The 2017 Outback is generally solid, but the 2.5L FB25 engine is notorious for excessive oil consumption due to piston ring design flaws, sometimes catastrophic enough to require short block replacement. The CVT transmission can develop cooler leaks and premature wear if the fluid isn't serviced religiously.
Excessive Oil Consumption (2.5L FB25 Engine)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil warning light between oil changes, Burning 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start, Check engine light for cam/crank correlation codes if oil starves the timing components
Fix: Subaru extended warranty covered short block replacement through ~2018 models under certain conditions; outside warranty requires full short block R&R (piston rings alone don't hold). 18-24 labor hours for short block swap, includes oil pan, timing components, gaskets.
Estimated cost: $5,500-8,000
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Red ATF puddles under engine bay center/passenger side, Transmission overheating warning on dash, Burnt CVT fluid smell, Slipping or shuddering during acceleration if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: External cooler lines or internal cooler seals fail; cooler assembly replacement requires partial front-end disassembly and CVT fluid flush. 4-6 labor hours depending on line vs. internal seal failure.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Head Gasket Weeping (2.5L FB25)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: External oil seepage at head/block junction, visible on lower block sides, Slight coolant smell or residue near heads, Minor overheating if coolant loss becomes severe, Usually catches owners off-guard after they think FB25 'fixed' the EJ head gasket issues
Fix: Unlike EJ engines, FB25 head gaskets rarely blow internally but can weep externally. Both heads off, resurface if warped, new gaskets and timing components while open. 14-18 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle that dampens when in Neutral, Visible sag or cracks in rear transmission crossmember mount
Fix: Rear transmission mount (pitch stopper) tears from CVT weight and torque cycling. Direct replacement, no trans drop required. 1.5-2.5 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Fuel Pump/Fuel Filter Assembly Issues
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when fuel tank below 1/4, Intermittent stalling or stumble under load, Check engine light for fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0089), Whining noise from rear seat area when key on
Fix: In-tank fuel pump assembly includes integrated filter; entire unit replacement requires tank drop. 3-4 labor hours, parts are dealer-only and expensive.
Estimated cost: $900-1,300
Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Clunk (Recall)
Common · low severitySymptoms: Clunk or knock when turning wheel at low speed or while parked, More noticeable in cold weather, No loss of steering control, just annoying noise
Fix: NHTSA recall covered intermediate shaft replacement with improved design; if already done, grease application may be needed. 1-1.5 labor hours if not recall-covered.
Estimated cost: $200-350
Solid platform if you get a non-oil-burning 2.5L or opt for the rarer 3.6L H6; budget for CVT fluid services and have a pre-purchase oil consumption test done — walk away if it burns more than 1 qt per 3,000 mi.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.