Is the 2017 Subaru LEGACY reliable?

The 2017 Subaru LEGACY has 140 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Subaru LEGACY?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (36 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (29 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Subaru LEGACY?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): STEERING:COLUMN, STEERING:COLUMN. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Subaru LEGACY?

The 2017 Subaru LEGACY gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Subaru LEGACY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Subaru LEGACY is approximately $1,607/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Subaru LEGACY has 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is visibility problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: sunroof glass spontaneously broke while driving on a two lane divided highway. there were no other vehicles around when this happened. this caused glass to fall down onto all the passengers in the vehicle. *tr. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 9 crash reports 5 injuries

140

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

36 complaints

26%

• SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED GLASS TO FALL DOWN ONTO ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
• SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED GLASS TO FALL DOWN ONTO ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
• HELLO, I HAVE NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH 2017 SUBARU LEGACY WINDSHEILDS. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 88F AND THE "AUTO" CLIMATE CONTROL IS SET TO 68C THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TEMPERATURE BETWEEN THE OUTSIDE AIR, AND THE COOLING INSIDE AIR DRAMATICALLY INCREASES THE WEAKNESS AND BRITTLENESS OF THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED GLASS TO FALL DOWN ONTO ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 68 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 31K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 25K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 12K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 54K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

STEERING:COLUMN06/10/2016

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2017 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 140 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: SUNROOF GLASS SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A TWO LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS CAUSED GLASS TO FALL DOWN ONTO ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 CHEC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WINDSHEILD- THE MATERIALS USED FOR THE WINDSHIELD IN THIS VEHICLE ARE SUBSTANDARD. I LEASED THE VEHICLE ON 4/18/2017 AND IT IS NOW 10/24/2017 AND MY WINDSHEILD HAS CRACKED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT CRACKED I HAD IT REPLACED RIGHT AWAY. THIS TIME I DECIDED TO WAIT A WEEK OR SO TO SEE IF IT WOULD CONTI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: 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 CONSTANTL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)