The 2017 Legacy is a generally reliable sedan, but the CVT transmission and the 2.5L boxer engine's internal components are the primary long-term concerns. Most issues surface after 80,000 miles, with the CVT being the platform's Achilles heel.
CVT Transmission Failure / Shuddering
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during acceleration, especially from stop, Slipping sensation or delayed engagement when accelerating, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Sudden loss of power or limp mode activation
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required in most cases. Fluid changes every 30k may delay but not prevent. Torque converter and valve body failures common. 8-12 hours labor for R&R.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Piston Ring Land Failure / Excessive Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Misfires on cold start, may clear after warmup, Check engine light with lean codes or misfire codes
Fix: Piston ring land cracks from detonation or poor machining tolerance. Requires short block replacement or complete engine rebuild. 18-24 hours labor. Some cases covered under extended warranty if documented oil consumption test done at dealer early.
Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500
Head Gasket Leaks (External)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage visible on outside of engine block, Coolant smell but no overheating or mixing, Slow coolant loss without visible external drips, Oil residue collecting near exhaust manifold
Fix: Classic Subaru issue improved but not eliminated by 2017. External leaks more common than internal combustion-chamber failure on this generation. Both heads typically done together. 12-16 hours labor including timing components and resurfacing.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion / Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: CVT fluid puddles under vehicle, often pinkish-red, Transmission temperature warning light intermittently, Visible corrosion on steel cooler lines near radiator, Low CVT fluid level on dipstick check
Fix: Steel lines rust through in salt-belt regions. Requires line replacement and CVT fluid refill. Often caught during routine service. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Steering Column Clicking / Binding (Recall-Related)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Clicking or popping noise when turning steering wheel, Steering feels notchy or catches at certain positions, Noise worse in cold weather, May be covered under NHTSA recall 19V-445 or 20V-063
Fix: Steering column U-joint or coupling wear. Check for open recalls first—some units get column replacement or lubrication service at no cost. If not covered, column intermediate shaft replacement needed. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $0-600
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, worse with AC on, Visible sagging or tearing of rubber mount, Transmission movement visible when revving in Park
Fix: Rear transmission mount collapses from CVT weight and vibration. Simple replacement, often done with other work. 1-1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Solid daily driver if the CVT and engine internals check out clean, but budget $1,500/year for potential major repairs after 80k miles—buy with pre-purchase inspection focusing on CVT behavior and oil consumption test.
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.