2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 421 of 1,036 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (16) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 789 in 2016 to 1,036 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2017 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–29 | 22–29 | 22–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–26 / 27–35 | 20–26 / 27–35 | 20–25 / 27–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 302–398 | 302–398 | 311–398 | |
| Complaints filed | 669 | 789 | 1,036 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 35 | 31 | 42 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 3 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 27 | 16 | 31 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Electrical: 421 of 1,036 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates it 22–29 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 398 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 311 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (high) | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 319 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 48 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 51 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 421 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Brakes | 33 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 24 | 16 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 62 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 276 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 199 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V910000 · Dec 20, 2019
Defect: 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: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN; AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · Campaign 16V716000 · Oct 6, 2016
Defect: 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.
SUSPENSION; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 16V576000 · Aug 3, 2016
Defect: 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.
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 16V292000 · May 11, 2016
Defect: 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: 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.