2017 Subaru Legacy recalls and problems

The 2017 Subaru Legacy has 2 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Urgent: recall 16V-292 carries a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
2
Complaints
119
Crashes / fires
10 / 1
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2017 Subaru Legacy vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2017 Subaru Legacy recalls

Recall 16V-716: Air Bags, Steering

Reported Oct 6, 2016 · 54 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Recall 16V-292: Steering

Do not driveReported May 11, 2016 · 48,819 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

2017 Subaru Legacy problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Visibility/Wiper33
Electrical System30
Unknown or Other21
Steering9
Air Bags7
Structure6
Service Brakes5
Engine5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Power Train4
Visibility3
Tires3

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 6
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Visibility › Windshield — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 1
  • Tires › Bead — 1
  • Tires › Sidewall — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 31,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2017 Subaru Legacy complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Sep 5, 2026
Since the battery replacement settlement I've had 3 batteries die from my car being off, the latest battery replacement was 3/2026. I can't tell what my milage is since the battery is so dead that none of the displays turn on when I hit the start button
Electrical System · reported Jan 28, 2026
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.
Service Brakes · reported Jan 27, 2026
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 building. My wife called 911 since I told her my chest really hurt. When the police came, I told them my foot must have slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator, since I had no idea what else might have caused the car to accelerate like that. My wife drove the car home and then drove to the ER where the EMTs had…
Visibility/Wiper · reported Dec 10, 2025
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 genuine Subaru replacement windshields for 2015-2019 Legacy and Outback models appear to be defective and this should be investigated.
Air Bags · reported May 6, 2025
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

Other Subaru Legacy years

Compare all Subaru Legacy years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 Subaru Legacy: 16V-716 (air bags, steering), 16V-292 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Subaru Legacy?

Owners report visibility/wiper problems most often (33 reports), followed by electrical system (30). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 31,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.