Model year record

1997 Subaru Outback recalls & problems

The 1997 Subaru Outback has 4 safety recalls and 79 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (29 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints79filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJun 25, 2001

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 01V216000180,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Risk: DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

SuspensionMay 4, 1998

Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket

Recall 98V09100029,442 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.
Risk: SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Vehicle speed controlFeb 20, 1998

Vehicle speed control

Recall 98V03500061,115 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.
Risk: OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Power trainFeb 20, 1998

Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 98V04200019,386 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	29	0	0	0	99,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist	9	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages	8	2	0	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	8	0	1	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer	7	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Tailgate › Latch	5	0	0	1	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module	4	0	1	0	—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket; Front › Springs › Coil springs	4	1	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	4	0	0	0	—
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hood › Hinge and attachments; Body	3	0	0	0	—
WheelsRim; Multi piece	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
NOTICED A LEAK OF FLUID FROM PASSENGER SIDE BY THE REAR WHEEL. DETERMINED IT WAS GASOLINE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FILLER TUBE TO THE GAS TANK. GOT THE CAR TO A SUBARU REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS NO UNDERCOATING APPLIED TO THE TUBE. *TR
Oct 6, 2012 · 213,500 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V035000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE REPAIR…
Jun 26, 2010 · 120,000 miles
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
DRIVING ALONG I-495 SOUTHBOUND IN MASSACHUSETTS JUST BEFORE EXIT FOR I-90. SPEED WAS 65 MPH. HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SMASHED, THE ROOF WAS DENTED, AND THE HOOD WAS BENT WITH THE HINGES PARTIALLY DEFORMED AND CRACKED. THE HOOD HADN'T BEEN OPENED OR TOUCHED IN SEVERAL WEEKS/>2000 MILES. PASSENGER AND I WERE LUCKILY UNHARMED, I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD AGAIN, AND DROVE HOME AT 50 ON THE HIGHWAY, 25 ON REGULAR ROADS. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, HOOD STILL DAMAGED. HOOD SECURED WITH BUNGEE CORD AS I NO LONGER TRUST THE LATCH. LOOKING INTO INSTALLING HOOD PINS WHEN I FIND A REPLACEMENT HOOD, SIMPLY FOR SAFETY/LIABILITY…
Jul 4, 2009 · 176,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
I BOUGHT A 97 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WGN AND FOUND OUT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED IN CYL3 AFTER TEAR DOWN FOR GASKET REPLACEMENT,NOW PUT TOGETHER AND NOW WON'T START. *TR
Dec 9, 2008 · 188,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT ONTO GARAGE FLOOR AND WHILE DRIVING AND FILLING TANK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RUSTED FUEL FILLER NECK. FROM RESEARCH AND COMMENTS FROM DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE. *TR
Aug 29, 2008 · 70,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
LOSS OF COOLANT, OVERHEATED ENGINE, DIAGNOSIS OF BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAR: 1997 SUBARAU LEGACY OUTBACK WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE. *TR
Jun 21, 2008 · 126,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
OVERHEATING, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR
May 23, 2008
Fuel system, gasoline
GAS TANK FILLER PIPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
May 15, 2008 · 150,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.