YearToAvoid

2017 Subaru Legacy Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 30 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Subaru Legacy, 25% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles. There is no related recall for this issue on the 2017 model year.

Electrical System complaints
30
25% of 119
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
54,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report repeated battery drain and failure to hold a charge, with some replacing the battery two or three times within a few years.
  • Battery terminals reportedly corrode repeatedly even after cleaning or replacement at the dealership.
  • Several owners describe the ignition key sticking and being unable to remove it after shifting into park.
  • One owner reported a fire that started near the front of the vehicle with no dashboard warning lights, which they suspected was electrical or battery related.
  • Some owners report the vehicle failed to start with no warning lights present, and outside testing by service shops and roadside assistance found nothing out of specification.

When 2017 Subaru Legacy electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 12, 2019, latest Sep 5, 2026.

2017 Subaru Legacy electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month6Jul 2019Dec 2020Oct 2021May 2022Nov 2022Jun 2023Jan 2026
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2022 (6).

Electrical System recalls for the 2017 Subaru Legacy

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Legacy model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201022 (15%)
  2. 201133 (20%)
  3. 20126 (7%)
  4. 20137 (11%)
  5. 201415 (28%)
  6. 201539 (25%)
  7. 201651 (35%)
  8. 201730 (25%)
  9. 201840 (34%)
  10. 201935 (28%)
  11. 202016 (13%)
  12. 20215 (16%)
  13. 20223 (9%)
  14. 20231 (10%)
  15. 20247 (41%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the electrical system a common problem on the 2017 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. NHTSA lists 30 Electrical System complaints for the 2017 Legacy, which is 25% of all 119 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Subaru Legacy electrical system?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue on the 2017 Legacy.
At what mileage do electrical problems usually show up on the 2017 Legacy?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2017 Legacy is 54,000 miles.
What kind of electrical issues do owners report most?
Owners most often describe recurring battery drain, terminal corrosion, and difficulty removing the key from the ignition after parking.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these electrical complaints?
NHTSA records 0 crashes and 0 injuries among the 30 Electrical System complaints, though one complaint involved a fire.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.