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Your vehicleHome›Subaru›Legacy/Outback› 2017
Active NHTSA advisory: do not drive. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Subaru · Midsize Sedan

2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback

Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
D
Safety Signal
68 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 4
Complaints42 crash · 4 fire · 31 injured reported 1,038
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 29 mpg
20172016

The 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Legacy AWD, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 1038 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Legacy AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253429$2,300
Outback AWDGasAWD2.5L 4-cyl253228$2,400
Legacy AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl202823$2,900
Outback AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl202722$3,050

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37451, 37466, 37430, 37435.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Legacy AWD5–9 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 / California LEV-III SULEV30/PZEV / LEV-III LEV160All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay
Outback AWD5–9 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 / California LEV-III SULEV30/PZEV / LEV-III LEV160All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—
Legacy AWD, Outback AWD6 / 10LEV-III ULEV125 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 125All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.5 L

Engine Output

Horsepower175 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning

Optional: Lane keeping assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Limited + M/R, Limited + M/R + ES + NAVI, Premium, Premium + ES). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length189.0–189.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)72.4 in
Height59.1–66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Track, front61.8–62.2 in
Track, rear62.2–63.0 in
Curb weight3,402–3,845 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43 to 59/41

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 4 configurations: 4-door Sedan 2.5I AWD, 4-door Sedan 3.6R AWD, Outback 4-door Wagon AWD 2.5I, Outback 4-door Wagon AWD 3.6R. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2017 Legacy/Outback
Other years The 2016 Legacy/Outback Recalls Subaru recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

WUX-09
46 vehicles 80% reported repaired built Aug 29, 2015 – Jun 28, 2017
Problem Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment. Risk In the event of a crash necessitating passenger frontal air bag deployment, the air bag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUX-09.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 19V910000 reported Dec 19, 2019 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Steering

WTL-72
54 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Sep 21, 2016 – Sep 23, 2016
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.
NHTSA campaign 16V716000 reported Oct 6, 2016 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Suspension

WTE-66
99 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jun 20, 2016 – Jun 23, 2016
Problem Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp. Risk If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash. Fix Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V576000 reported Aug 3, 2016 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Steering

WTD-65
Do not drive 48,819 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Apr 18, 2016 – Apr 29, 2016
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.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V292000 reported May 11, 2016 Subaru of America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf. Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a subst

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Legacy/Outback

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2017 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Subaru publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Subaru’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Legacy/Outback →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1038complaints filed

42 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 31 injuries · 0 deaths reported

35 per 10,000 built · Subaru reported 293,130 Legacy/Outback built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2016: 8 · 2017: 52 · 2018: 47 · 2019: 107 · 2020: 236 · 2021: 283 · 2022: 155 · 2023: 71 · 2024: 34 · 2025: 26 · 2026: 19

Most-cited components

Electrical System → 423
Visibility/Wiper 271
Unspecified 199
Power Train 47
Engine 44
Forward Collision Avoidance 31

In depth: electrical problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I was driving my vehicle for approximately 5 minutes. I was stationary at the light when all of a sudden a "u" shaped crack appears slightly above the wipers. By the time I pulled over which was about 45 seconds. The crack spread horizontally across the glass
Visibility/Wiper at 30,500 miles Mar 16, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11318330
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.
Electrical System at 8,000 miles Jul 12, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11231381
Gas cap doesn't open. I decided to buy this car last year because another Legacy car had the same repair showing on its carfax. And now I have the problem with this car. The rep said today that they had another car to repair for the same issue
Structure at 25,000 miles May 9, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11206438
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.
Air Bags at 12,000 miles Feb 13, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11179976
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.
Engine at 31,000 miles Oct 22, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11270314
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.
Steering at 54,000 miles Oct 21, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11270013

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Subaru itself: 172 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 3 killed, 213 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 59 per 100,000 built. Every Legacy/Outback model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 31k

miles, typically

Half the 564 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 18,000 and 45,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 84
10k–20k 73
20k–30k 103
30k–40k 109
40k–50k 79
50k–60k 40
60k–70k 36
70k–80k 18
80k–90k 6
90k–100k 7
100k–150k 9
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Visibility/Wiper19936,1001.2×
Electrical System17932,0000.91×
Unspecified9829,400—
Power Train3430,0000.75×
Engine2431,9520.55×
Structure2025,0000.66×
Vehicle Speed Control1920,0000.93×
Service Brakes1930,9290.94×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2017-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.55×), structure (0.66×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10%
SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 772
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-05
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 714 service bulletins, 58 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Power Train, Steering.

  • 11037943 Other
    2026-10-05 · Electrical System
  • This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
  • 11037942 Other
    2026-09-28 · Electrical System
  • This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
  • 13-109-26 Service bulletin
    2026-09-18 · Unknown Or Other
  • This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
  • 18-244-26 Service bulletin
    2026-09-18 · Electrical System
  • "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
  • 11037930 Other
    2026-09-15 · Unknown Or Other
  • This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
  • 15-333-25R Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · 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.
  • 15-304-22R Service bulletin
    2026-09-14 · Electrical 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.
  • 11036804 Other
    2026-08-21 · Power Train
  • This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
B2A16
B2A16 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
P05A0
P05A0 on Subaru →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →6 bulletins
B1572Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
B2A20Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
C1956Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
C1957Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
P0420
P0420 on Subaru →		The catalytic converter on bank 1 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Equipment · Catalytic converter →4 bulletins
P2096
P2096 on Subaru →		After the catalyst, the mixture on bank 1 is reading lean.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
P2097
P2097 on Subaru →		After the catalyst, the mixture on bank 1 is reading rich.Electrical System · Battery →4 bulletins
B1571Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 bulletins
B2902Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Exterior Lighting · Headlight assembly →2 bulletins
C1531Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — lower than the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.1% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%).

New York inspections 1.8%

failed emissions

12,517 initial inspections of 12,190 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2017 Legacy/OutbackEvery 2017 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.8%3.7%12,488
Failed the safety inspection2.1%2.1%12,517
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.13%0.25%12,517
Miles driven a year10,75810,048odometer at inspection
Average odometer99,73093,238odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2017 vehicle” is every 2017 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Legacy/Outback by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2017 this page D 4 1,038 Do not drive2016 D 4 790 Do not drive

Common questions about the 2017 Legacy/Outback

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 16V292000, covering Steering. There is an active do not drive advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

NHTSA gave the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it D (68/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, the best EPA combined figure is 29 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

Transport Canada measured it at 189.0–189.8 in long, 72.4 in wide (body, without mirrors), 59.1–66.1 in tall, on a 108.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,402–3,845 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

Owners have filed 1038 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, most often about electrical system, visibility/wiper, unspecified. Of those, 42 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 31 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

The EPA smog rating for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback runs 5 to 9 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30/PZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 125, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70, LEV-III LEV160, LEV-III ULEV125 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

The manufacturer has filed 772 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-10-05. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2017 Subaru Legacy/Outback failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — lower than the 3.7% for every 2017 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.1% (every 2017 vehicle: 2.1%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls4NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints1038NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins772NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations1NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA9 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2016 Legacy/Outback The Legacy/Outback model year with the cleanest record on file — grade D, 4 recalls.Recalls Every Subaru recall on file All campaigns filed against Subaru vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Legacy/Outback by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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