1997 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 →
Power Train · NHTSA 98V042000 · Feb 20, 1998
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).
19,386 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
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.
61,115 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 8, 2012 · 213,500 miles · NJ
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
Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 3, 2010 · 120,000 miles · MD · crash
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…
Structure · Aug 3, 2009 · 176,000 miles · MA
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…
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 3, 2009 · 176,000 miles · MA
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…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Dec 15, 2008 · 188,000 miles · PA
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
Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2, 2008 · 70,000 miles · MN
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
Engine and Engine Cooling · Jul 14, 2008 · 126,000 miles · MD
Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 liter engine. *tr
Engine and Engine Cooling · Jun 3, 2008 · UT
Overheating, blown head gasket. *tr
Fuel System, Gasoline · May 22, 2008 · 150,000 miles · NY
Gas tank filler pipe has rusted through. *tr
Structure · May 13, 2008 · 100,000 miles · NY
Hood opening accidentally while driving. I was driving on a heavily rainy day when the hood opened up and slammed the windshield. The windshield was completely broken and the hood was severely damaged including the body of the car just above the windshield. I had not opened the hood leading up to the event. Luckily I didn't get into a accident when the incident happened. I…
Engine and Engine Cooling · Nov 27, 2007 · 85,000 miles · CA
'97 subaru outback wagon impeccably maintained 85,000 mi is overheating. Began as intermittent problem approx 5 months ago. Flushed radiator, repl cap, pressure tested radiator. Driving down hill on mountain road in morning cold, overheats after about 6 miles. Repl thermostat, water pump, timing belt. Subaru dealer repair mechanic says head gasket. Googled problem online…
Power Train · Oct 18, 2006 · 181,938 miles · NC · fire
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the passenger front tire exploded. The aaa provided assistance and replaced the tire with the spare(doughnut). When the vehicle arrived to the residence, the rear differential was on fire. The fire was extinguished with water. The owners manual in page 8-11 indicated in fine print, when the spare doughnut…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1997 Subaru Outback, the most recent one (01V216000) for suspension. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Subaru Outback?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are engine and engine cooling (29), service brakes, hydraulic (9), vehicle speed control (8).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 1997 Subaru Outback?
Owners reported 7 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.