABS wheel speed sensor
- Repair damaged sensor wiring or connector
- Replace damaged tone ring / reluctor at the wheel hub
- Repair CAN bus wiring fault
- Replace ABS control module (only if confirmed bad)
About the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback
The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 2.5L H4, 2.4L Turbo H4, 3.6L H6. Common trims include Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, Onyx Edition.
Why P0500 affects so many other systems
Vehicle speed is one of the most widely-shared signals on a modern vehicle. The ECM, TCM, ABS module, EPS module, instrument cluster, body control module, and infotainment all consume it. When it goes missing or invalid, multiple systems degrade simultaneously — and several warning lights illuminate, which can look like a much bigger problem than it really is.
The transmission VSS test (older vehicles)
On pre-CAN-bus vehicles, the VSS is typically a two-wire sensor mounted on the transmission tailshaft or transfer case. With the vehicle in neutral and the rear wheels off the ground, slowly rotate a rear wheel. A multimeter set to AC volts should show a small AC signal — typically 0.5–2 V — varying with rotation speed. No signal at all means the sensor or its tone ring is dead.
The wheel speed sensor test (modern vehicles)
Modern ABS-derived speed signals come from one of four wheel sensors that magnetically pick up a tone ring on the hub. The most common failure is a damaged tone ring after a wheel bearing replacement done without care. Always replace tone rings as a kit when servicing hubs on vehicles with this system.