2017 Subaru Legacy Problems & Owner Complaints

Visibility/Wiper 33

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11704141, 2025

“Driving on the highway all of a sudden my windshield cracked. It was due to stress nothing hit the window”
NHTSA complaint #11474247, 2022

“Windshield on this vehicle cracked for no reason.”
NHTSA complaint #11469539, 2022

Electrical System 29 1 fire

“I do not know what caused the fire, but maybe the battery or something electrical. The car stalled and the. I re-started the car and no warning lights came on the dashboard. I then parked the car. Upon exiting I noticed the front driver’s hood smoking. I went into the bank was parked at and within minutes my car was in flames. The entire engine burned and my car is totaled. A fire marshal was coincidentally on scene and documented the entire event. Currently, this car is under investigation by both my insurance company Liberty Mutual and also Subaru. No warning lights were lit on the car. A fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11427235, 2021 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11713928, 2026

“the key gets stuck in the ignition and you have to slide the shifter back in forth till it unlocks. I'm showing recall on other Subaru but not on mine ? or at least my year of car. why is that ? everyday its takes longer and longer to get the key to release.”
NHTSA complaint #11540990, 2023

Unknown Or Other 21 1 crash 1 fire

“I do not know what caused the fire, but maybe the battery or something electrical. The car stalled and the. I re-started the car and no warning lights came on the dashboard. I then parked the car. Upon exiting I noticed the front driver’s hood smoking. I went into the bank was parked at and within minutes my car was in flames. The entire engine burned and my car is totaled. A fire marshal was coincidentally on scene and documented the entire event. Currently, this car is under investigation by both my insurance company Liberty Mutual and also Subaru. No warning lights were lit on the car. A fi…”
NHTSA complaint #11427235, 2021 · fire

“PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON HIGHWAY WITH NO IMMINENT THREAT OF A COLLISION. THIS CAUSED BY TO ABRUPTLY STOP WITH ME BIENG REAR ENDED.”
NHTSA complaint #11171250, 2019 · crash

“The mirror drivers side mirror wiggles. I. The even of a battery failure the electrical brake may fail”
NHTSA complaint #11620375, 2024

Steering 9 1 crash

“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. THE CAR WAS DRIVING AND IN MOTION. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EITHER.”
NHTSA complaint #11179976, 2018 · crash

“Make noise in the front driver site every time when I drive over bad roads”
NHTSA complaint #11454196, 2022

“Vehicle is difficult to control, especially when driving on uneven roads, or when it is windy. It takes a lot of effort to keep the car in one lane. The ride is rough, and you can hear and feel every little bump in the road. More than a rough ride, this will oftentimes throw my vehicle off path which feels like the car is not in my control momentarily. For instance, it will follow the direction of any cracks/grooves in the road, despite both my hands being on the wheel. This deviation requires immediate correction or risk collision. A passing vehicle moving at a high rate of speed will also pu…”
NHTSA complaint #11448868, 2022

Air Bags 7 6 crash 4 injury

“The contact owned a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH on a two-lane road, he attempted to overtake the driver in front and crashed head-on into a vehicle coming in the opposite direction. The contact stated that the driver's front air bag failed to deploy however, both side curtain air bags deployed as needed. The contact stated that he suffered two fractures to his sternum along with other chest injuries. The contact stated that he was informed by the police officer that the other driver did not require medical attention. The contact was transporte…”
NHTSA complaint #11454515, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Almost hit a deer on Meredith Center road New Hampshire my display warning did not go off cost $12,000 worth of impact on the front end of the car the airbags did not go off deploy broke ribs”
NHTSA complaint #11419861, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“FRONT END COLLISION AIR BAD DID NOT DEPLOY FACE DAMAGE”
NHTSA complaint #11414164, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Structure 6

“Hood released and blew open while doing 50 mph. After checking oil level, I closed and verified hood was latched, which it was. Driving about 2miles down road, hood blew up causing instant panic and stopping. After pulling over, I found that the hood would no longer latch. I had to use a hammer to bend the latch forward enough to have it latch again.”
NHTSA complaint #11526784, 2023

“The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that there was air noises coming into the vehicle from the vents of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that they believed the noises were coming from near the mirrors of the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11459968, 2021

“I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE CARS FRONT WINDSHIELD TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS WITH THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT FROM A SMALL PIECE OF DEBRIS OR ROCK WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS.”
NHTSA complaint #11403537, 2021

Engine 5

“When i brought car in for an oil change. cam carrier leak, was reported to me that there was a cam carrier leak. When i look online there are countless reports of this. Seems like there could be something faulty with the engine. Subaru offered to cover the repair as a 1 time curtesy. But if there is an issue with the design of an engine then this should be looked at further. The rear brushings are also failing don't think this should happen so quickly, maybe faulty brushings. no warning lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11523549, 2023

“When running on a highway and you press down on the accelerator hard to merge onto a highway or go around a vehicle to move out of the way of vehicles quickly coming up behind you, the engine takes over and speeds up on its own. It has occurred three times on a newly purchased used car and it will increase speed up to 100mph. You have to press intermittently on the brakes to pull over to the shoulder and turn off the car for five minutes for the car to reset. If you try to just break, you get a burning smell. I see two class action lawsuits on similar acceleration issues for 2015 to 2017 Outb…”
NHTSA complaint #11513949, 2023

“FLEXIBLE EXHAUST BELLOWS THAT CONNECT EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS CRACKED AND EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN. THIS CAUSES HEADACHES AND NAUSEA WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING ESPECIALLY WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM ON.THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON PRIOR YEAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME BODY STYLE AND ENGINE COMBINATION. MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED.”
NHTSA complaint #11387094, 2020

Service Brakes 5 1 crash 1 injury

“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 h…”
NHTSA complaint #11713752, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The mirror drivers side mirror wiggles. I. The even of a battery failure the electrical brake may fail”
NHTSA complaint #11620375, 2024

“The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee danger as car would freely roll and no way to stop except to hold brake with foot pressed. Ultimately car was chocked and jumped by AAA tow truck. Technician said battery was dead but alternator was…”
NHTSA complaint #11527627, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“The catalytic converter has been replaced twice and is now needing a third replacement. The car emits gas fumes, unsafe emissions, and the fuel causes the mechanism to be extremely hot and unsafe. Over time, the car has had reduced gas flow and will stop running. The dealer has confirmed the three converters installed have been defective. The manufacturer, Subaru, was contacted to inspect the car but refused. Precious years have recalls of the fuel mechanisms. The check engine light stays on when unsafe emissions are detected.”
NHTSA complaint #11647812, 2023

“When running on a highway and you press down on the accelerator hard to merge onto a highway or go around a vehicle to move out of the way of vehicles quickly coming up behind you, the engine takes over and speeds up on its own. It has occurred three times on a newly purchased used car and it will increase speed up to 100mph. You have to press intermittently on the brakes to pull over to the shoulder and turn off the car for five minutes for the car to reset. If you try to just break, you get a burning smell. I see two class action lawsuits on similar acceleration issues for 2015 to 2017 Outb…”
NHTSA complaint #11513949, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE LATER OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC AND FUEL TESTING, WHICH PRODUCED A CODE OF P1603 AND A GOOD FUEL READING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO USE A DIFFERENT FUEL STATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 800.”
NHTSA complaint #10980237, 2016

Power Train 4 1 crash 1 injury

“A 2017 Subaru Legacy was stopped on a hill, on the shoulder of a two lane service road. The driver, who was the car owner, placed the gear selector in park, left the motor idling, exited the vehicle, closed the driver side door, loaded several logs into the trunk, and slammed the trunk. The passenger remained in the vehicle, seated in the passenger seat. The motor idled for about 10 minutes after the driver exited the vehicle. No alarms sounded to alert the driver or passenger that the car was not left as intended—motor running and in park. The vehicle remained completely stationary for about…”
NHTSA complaint #11455806, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On May 16, 2023 I was driving a friend home. We were stopped at a red light and felt an impact. My friend said, "You've been hit." I went out to check. No one had hit the car. It had lurched forward while my foot was on the brake. On 6/1/23 I pulled out of a driveway, car was in drive, foot on brake, paused to set GPS, car lurched forward. I brought to the dealer. They said they drove it for seven miles and could not duplicate the problem. About a year prior, the car had also lurched, but at that time I was in drive doing approx 30 mph, and I used the brake to slow it back to my speed.…”
NHTSA complaint #11531089, 2023

“Driving to work in the morning I began slowing down for a red light. When the vehicle get to ten miles an hour there was a loud bang and felt like the car downshifting. I stopped and checked nothing was abnormal , no warning lights or and signs of damage or failure and the vehicle continued to function normally. So I proceeded to work roughly 20 miles. About 30 minutes later as I was on the off ramp and at about the same speed of 10 miles per hour the vehicle had multiple loud bangs followed but screaching and metal grinding. I was at my job so I pulled into the parking lot as to not get stuc…”
NHTSA complaint #11504018, 2023

Visibility 3

“The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a loud popping noise was heard, and then a crack formed from the bottom of the windshield without impact. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced another time. The vehicle was repaired; however, the con…”
NHTSA complaint #11517944, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A CRACK FORMED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GARCIA SUBARU NORTH (6401 SAN MATEO BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT A ROCK SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED SUCH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11331491, 2020

“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 #10945396, 2017

Back Over Prevention 2 1 crash 1 injury

“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 h…”
NHTSA complaint #11713752, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM LAS VEGAS NV TO MESQUITE NV THE BSD/RCTA AUTOMATICALLY DISABLED ITSELF OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO I TOOK IT TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I GET ALL MY MAINTENANCE DONE AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHY ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT WAS AT NO FAULT TO MY OWN THEY SAID BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY A PRETTY PENNY AND I JUST FEEL THAT SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER DO TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE ON THEIR VEHICLES AND IT WAS NOT MY FAULT IT MA…”
NHTSA complaint #11383789, 2020

Suspension 2

“When i brought car in for an oil change. cam carrier leak, was reported to me that there was a cam carrier leak. When i look online there are countless reports of this. Seems like there could be something faulty with the engine. Subaru offered to cover the repair as a 1 time curtesy. But if there is an issue with the design of an engine then this should be looked at further. The rear brushings are also failing don't think this should happen so quickly, maybe faulty brushings. no warning lights.”
NHTSA complaint #11523549, 2023

“Vehicle is difficult to control, especially when driving on uneven roads, or when it is windy. It takes a lot of effort to keep the car in one lane. The ride is rough, and you can hear and feel every little bump in the road. More than a rough ride, this will oftentimes throw my vehicle off path which feels like the car is not in my control momentarily. For instance, it will follow the direction of any cracks/grooves in the road, despite both my hands being on the wheel. This deviation requires immediate correction or risk collision. A passing vehicle moving at a high rate of speed will also pu…”
NHTSA complaint #11448868, 2022

Vehicle Speed Control 2 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RELEASED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300.”
NHTSA complaint #10986373, 2017 · crash

“When running on a highway and you press down on the accelerator hard to merge onto a highway or go around a vehicle to move out of the way of vehicles quickly coming up behind you, the engine takes over and speeds up on its own. It has occurred three times on a newly purchased used car and it will increase speed up to 100mph. You have to press intermittently on the brakes to pull over to the shoulder and turn off the car for five minutes for the car to reset. If you try to just break, you get a burning smell. I see two class action lawsuits on similar acceleration issues for 2015 to 2017 Outb…”
NHTSA complaint #11513949, 2023

Wheels 2

“I NOTICED 1 OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT CAME ON MY NEW SUBARU LEGACY HAD A SIDEWALL BULGE. WHEN LOOKING AT THE WHEEL YOU COULD NOT SEE ANY MAKES TO INDICATE I HIT A POT HOLE OR CURB. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I NOTICED ANOTHER TIRE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE FIRST TIRE AND OFFERED TO REPLACE IT FOR FREE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I REPORTED IT. UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I SAW THE SECOND TIRE THE WARRANTY HAD LAPSED. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TIRES TO COME IN I DID NOTICE ONE OF THE BULGES HAD DOUBLED IN SIZE. IN THE TIME I SAW IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND REPLACING IT I PUT NO MORE THAN…”
NHTSA complaint #11104048, 2018

“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. CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE; IF IT IS WINDY IT IS EVEN WORSE. NO MATTER IF I AM GOING UNDER 30 OR ON THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10954247, 2017

Exterior Lighting 1

“The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee danger as car would freely roll and no way to stop except to hold brake with foot pressed. Ultimately car was chocked and jumped by AAA tow truck. Technician said battery was dead but alternator was…”
NHTSA complaint #11527627, 2023

Forward Collision Avoidance 1 1 crash 1 injury

“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 h…”
NHTSA complaint #11713752, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Lane Departure 1

“WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM LAS VEGAS NV TO MESQUITE NV THE BSD/RCTA AUTOMATICALLY DISABLED ITSELF OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SO I TOOK IT TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I GET ALL MY MAINTENANCE DONE AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHY ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT WAS AT NO FAULT TO MY OWN THEY SAID BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY A PRETTY PENNY AND I JUST FEEL THAT SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER DO TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE ON THEIR VEHICLES AND IT WAS NOT MY FAULT IT MA…”
NHTSA complaint #11383789, 2020

Tires 1

“TIRE SIZE - 225/50R19. MY 2017 SUBARU LEGACY HAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000 MILES. AS I HAND WASH MY CAR I NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SIGNIFICANT CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND I OFTEN PICK-UP OUR 3 GRANDCHILDREN FROM SCHOOL WHICH ALSO CONCERNS ME. THESE ARE MY OBSERVATIONS BUT I'VE ALSO READ A FEW SIMILAR ISSUES ON THE GOODYEAR WEBSITE BUT THEY REFERRED TO THE PROBLEM AS DRY ROT? THANK GOD NO ACCIDENTS OR FLATS BUT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES LOSING AIR. I JUST WANT PIECE OF MIND AND I WILL GO TO A GOODYEAR TIRE DEALER SOON TO GET THEIR OPIN…”
NHTSA complaint #11463740, 2021