RoadVitals

1997 Subaru Outback

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
79
Latest Oct 8, 2012
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jun 25, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 79 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Subaru Outback, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
01V216000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Jun 25, 2001
180,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V091000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET

May 4, 1998
29,442 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
98V042000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Feb 20, 1998
19,386 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 79
Fuel system
Filed Oct 8, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10479241
Incident
Oct 6, 2012
Mileage
213,500 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 3, 2010
Crash reported

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 HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ID
10347006
Incident
Jun 26, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Aug 3, 2009

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 REASONS. THE ONLY REASON THIS WASN'T A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS THAT I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE INSTANTLY. HAD TO DO THIS BLINDLY, AS I COULD NOT SEE AROUND THE HOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279223
Incident
Jul 4, 2009
Mileage
176,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10251842
Incident
Dec 9, 2008
Mileage
188,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10240707
Incident
Aug 29, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2008

LOSS OF COOLANT, OVERHEATED ENGINE, DIAGNOSIS OF BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAR: 1997 SUBARAU LEGACY OUTBACK WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234165
Incident
Jun 21, 2008
Mileage
126,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2008

OVERHEATING, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229775
Incident
May 23, 2008
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2008

GAS TANK FILLER PIPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10228629
Incident
May 15, 2008
Mileage
150,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

12-249-23R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

15-192-22R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

09-51-08R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Outback by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026120048.4
2025710046.3
2024940044.9
2023872051.5
20224604052.5
20212934049.4
20208956049.6
20191,0323047.9
20188073050.2
20179174155.1
20166414156.3
20155085157.0
201420810053.9
201329612053.9
201229116157.6
201165116050.6
201036018049.8
200910513053.9
20082268052.0
20071298051.9
20062767047.4
20052739257.6
20049011260.9
20039315257.1
20021435049.8
20011714053.1
20002072050.3
19991111044.8
19981272049.6
1997Viewing794052.9
1996462055.2
1995210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.