Is the 2017 Subaru Outback a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B7.5/10
The 2017 Subaru Outback Touring XT offers a comfortable ride with excellent safety features, making it a solid family vehicle, particularly if you need all-wheel drive and ample cargo space.
Get the full AI verdict — free
Pros
- Spacious interior with ample cargo room
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Impressive safety features
Cons
- Higher than average oil consumption
- CVT can be noisy under acceleration
- Suspension may wear out faster on rough roads
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
23 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,500/yr
Expected lifespan
220,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- Oil consumption
- CVT transmission shudder
- Suspension clunking sounds
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (4)
The 2017 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Steering — Column (campaign 16V292000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Air Bags — Air Bag/Restraint Control Module — 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…
- Suspension — 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…
- Steering — Column — 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 prope…
- Steering — Column — 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 improperl…
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
Compare similar cars
This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.