Why it can be a good car
The 2017 Outback (fifth generation) is one of the most practical all-weather vehicles going — roomy, comfortable, genuinely good in snow and on rough roads with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, and safe. Most run a 2.5-liter boxer four (FB25) with a CVT; a 3.6-liter six was also offered. It's a well-liked car — the caveats are a handful of specific items to rule out on the individual car.
The things to check
- FB25 oil consumption Some 2.5-liter engines use more oil than normal — much improved over earlier years, but still worth checking. Check the oil level and ask about consumption.
- Cam-carrier oil leak A known leak where oil can seep from the cam carrier; in a worst case it can reach the hot exhaust, so look for seepage and any burning smell. No formal recall covers it.
- Battery drain Some cars have parasitic battery drain (linked to the telematics/control module, in part tied to the retired 3G network), leading to premature battery deaths. Ask about battery replacements and any drain diagnosis.
- STARLINK infotainment The screen can freeze, reboot, or go black; test it thoroughly.
Open recalls — check the VIN, it's free
The 2017 Outback had recalls (including an air-bag/restraint-control-module item). Recalls are VIN-specific — you cannot assume the status from the model year. Look up any 2017 Outback's open recalls free by VIN at NHTSA; a Subaru dealer completes any open recall at no charge.
What a history report tells you — and what it doesn't
On a car like this, the individual car's history is most of the decision. A history report is a record of what got reported — title brands, reported accidents and damage, odometer readings over time, and service records where they exist. That is what separates a clean, maintained example from a salvage-title or flood car wearing the same badge.
What a history report is not is a forecast, and an absence of records is not proof of a clean past — plenty happens to a car that never gets reported. That is why the honest answer is always the pair: the documented history and an in-person inspection by a mechanic you trust, on the specific car.
On this car, look for oil-change records, any cam-carrier reseal work, and a history of battery replacements or drain diagnosis.
The things to check before you buy
- Oil level and consumption Check the dipstick and ask how often it needs topping up.
- Cam-carrier leak Look for oil seepage around the engine and any burning smell.
- Battery drain Ask about premature battery deaths and any drain diagnosis.
- CVT and infotainment A smooth warm test drive and a working STARLINK screen.
- Recall status Confirm any open recalls are completed on this VIN.
What would make you walk
- An engine burning oil or leaking onto the exhaust Heavy consumption or a cam-carrier leak reaching hot exhaust, with no plan.
- A chronic battery-drain problem Repeated dead batteries with no fix.
- A CVT that shudders or hesitates when warm Take the vibration seriously.
- Structural damage or rust The usual deal-breakers.