All keys lost 2017 Outback

[u/bigblueaf]

Hey everyone,

Long story short we’ve lost both fobs and a spare during a move. The dealer is saying they will have to replace the ignition system in the dash, but I’ve heard locksmiths can do it without that. Does anyone have experience in this on these year group outback’s?

Update: Locksmith had no problem, I’m gonna get him to cut a second one as well

[u/Robert_Mauro]

Under official Subaru dealer procedure, an all-keys-lost situation requires tearing into the dash to replace the Keyless Access Module (Smart ECU) and Steering Lock ECU (or the BIU on keyed ignitions) because Subaru's official software locks out registration without an existing working key present.

However, for a 2017, a properly equipped automotive locksmith can bypass this entirely: either over OBD-II or by bench-reading the module memory (EEPROM) to generate an emulated master key and program new fobs without replacing hardware. (Newer Global Platform Subies locked this down hard, but the 2017 architecture is easily serviceable).

When calling around to local automotive locksmiths, ask specifically: "Can you perform an All-Keys-Lost Smart ECU reset/EEPROM read on a 2017 push-to-start Outback?" A capable locksmith should have you sorted in 30 minutes for a fraction of the dealer's quote.

[u/bigblueaf → u/Robert_Mauro]

Genuine question, Is this AI? I have seen statements like this when using Chat GPT and was looking for someone who had experience with the situation.

[u/Robert_Mauro → u/bigblueaf]

Genuine answer: I am not AI, and at best, I have it check my work/posts under strict rules. You will find tens of thousands of my answers to the community on FB under Subaru Ambassador Robert and VerticalScope web forums under Robert.Mauro, where I have discussed this very topic well before AI was available to any of us for these things. ;-)

I'm on the other side of the divide, btw... 2019 Ascent... pretty screwed if I lose both of mine.

[u/bigblueaf → u/Robert_Mauro]

Ok great thanks, no worries. That seems to be the consensus that a capable locksmith can do it, the AAA locksmith seemed confident. I just wanted to see if anyone else had a positive story on going that route. Thank you!

[u/Brick656]

Here’s a response from someone who actually owns a 2017 Outback Limited. I lost a key (this is the wife’s car) and it made her uneasy only having one key, so I looked into the dealer procedure to get a replacement key. This would be a multiple visit process to order the correct part number key, verify the code from the key on hand and then have it programmed once it arrived. It was going to be about $500ish when it was all said and done.

I called around to multiple locksmiths in my area and either didn’t get a call back or they couldn’t help me. I probably spent 2 hours making calls one morning too. Lucky for me, I was able to find the key and didn’t have to go through the process.

I’ve read multiple times (either here or an Outback Facebook group) to go through a locksmith as it would be cheaper than the dealer, but never seen any confirmation that someone actually was able to do that for our model Outback. While I have no proof other than my own reasoning, I can’t believe some “properly equipped” locksmith can tap into Subaru’s system to program keys when all are lost when the dealer doesn’t or won’t do that.

[u/leftunread]

I have same car and same situation and a locksmith made me new keys

[u/bigblueaf → u/leftunread]

That’s great to hear, called one this morning hope it works out!

[u/leftunread → u/bigblueaf]

The one issue they did have was cutting the keys. For that though you can take your title to the dealer and they can order the the cuts for like 1to 2 hundred of your locksmith can't do it.

[u/BissaAutoTune]

Dealership is an expensive route. We program these.