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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-SUBARU-LEGACY NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2017 · Subaru

Subaru Legacy problems

118 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Legacy?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

visibility
33 reports · fails ~43,396 mi · avg $350
moderate
electrical
29 reports · fails ~44,875 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
9 reports · fails ~22,200 mi · avg $700
severe
airbags
6 reports · fails ~40,667 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
6 reports · fails ~25,544 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~25,000 mi · avg $2,500
severe
engine
3 reports · fails ~68,000 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 Legacy's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 Legacy?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Legacy · electrical
I have reviewed multiple threads on the internet talking about issues with the key being stuck in the ignition after putting the vehicle in park. They all suggested contacting Subaru america and that there would be a free fix since it impacts safety of the vehicle (seems easy to…
12/30/2020 · at 60,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11385593.0 · see electrical pattern →
2017 Legacy · visibility
On august 30, I traveled north bound on ih 35 towards austin around 6:00pm. As I approached my destination, I noticed a crack that had started in the bottom, center of my windshield. I didn't remember hearing anything hit my windshield, so I was very surprised I had a crack.…
12/23/2019 · at 30,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11290943.0 · see visibility pattern →
2017 Legacy · visibility
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…
2017 Legacy · electrical
Car keeps destroying cells in the battery. Car has died multiple times from sitting over night and has gone through 3 batteries in 3 years. Battery terminal has also corroded away. Car has failed to start many time. Seems to to be a battery drain issue with my car. Subaru…
View all 118 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 Subaru Legacy? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 16V292000 May 11, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc

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

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 16V716000 October 6, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc

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.

Fix: 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.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2017 Subaru Legacy reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Subaru Legacy is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2017 Subaru Legacy?

The 2017 Subaru Legacy is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 Subaru Legacy?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 33 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 43,396 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 43,396 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Subaru Legacy has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Subaru Legacy?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 118 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Subaru/Legacy. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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