Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Subaru Legacy. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Improperly Aligned Knee Guard Bracket
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
Loss of Steering Ability
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (119)
119 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The visibility/wiper is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 119 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 33 | 27.7% |
| Electrical system | 30 | 25.2% |
| Unknown or other | 21 | 17.6% |
| Steering | 9 | 7.6% |
| Air bags | 7 | 5.9% |
| Structure | 6 | 5% |
| Engine | 5 | 4.2% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 4.2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 3.4% |
| Power train | 4 | 3.4% |
How 2017 compares with other Legacy years
Best and worst Legacy years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 66 | 12 |
| 2014 | 53 | 10 |
| 2015 | 159 | 3 |
| 2016 | 147 | 3 |
| 2017 | 119 | 2 |
| 2018 | 117 | 3 |
| 2019 | 123 | 3 |
| 2020 | 121 | 6 |
| 2021 | 31 | 3 |
| 2022 | 34 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Subaru Legacy 4 dr awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 311 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 29 | $2,300 | 311 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 387 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2017 Legacy for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2017 Subaru Legacy FAQ
How many recalls does the 2017 Subaru Legacy have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 16V716000 (air bag), 16V292000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2017 Subaru Legacy problems?
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. Visibility/wiper (33), Electrical system (30), Unknown or other (21) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2017 Subaru Legacy get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT version at 25 city, 34 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2017 Subaru Legacy get?
NHTSA rated the 2017 Subaru Legacy 4 dr awd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (10.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2017 Legacy compare with other years?
Among the 2013–2021 Subaru Legacy model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (31) and the 2015 the most (159). The 2017 drew 119. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.