2017 Subaru Outback MPG
EPA ratings for the 2017 Subaru Outback run from 20–25 mpg in town to 27–32 on the highway, or 22–28 combined, depending on which of its 2 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive manages 22 mpg combined, 6 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2016 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular · 319 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 398 g CO₂/mi |
2017 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2017 Subaru Outback costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $640 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2017 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2017 Subaru Outback: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with a CVT, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2017 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 919 owner complaints about the 2017 Subaru Outback.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (35% of component mentions), followed by visibility/wiper (18%) and power train (4%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 91 complaints a year: more than the 2016 (58 a year) and about as many as the 2018 (90 a year).
That ranks 4th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 919, 32 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 17 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 393 | 35% |
| Visibility/wiper | 205 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 178 | 16% |
| Power train | 47 | 4% |
| Engine | 44 | 4% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 31 | 3% |
| Visibility | 30 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 3% |
| Structure | 26 | 2% |
| Steering | 24 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 2% |
| Air bags | 16 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 1% |
| Lane departure | 9 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | <1% |
| Suspension | 6 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | <1% |
| Wheels | 5 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 4 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | <1% |
| Tires | 3 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment | 1 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Ignition key not releasing after turning engine off. Put shifter in park, foot on brakeii, turn Ignition key off. Key will not release. Have to cycle multiple times to get key released.
My Outback has been through 5 genuine Subaru windshields this year, and 7 since 2019. Only one was impact damage, the rest developed cracks after installation. One only lasted 3 days after being replaced. Others have lasted 3 months. …
AT ABOUT 112,000 MILES, MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK'S TRANSMISSION SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE. …
2017 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2017 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 4 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 19V910000 from December 2019, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
16V716000 · October 6, 2016 · Air bags, Steering
Problem: 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.
Remedy: 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.
16V576000 · August 3, 2016 · Hydraulic service brakes, Suspension
Problem: 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.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V910000 | December 19, 2019 | Air bags | 2016–2017 |
| 16V292000 | May 11, 2016 | Steering | 2015–2017 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2017 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2017 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2017 Subaru Forester (28 mpg), 2017 Mazda CX-5 (27 mpg) and 2017 Nissan Rogue (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 26 | 208 | 16 | 10 |
| 2015 | 28 | 510 | 42 | 5 |
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
| 2017 | 28 | 919 | 91 | 4 |
| 2018 | 28 | 816 | 90 | 3 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1,036 | 128 | 3 |
| 2020 | 29 | 901 | 127 | 6 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2017 models
FAQ
Is the 2017 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2017 Subaru Outback has 91 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (4th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2017 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (393), visibility/wiper (205) and power train (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2017 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–28 mpg combined (20–25 city, 27–32 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Outback per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).