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Reliability report · 2017 Subaru Outback · ~$2,200/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

The busiest fifth-gen year on paper — the cam-carrier oil leak is the one repair without free coverage, so inspect for it.

By Russell, VinCanary founder · How these reports are built · Data updated July 2026

2017 has the largest complaint file of the fifth generation, but the mix is familiar rather than alarming: the cam-carrier oil leak (about $6,000 to reseal, engine-out, no extended coverage), the Data Communication Module battery drain that a class action and warranty extension addressed, and CVT wear showing up on higher-mileage cars. Subaru extended CVT coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles and serviced transmissions routinely pass 200,000 miles — the neglected ones are what fail.

The recalls are all free: a park-it steering-column campaign carried from 2016 (16V292), a brake-caliper bolt-torque campaign (16V576), and a knee-guard weld (16V716). Head-gasket failure is not a concern on this engine. Buy the one with a dry engine, closed recalls, and CVT-fluid service history.

Evidence: 917 NHTSA complaints · 4 recall campaigns · 3 mechanic & forum sources

The short version

Status
Chirping. 917 federal complaints, the second-highest in our Outback set, on the same fifth-generation patterns: the cam-carrier oil leak, parasitic battery drain, and CVT (a continuously variable transmission) wear surfacing past 100,000 miles.
Biggest risk
Cam-carrier oil leak — the engine-out repair with no coverage (2.5L boxer (FB25))
First check
Confirm the steering-column recall (16V292) shows completed by VIN — it carried a do-not-drive advisory when open.

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 917 federal complaints, the second-highest in our Outback set, on the same fifth-generation patterns: the cam-carrier oil leak, parasitic battery drain, and CVT (a continuously variable transmission) wear surfacing past 100,000 miles. Four recalls including a carried-over park-it steering campaign — all free if performed. The cam leak is the wallet risk.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

917

Federal complaints

4

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2017 Subaru Outback SW AWD (NHTSA VehicleId 11193)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Cam-carrier oil leak — the engine-out repair with no coverage

major
  • 2.5L boxer (FB25)

The FB-series boxer seals the cam carrier to the cylinder head with RTV silicone, and that seam (along with the timing-chain cover) seeps oil as the seal ages. A Subaru specialist notes you can't reseal it with the engine in the car — the engine has to come out — which makes it a labor-heavy job, roughly $6,000 out of warranty (owner estimate), with no warranty extension covering it. Owners in the federal file report seepage starting in the 40k–65k range, just past the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. A healthy PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system and on-time oil changes slow it. Inspect the front of the engine for oil seepage before buying.

This is a 2.5L boxer (FB25) problem. The 2.4L turbo (FA24) doesn’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

Cam-carrier reseal (engine out)

~$6,000

Slowing it with PCV service + oil changes

maintenance only

Sources: Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (CVT, cam-carrier)

CVT wear past 100,000 miles — a maintenance story, mostlymoderate

  • 2.5L boxer (FB25)

The federal file shows a 2017 with CVT (continuously variable transmission — the automatic with no fixed gears) failure signs around 112,000 miles. A Subaru specialist puts the common CVT repair in perspective: the valve-body assembly (solenoids can't be bought separately) is a $750–$850 part, typically needed at 150,000–200,000 miles, and a full replacement runs about $8,000–$8,500 — but serviced units routinely exceed 200,000 miles. The catch is that Subaru long called the fluid 'lifetime' when a 3-year/36,000-mile drain-and-refill (about $250–$300) is what keeps it alive. Ask for fluid service history; a neglected CVT is the risk, not the design.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2017 Subaru Outback (true count 917) · Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (CVT, cam-carrier)

$250–$300

CVT fluid drain-and-refill (every 3 yr / 36k)

$750–$850 part

Valve-body assembly if it wears

~$8,000–$8,500

Full CVT replacement

Parasitic battery drain (Data Communication Module) — covered by extension + settlementmoderate

The telematics box — the DCM, or Data Communication Module — keeps drawing power after the car is off, killing the 12-volt battery over a day or two and destroying batteries over time. Owners report being stranded and replacing multiple batteries. Subaru extended the DCM warranty (8 years/100,000 miles on this era), reached a class-action settlement, and issued a 12-volt battery warranty extension. Repeat dead batteries on a 2017 point here, not to a bad battery — confirm the software/extension work was done.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2017 Subaru Outback (true count 917) · NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (DCM/battery extensions, recall documents)

$0

Under DCM extension / settlement

Recalls: park-it steering column, brake-caliper bolts, knee-guard weldmajor

The park-it steering-column recall (16V292) carries over from 2016 — a machining flaw where turning the wheel might not steer the car, with a do-not-drive advisory until inspected. Two 2017-specific campaigns: improperly torqued front brake-caliper, wheel-hub, and stabilizer bolts (16V576), and a knee-guard bracket that may not be properly welded to the steering beam (16V716). All are free inspections/replacements. Confirm each shows completed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (DCM/battery extensions, recall documents)

$0

All recall work

At about 112,000 miles, my 2017 Subaru Outback's transmission showed signs of failure.
From an owner’s federal complaint. Unverified; one voice out of 917.

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Subaru dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 16V292Steering column may be improperly machined so turning the wheel may not steer the car (2016–2017, built Feb–May 2016). Park-it advisory; inspect/replace column free. Subaru code WTD-65.VERIFY BY VIN
  2. 16V576Front brake-caliper, wheel-hub, and stabilizer-clamp bolts may be improperly torqued and loosen (2017, built Jun 2016) — reduced braking, instability. Inspect/replace bolts free. Subaru code WTE-66.VERIFY BY VIN
  3. 16V716Knee-guard bracket may not be properly welded to the steering beam (2017 Legacy/Outback, built Sep 2016) — injury risk to an unbelted driver. Inspect weld, replace beam if needed, free. Subaru code WTL-72.VERIFY BY VIN
  4. 19V910A replacement airbag control module may be incompatible with the passenger airbag, affecting deployment (2016–2017). Passenger airbag module replaced free. Subaru code WUX-09.VERIFY BY VIN

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2017 Outback

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

28 MPG combined (25 city / 32 highway) for the AWD, 2.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 37466 (Outback AWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 3.6L 22 MPG.

$2,200/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen about 78% less often than the average vehicle. One less thing to price into coverage.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Subaru Outback 4WD with EyeSight.
Other series: Subaru Outback 4WD 51, where 100 = average.

22 vs 100

78% below average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Cam-carrier reseal (engine out)~$6,000
Slowing it with PCV service + oil changesmaintenance only
CVT fluid drain-and-refill (every 3 yr / 36k)$250–$300
Valve-body assembly if it wears$750–$850 part
Full CVT replacement~$8,000–$8,500
Under DCM extension / settlement$0
All recall work$0
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Confirm the steering-column recall (16V292) shows completed by VIN — it carried a do-not-drive advisory when open.
  2. 02Inspect the front of the engine and cam-carrier seam for oil seepage; budget ~$6,000 if it's leaking (no extended coverage).
  3. 03Ask for CVT fluid service history — a 3-year/36,000-mile drain-and-refill record is the single best sign; failures cluster on neglected fluid.
  4. 04Ask about repeat dead batteries and confirm the Data Communication Module (telematics) extension/software work was done.
  5. 05Verify the brake-caliper bolt (16V576), knee-guard (16V716), and passenger-airbag (19V910) recalls are closed.
  6. 06On a test drive, listen for a CVT RPM flare/squeal at steady highway speed — a sign of chain slip on a worn unit.

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vincanary.com/subaru/outback/2017