Model year 2017 · Midsize Cars, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback at 22–29 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,038 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
22–29
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as LEGACY, OUTBACK.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, newest first.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module
NHTSA 19V910000Reported Dec 19, 2019
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WUX-09)
Units affected
46 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WTL-72)
Components
Air bags: Knee bolster; Steering: Column
Units affected
54 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper and 1 more component
NHTSA 16V576000Reported Aug 3, 2016
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WTE-66)
Components
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper; Suspension
Units affected
99 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WTD-65)
Units affected
48,819 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback owner complaints
Owners have filed 1,038 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, most recently on Oct 16, 2026. 42 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 31 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Electrical system
411
Visibility/wiper
238
Unknown or other
199
Engine
49
Power train
48
Steering
33
Structure: Body
30
Vehicle speed control
29
Service brakes
28
Visibility: Windshield
27
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
