SubaruOutback2017Overview/subaru/outback/2017/base/

2017 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Outback.

Body SUV

The 2017 Subaru Outback is a sport‑utility vehicle that takes 6.9 quarts of 5W‑30 API engine oil. Spanning the model’s complaint history from 1995 to 2026, it logged 917 total owner complaints, with the electrical system cited as the top problem area and four recalls issued. That total places it between the low of two complaints in 1995 and the high of 1,029 complaints in 2019, situating the 2017 model in the middle of the Outback’s long‑term reliability trend.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88.5 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3558 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2017 3.6R Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20173.6R Touring 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.60 sec256 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec175 hpAWD
20183.6R Touring 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.20 sec256 hpAWD
20182.5i Limited 2.5L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec175 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.40 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.50 sec15.80 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.0-13.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant part number SOA68V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant part number SOA68V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 FT/LBS
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 FT/LBS

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88.5 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts34.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ IDLE rpm
RPM49.3-58 @ IDLE rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 18
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 89; Rear: 49
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order
431.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1 and 2 75 degrees75 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,630 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 9 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

114.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
236.9 ft. lbs.36.9 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order
414.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-435.4 ft. lbs
6Bolts 5-832.5 ft. lbs
7All bolts90 degrees
8Bolts 1-445 degrees
9Seat Bolt4.7 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
189.0 inch lbs.89 in
241.0-45.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Outback generated 917 federal complaints, which exceeds the 638 complaints recorded in 2016 and the 805 complaints in 2018, marking one of the higher points in the recent decade. Recalls for that year totaled four, comparable to the four in 2016 and three in 2018, indicating that safety‑related corrective actions remained modest. The top complaint categories — Electrical System (327), Visibility/Wiper (180), Unknown Or Other (123), and Power Train (26) — account for the majority of the 917 reports. Crash‑related complaints numbered 32 and fire‑related complaints numbered 3, representing a small share of the total volume. Because the complaint intensity is higher than the immediately preceding and following model years while recalls stay low, a prudent buyer should only consider a 2017 Outback after confirming that all recall campaigns have been completed and that any electrical or wiper concerns have been addressed.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
384
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
917
Owner complaints
32 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 917 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System327
Visibility/Wiper180
Unknown Or Other123
Power Train26
Visibility25
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other23
Vehicle Speed Control16
Engine14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V910000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 19/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

16V576000SuspensionReported 03/08/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left… Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 384 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Outback take?

6.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.