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2017 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

516 reports with mileage · 401 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 391 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports17 injury reports

Visibility/wiper complaints

205 reports
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66,360 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Visibility/wiper

PARKED THE CAR WITH NO CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WARMED UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND FOUND A CRACK WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED. CRACK IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE WIPER BLADE AND SPANS IN THREE DIRECTIONS RIGHT WHERE THE WIPER DEICER IS LOCATED. BECAUSE OF WHERE IT IS LOCATED IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN C…

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PARKED THE CAR WITH NO CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. WARMED UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND FOUND A CRACK WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT HAPPENED. CRACK IS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE WIPER BLADE AND SPANS IN THREE DIRECTIONS RIGHT WHERE THE WIPER DEICER IS LOCATED. BECAUSE OF WHERE IT IS LOCATED IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NORMAL DRIVING SUCH AS A ROCK OR DEBRIS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11315622

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2020
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON

NHTSA ODI #11311414

6,500 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHICO SUBARU (2522 COHASSET RD. CHICO, CA) WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD HOWEVER, SOMETIME THEREAFTER THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHICO SUBARU (2522 COHASSET RD. CHICO, CA) WHO REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD HOWEVER, SOMETIME THEREAFTER THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD ALSO SUSTAINED A SIMILAR CRASK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

NHTSA ODI #11311379

20,101 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Visibility/wiper

IRONICALLY ON THE SAME DAY THAT I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED PER RHODE ISLAND INSPECTION LAWS, I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER THE INSPECTION. I CAME OUT A WHILE LATER TO FIND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED IT, THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. IT HAS NOW EXCEED 2 FEET IN LENGTH. I WAS BAFFLED A…

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IRONICALLY ON THE SAME DAY THAT I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED PER RHODE ISLAND INSPECTION LAWS, I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER THE INSPECTION. I CAME OUT A WHILE LATER TO FIND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. WHEN I FIRST OBSERVED IT, THE CRACK WAS ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. IT HAS NOW EXCEED 2 FEET IN LENGTH. I WAS BAFFLED AS TO HOW THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED BUT THEN I SUBSEQUENTLY READ ABOUT HOW THERE WERE LAWSUITS BEING FILED AGAINST SUBARU BECAUSE THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHERS WHOSE WINDSHIELD WERE CRACKING FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI #11311125

23,000 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I PARKED MY CAR IN MY APARTMENT'S PARKING GARAGE OVERNIGHT. WHEN I WENT OUT TO MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD APPROXIMATELY 24". THERE WERE NO CRACKS OR CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD FAILING, NOR DID ANY OBJECT STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT WAS PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11311122

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I NOTICED IT AFTER GETTING READY TO TRAVEL HOME AFTER WORK. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A COVERED GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11310989

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I PURCHASED NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK ON AUGUST 2017. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WITHOUT ANY REASON AFTER TWO WEEKS. I FOUND IT IN THE MORNING. I CALLED TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO PAY OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. TO SAVE MONEY, I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ON SAFELIFE AUTOGLASS. I PAID AROUND $500…

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I PURCHASED NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK ON AUGUST 2017. HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED WITHOUT ANY REASON AFTER TWO WEEKS. I FOUND IT IN THE MORNING. I CALLED TO LOCAL DEALER, BUT THEY SAID THAT I NEED TO PAY OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. TO SAVE MONEY, I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ON SAFELIFE AUTOGLASS. I PAID AROUND $500, BUT MY EYESIGHT WAS NOT ADJUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11310917

20,022 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper

I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AFTER DISCOVERING A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR CAR PORT AND WAS CRACK FREE WHEN LAST DRIVEN THE DAY BEFORE.

NHTSA ODI #11310898

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper

STRESS CRACK ON WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD STARTED TO CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER TO MIDDLE. THERE IS NO CHIP MARK FROM ROAD DEBRIS. JUST STARTED TO CRACK. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #11310891

70,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER AND HAS TRAVELED MORE THAN 15 INCHES TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK IS UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI #11310851

Official recalls

4

19V910000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Dec 19, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.

16V716000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster; Steering:column

Oct 6, 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:knee Bolster

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.

Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.

Steering:column

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.

Consequence: If the knee guard is not properly attached and the driver is not wearing a seatbelt, the knee guard may not be able to properly restrain the driver's lower body in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding on each vehicle's steering beam, replacing the beam as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTL-72.

16V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper; Suspension

Aug 3, 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 stabilizer clamp.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

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 stabilizer clamp.

Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.

Suspension

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 stabilizer clamp.

Consequence: If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.

16V292000 · Steering:column

May 11, 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 have no effect on the direction of the wheels.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

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