2017 Subaru Legacy: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2017 Subaru Legacy? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 118 complaints, with Visibility/Wiper as the top reported area.
2017 Subaru Legacy Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2017 Subaru Legacy trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2017 Subaru Legacy Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
10.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
10.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Subaru Legacy has 118 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Visibility/Wiper. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Legacy
- Model year
- 2017
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 118
- Crash-related complaints
- 10
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Visibility/Wiper
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 29
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 25 / 34
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2017 Subaru Legacy Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Visibility/Wiper
Electrical Faults
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Visibility/Wiper, Electrical Faults, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2017 Subaru Legacy?
The 2017 Subaru Legacy shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2017 Subaru Legacy
Inspection Focus
- Inspect windshield wipers and washer system for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and steering components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect windshield wipers and washer system for proper operation.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and steering components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2017 Subaru Legacy, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2017 Subaru Legacy are concentrated in the Visibility/Wiper and Electrical Faults categories, together accounting for over half of all reports. A recurring theme appears to be issues with windshield wipers and various electrical components. With only 118 complaints across one model year and low confidence, these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Visibility/Wiper complaints are the most reported issue, with 33 complaints.
- Electrical Faults follow closely with 29 complaints.
- There are 10 crash-related complaints among the total 118.
- Visibility/Wiper: 33 complaints, suggesting potential wiper or windshield issues.
- Electrical Faults: 29 complaints, indicating possible electrical system problems.
- Steering Defects: 9 complaints, though less frequent.
All 2017 Subaru Legacy Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 33 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 29 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 21 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 7 | 6 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Major fuel leak within engine bay
The battery has died several times and had to be replaced over the years due to a likely slow drain issue that Subaru is well aware of and was part of a class action suit against them.
I drove into the parking lot of Walgreens, then drove around and pulled into a parking spot facing the south side of the building and put my foot on the brake to stop and park. Instead of stopping, the car suddenly lurched forward violently and slammed into the brick wall of the…
My 2017 Legacy is on it's 3rd windshield this year. I had impact damage on July 17th, had it replaced the first week of August, and it cracked without impact damage in October. Subaru refused to replace it under warranty and it was replaced through insurance in December. The g…
The OCS sensor is faulty and doesn’t detect a passanger and may cause the airbag not to deploy, this is common according to other Subaru owners. This is a common problem on many cars and those cars have been recalled
The catalytic converter has been replaced twice and is now needing a third replacement. The car emits gas fumes, unsafe emissions, and the fuel causes the mechanism to be extremely hot and unsafe. Over time, the car has had reduced gas flow and will stop running. The dealer h…
The mirror drivers side mirror wiggles. I. The even of a battery failure the electrical brake may fail
The key frequently gets stuck in the ignition. It takes several attempts to release the key. Turning the wheel to ensure the wheel isn’t locked and turning the ignition/car on does not help release the key from ignition.
The key constantly stuck in ignition. Sometimes 10 minutes to get out. Then won’t start ignition Key broke off in ignition … your stuck with this situation that Subaru is pretending to not know about
Electric Power Steering failure
The HOOD LATCH Failed, and hood came up at 70 mph on interstate. This has caused extensive damage.
the key gets stuck in the ignition and you have to slide the shifter back in forth till it unlocks. I'm showing recall on other Subaru but not on mine ? or at least my year of car. why is that ? everyday its takes longer and longer to get the key to release.
Jan 2021 my battery died. So I called AAA and they were able to replace it. Then last year I received a notice of a problem with batteries. I submitted a claim with the SUBARU BATTERY SETTLEMENT. I submitted my receipts. They denied my claim stating that I did not use a Subaru au…
On May 16, 2023 I was driving a friend home. We were stopped at a red light and felt an impact. My friend said, "You've been hit." I went out to check. No one had hit the car. It had lurched forward while my foot was on the brake. On 6/1/23 I pulled out of a driveway, car wa…
The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things no…
Hood released and blew open while doing 50 mph. After checking oil level, I closed and verified hood was latched, which it was. Driving about 2miles down road, hood blew up causing instant panic and stopping. After pulling over, I found that the hood would no longer latch. I had…
When i brought car in for an oil change. cam carrier leak, was reported to me that there was a cam carrier leak. When i look online there are countless reports of this. Seems like there could be something faulty with the engine. Subaru offered to cover the repair as a 1 time cur…
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was heard, and then a crack formed from the bottom of the windshield without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…
When running on a highway and you press down on the accelerator hard to merge onto a highway or go around a vehicle to move out of the way of vehicles quickly coming up behind you, the engine takes over and speeds up on its own. It has occurred three times on a newly purchased us…
Vehicle's batter discharges to the point where the vehicle has to be jumped or battery charged up. The vehilce had two batteries replaced in a span of 6 months and after the last repalcement I checked the batter about one month later and found the battery dead, 11.7 volts, I rec…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Subaru Legacy.
2017 Subaru Legacy Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2017 Subaru Legacy Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2017 Subaru Legacy reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 118 owner complaints, 10 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2017 Subaru Legacy shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Legacy?▾
#1: Visibility/Wiper (33 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (29 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (21 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Subaru Legacy?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2017 Subaru Legacy?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Subaru Legacy, NHTSA complaints include 10 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 118 total complaints. 6 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2017 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Subaru Legacy. A major recall area is STEERING:COLUMN. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2017 Subaru Legacy?▾
The 2017 Subaru Legacy shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Visibility/Wiper during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2017 Subaru Legacy based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.