2017 Subaru Legacy Problems
Compared with other Subaru Legacy years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Subaru Legacy year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 22 of its 119 complaints were filed by the end of 2019.
- Most reported problem: Windshield cracks without a clear impact (36 complaints, median 33,800 mi).
- 1 recall with a do-not-drive warning, 2 in total. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2014
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 119filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 31,000miles, 60 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 21 do-not-drive
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 25 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Subaru Legacy (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2017 Legacy most often describe windshields that crack or chip with little or no apparent impact, sometimes while the car is parked, and repeated replacements are common. A second recurring theme is the key sticking in the ignition or the engine refusing to shut off after the car is shifted into park, along with batteries going flat when the car sits for a few weeks.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks without a clear impact
- 36 complaints (30%)
- median 33,800 mi at 3.4 yrs old (24 state mileage)
- filed 2017–2025
Complaints describe windshields developing long cracks while driving, after starting the car, or after sitting overnight in a garage or parking lot, often with no visible chip or strike point. Several owners say the crack began near the bottom of the glass or behind the mirror and spread within days, and some report replacing the windshield two to four times. Some mention that the EyeSight driver-assist system means replacement requires recalibration at higher cost, and that dealers attributed the damage to a rock strike. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to over 100,000, with many cases in cold or temperature-swing weather.
What to check: Inspect the windshield closely for chips, star breaks or repairs, especially along the lower edge and around the mirror. Ask whether the glass has been replaced and, if so, whether the EyeSight cameras were recalibrated afterward.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My windshield cracked two thirds of the way across from the bottom corner of the driver's side towards the middle across the front windshield. Started while I was driving on a highway turning slightly to the right at 60 MPH. Initially occurred a few weeks ago and grew over the course of three days. Hasn't grown noticeably since then.”
NHTSA complaint #11317925, filed 2020-03, 129,115 miles“I noticed a small crack in my windshield when I went to my garage, I hadn't driven the car for several days so I thought possibly extreme heat or humidity might have caused the windshield to crack. It seemed unusual but I did not have any other explanation since the car was parked in the garage & the crack was in a very noticeable spot. I called Subaru to have the windshield replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11386390, filed 2021-01, 34,100 miles - Other or unknown
Key stuck in ignition after shifting to park
- 13 complaints (11%)
- median 33,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- filed 2019–2024
Owners describe the key refusing to come out, or the engine not shutting off, once the car is placed in park; some have to shift out to reverse or neutral and back to park several times before the key releases. Some report leaving the car unlocked with the key inside, and others say the battery drained because the key stayed in the on position. Complaints mention dealer advice to jiggle the shifter and references to a solenoid or lock component in the shifter assembly. Mostly reported between roughly 3,500 and 60,000 miles, with several cases at 30,000 to 54,000 miles.
What to check: With the engine running, shift into park, shut off and try removing the key a few times during the test drive. Ask whether the shifter assembly or ignition lock has been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The key gets stuck in the ignition and it is impossible to remove once the car is placed in park. I can not turn the car off because the key can not be moved to the lock position. This happens all the time, but I had to pick a date so I picked the most recent occurrence. I know from online searches that other Subaru owners are having the same problem”
NHTSA complaint #11390776, filed 2021-01, 31,000 miles“When I go to park my 2017 Subaru Legacy, I put my car in park and the key will not turn. It gets stuck and the engine will not turn off. Consequently, I am not able to turn off my car and take my key out. The dealer told me to back up my car and thrust my gear shifter into park. Then I was able to turn the key off. However, the situation continues to happen every time that I drive the car. It is clearly an issue with the engine/car as this never happened prior. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270314, filed 2019-10, 31,000 miles - Electrical system
Battery drains when the car sits unused
- 24 complaints (20%)
- median 43,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 2020–2026
Complaints describe the battery going flat after the car is left parked for a few weeks, requiring jump starts, and batteries replaced at two to three years old. A few owners report corrosion at the terminals recurring even on dealer-installed batteries, and some mention a battery settlement claim process they found difficult to use. Reported on vehicles of varied mileage and age, often after the car sat for two to three weeks or more.
What to check: Check the battery date label and look for corrosion or acid residue at the terminals. Ask how often the car was driven and whether it ever sat for extended periods; a parasitic-draw test can be requested before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Bought my car in 2017 and I had my battery replaced 2.5 years later due to low battery, multiple jumpstarts, failure starting, and severe corrosion. The replacement battery was from the dealership and within 6 months it had severe corrosion. During service the corrosion was cleared, but returned by the time the next service was due. I was asked to pay $57 to clear the corrosion which I declined because I thought since I got the battery by the dealership they would do it for free. …”
NHTSA complaint #11416658, filed 2021-05, 54,000 miles“Bought this car in the middle of june as barely driven, for a very good price. Although the car had a 2 month old battery, the car battery was completely dead when I tried to crank it for a test drive. They jumped it and the test drive the battery was charged up. I was driving the vehicle every day so I never had a problem until now, when the kids school started and my car was parked for a couple of weeks without starting it. My wife went to the store and she could not come back, I had to give her a jump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360953, filed 2020-09, 43,000 miles - Steering
Steering wander and weak on-center feel
- 5 complaints (4%)
- median 11,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2017–2026
Owners describe the car pulling to one side, needing constant correction in crosswinds or when passing trucks, and steering that feels light with little resistance from the road. Some say an alignment was performed and the problem returned within weeks, and that dealers described the feel as normal for the design. One complaint mentions a power steering warning message through the telematics system after a crash. Reported from as low as 2,000 miles up to about 30,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership.
Recall 16V292000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin
What to check: Drive at highway speed and note whether the car tracks straight and resists crosswinds. Ask for the alignment printout and check that the steering column recall work, if applicable, was completed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“After purchasing my vehicle in november, my steering felt off in december. A couple weeks later my tire pressure light came on. I took my car in for service and there was a nail in my tire. Subaru repaired the tired. Upon leaving Subaru, steering continued to feel off . Pulling to one side constantly. I took the car in to Subaru again for a wheel alignment on january 23rd. They confirmed it was out of alignment and fixed it. The car drove great for 2 weeks and again it is off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10954247, filed 2017-02, 2,000 miles“I had an accident with my 2017 Subaru Legacy and initially saw a deer to my left and tried to steer slightly right. Next thing I know the cops are there and took me to hospital. They said the car went over an embankment. It had massive damage and after two months in shop, still pulls to the right. I never received a recall on this car but it was sending me messages through starlink saying there was a power steering problem. I will try to attach that screen shot. Also the dealer that sold us the car has been no help at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11179976, filed 2019-02, 12,000 miles
Buying note. Look closely at the windshield and ask about its replacement history, and test the ignition key release and battery condition during the drive. Verifying open recalls by VIN and requesting service records will tell you how much of this has already been addressed on a given car.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 119 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. 60 of the complaints include a mileage, and 78% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 31,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns (1 marked do-not-drive) and 394 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 14 Subaru Legacy model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system30 25%
- Other or unknown21 18%
- Steering9 7.6%
- Air bags7 5.9%
- Body and structure6 5.0%
- Brakes5 4.2%
- Engine5 4.2%
- Fuel system4 3.4%
Also reported: Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Suspension (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Wheels (2), Exterior lighting (1), Forward collision avoidance (1), Lane departure (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I was driving north on hwy 75 in idaho on a slushy morning and a state plow truck driving south was throwing sand on the road and when he drove past the sand he was throwing cracked my windshield. Now my windshield has continued to crack and is impeding my vision.”
NHTSA complaint #11386440, filed 2021-01, 37,000 milesElectrical system: “The check engine light has been going on in my 2017 Subaru Legacy with only 8,000 miles & still under warranty. On june 18th we left houston for south dakota with assurance from the dealership that as long as the light was not flashing the car was safe to drive. On the 2nd day of our trip the check engine light stayed on constantly & we were not unable to use our cruise control. We had the car diagnosed & repaired in rapid city, sd. At courtesy Subaru. It was diagnosed as a wiring harness. It would take 1500 hours to repair. The vehicle was torn completely apart. I have attached photos. …”
NHTSA complaint #11231381, filed 2019-07, 8,000 milesOther or unknown: “In a parking lot in a stationary position I shifted into park and was not able to remove the key from the ignition; it happened again the same day in my garage.”
NHTSA complaint #11191790, filed 2019-03, 3,500 milesSteering: “Key is getting stuck in ignition after car is placed in park and turned off. Car must be moved out of park into neutral and park into park multiple times before key can be removed from ignition. At times I have had to leave the key in the car and return later in order to remove it. This is creating a hazard not only for the potential for the car to be stolen but also it keeps me from moving my car quickly if necessary.”
NHTSA complaint #11270013, filed 2019-10, 54,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
78% of the 60 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 47,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2016: same overall rating; 2018: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2017 Subaru Legacy version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 25 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Legacy AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | CVT | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- Steering › ColumnCovers: Subaru Legacy 2016–2017, Outback 2015–2017
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…
- 16V716000Oct 6, 2016Air bags › Knee bolsterCovers: Subaru Legacy 2017, Outback 2017
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…
Recall details for the 2017 Subaru Legacy → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 394 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026Transmission and drivetrain, Electrical system. This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026Electrical system. This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to…
Other model years of the Subaru Legacy
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 1,500 | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 17 | — | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 10 | 1,025 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 34 | 8,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 38 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 31 | 5,150 | 3 | 5 | 30 | 26 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2020 | 121 | 5,900 | 6 | 5 | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 123 | 6,125 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 71 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 117 | 20,450 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2017 | 119 | 31,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 147 | 35,000 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 160 | 16,070 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 87 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 53 | 30,284 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 66 | 30,000 | 12 | 5 | 24 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 90 | 87,500 | 16 | — | 22 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 167 | 77,000 | 16 | 4 | 22 | 75 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 150 | 70,000 | 18 | — | 22 | 79 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 65 | 72,486 | 13 | — | 21 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 65 | 78,256 | 9 | — | 21 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 33 | 65,392 | 9 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 87 | 98,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 184 | 74,000 | 9 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 49 | 85,000 | 10 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 60 | 79,800 | 14 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 54 | 66,750 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 77 | 62,540 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 94 | 94,815 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 94 | 101,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 114 | 108,048 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 139 | 92,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 123 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 182 | 166,116 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 60 | 125,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1993 | 77 | 114,385 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 55 | 124,900 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 78 | 149,630 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 81 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Legacy model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Subaru Legacy?
Owners of the 2017 Legacy most often describe windshields that crack or chip with little or no apparent impact, sometimes while the car is parked, and repeated replacements are common. The issues reported most often: Windshield cracks without a clear impact; Key stuck in ignition after shifting to park; Battery drains when the car sits unused.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Subaru Legacy have?
NHTSA recorded 119 consumer complaints for the 2017 Subaru Legacy as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Subaru Legacy is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 35 complaints (29% of the total), followed by electrical system with 30.
Has the 2017 Subaru Legacy been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2017 Subaru Legacy do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Subaru Legacy get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Subaru Legacy (Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 25 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Subaru Legacy reported?
Among the 60 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 31,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 47,000 miles; 78% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.