1996 Subaru Outback recalls
Suspension · NHTSA 01V216000 · Jun 25, 2001
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…
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…
180,000 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Suspension · NHTSA 98V091000 · May 4, 1998
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.
29,442 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Service Brakes · Apr 5, 2014 · 258,000 miles · WI
Whenever the car has been parked in sub-zero temperatures for a minimum of three hours, the check valve in the brake booster vacuum hose will freeze in place and results in no power assist braking. The first application of the brakes would be normal as there was residual vacuum in the booster. Additional application of the brakes would have no power assist at all. Multiple…
Power Train · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained eisenhower interstate highway…
Power Train · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained [unclosed/fema/iema]…
Structure · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained [unclosed/fema/iema]…
Structure · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained eisenhower interstate highway…
Service Brakes · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained [unclosed/fema/iema]…
Service Brakes · Feb 21, 2014 · 87,696 miles · IL · crash · 1 injured
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0mph in +/- .25MI.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha foia file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained eisenhower interstate highway…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Jan 14, 2010 · 100,000 miles · CT
While driving very busy highway, the temperature gauge went all the way to "h". I pulled over and noticed some steam under hood. Added some water. A little later, still on "h". Mechanic who has serviced my 1996 subaru outback since I got it in 1998 said it had a blown head gasket, common with subarus. In 2009 I had the 90K mile maintenance done, very expensive. Also had all…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Oct 26, 2009 · 166,000 miles · OH
Car overheated without warning. Suspect headgasket failure allowing coolant to escape and engine to overheat . (potential for car to unexpectedly stall on interstate) upon internet search found that hundreds of the subaru 2.5L engines suffer from same condition (1995-1999). Http://home.comcast.net/~skipnospam/. *tr
Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 22, 2009 · 186,000 miles · WV
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 subaru outback. When the contact placed her vehicle into reverse and then drive, it sped off on its own and did not respond when the brake and accelerator pedals were depressed. The contact did not have control over the steering as well. She attempted to steer the vehicle into tall grass; however, approximately 25 feet later, the vehicle suddenly…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Apr 28, 2008 · 161,423 miles · MN
1. Just bought from dealer. Going to get gas. 2. Overheating. Auto mechanic said oil in the antifreeze. Head gasket. 3. Repaired head gasket etc. *tr
Suspension · Jun 1, 2006 · 169,000 miles · MA
According to subaru in NHTSA recall no. 01V-216, the protective paint was applied incorrectly to '96 subaru legacy outback springs which leads them to rust and break. Subaru will replace the front springs but will not replace the rear springs, even though the same problem occurs on both front and rear springs. Both of my front springs broke, one of my rear springs broke, and…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 1996 Subaru Outback, the most recent one (01V216000) for suspension. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Subaru Outback?
Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine and engine cooling (11), air bags (9), power train (5).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 1996 Subaru Outback?
Owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.