CarBrief

The 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback has 1,038 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. The biggest share of them names the electrical system[2].

1,038owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
22–29MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups on file, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2017 Legacy/Outback is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
Outback AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[18] 20 / 27 / 22 $3,050
Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[4] 25 / 34 / 29 $2,300
Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[19] 25 / 32 / 28 $2,400

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR AWD[5] 5 5 5 5 10.1%
SW AWD[20] 5 5 5 4 17.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder[21] 175 hp
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder[22] 256 hp

How 2017 compares with other years

1995: 184 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 169 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 218 complaints, 5 recalls19971998: 241 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 205 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 301 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 248 complaints, 7 recalls20012002: 197 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 153 complaints, 14 recalls20032004: 139 complaints, 10 recalls2005: 457 complaints, 9 recalls20052006: 364 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 162 complaints, 9 recalls20072008: 291 complaints, 9 recalls2009: 171 complaints, 13 recalls20092010: 510 complaints, 18 recalls2011: 819 complaints, 16 recalls20112012: 384 complaints, 16 recalls2013: 363 complaints, 12 recalls20132014: 261 complaints, 10 recalls2015: 670 complaints, 5 recalls20152016: 790 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 1,038 complaints, 4 recalls1,0382017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Legacy/Outback model year. The 2017 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951842
19961693
19972185
19982414
19992053
20003013
20012487
20021974
200315314
200413910
20054579
20063647
20071629
20082919
200917113
201051018
201181916
201238416
201336312
201426110
20156705
20167904
20171,0384

NHTSA's counts for the Legacy/Outback show 1,038 complaints and 4 recalls for 2017[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 22 have fewer complaints than 2017 and 0 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2004 (139) and the most are for 2017 (1,038)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2017 Legacy/Outback?

The record for this model year leans toward electrical trouble and windshield or glass problems[2][6]. Some reports mention crashes, fires or injuries, and none mention deaths[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they say little by themselves. Check the recalls section on this page, since this model year has recalls on file[3]. A used car from this year deserves a careful look at the windows, wiring and glass before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
The electrical system has the most complaints, followed by visibility and wiper issues[2][6].
Does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback have recalls?
Yes, this model year has recalls on file[3]. The full list is in the Recalls section on this page.
How many complaints are there for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
NHTSA has 1,038 owner complaints on file[1]. They are unverified reports from owners.
Is the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback reliable?
The complaint record is led by electrical and visibility issues[2][6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide and not a score.
What is the gas mileage of the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Subaru Legacy/Outback

Compare all model years of the Subaru Legacy/Outback

Other Subaru models from 2017

All Subaru models

Similar cars from 2017: midsize cars

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,038 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback (42 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 31 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 422 complaints name the electrical system component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Legacy/Outback model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 238 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,074). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 199 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 51 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 49 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,476). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 33 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 33 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,983). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V910, filed December 19, 2019: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 16V716, filed October 6, 2016: Air Bags › Knee Bolster. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V576, filed August 3, 2016: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V292, filed May 11, 2016: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Outback AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 256 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.