NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Subaru Outback Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 79 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Subaru Outback. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Subaru Outback owner complaints

Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Subaru Outback, describing incidents dated March 1, 1997 to October 6, 2012.

Most-cited components

Engine 24 complaints
Service Brakes 9 complaints
Power Train 8 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 8 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 7 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints

Of the 79 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 79 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10479241 · Filed October 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
ODI #10347006 · Filed August 3, 2010
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…
ODI #10279223 · Filed August 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…

Read all 79 complaints

SUBARU/FRONT COIL SPRINGS

NHTSA #01V216000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Coil Springs · NHTSA notice

Reported June 25, 2001 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 180,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 18, 2001 · Vehicles built January 25, 1994 – January 30, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK

NHTSA #98V091000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Leaf Spring Assembly — Hanger,Bracket · NHTSA notice

Reported May 4, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 29,442 vehicles

Owners notified June 29, 1998 · Vehicles built June 3, 1996 – September 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 29, 1998. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER

NHTSA #98V042000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 19,386 vehicles

Owners notified June 15, 1998 · Vehicles built May 9, 1997 – August 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1998.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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SUBARU/THROTTLE

NHTSA #98V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 1998 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,115 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 1998 · Vehicles built August 9, 1996 – March 21, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 27, 1998. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Subaru Outback. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

79 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Subaru Outback.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10479241

Incident: October 6, 2012 · Filed: October 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

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10347006

Crash

Incident: June 26, 2010 · Filed: August 3, 2010

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.

Structure; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10279223

Incident: July 4, 2009 · Filed: August 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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10251842

Incident: December 9, 2008 · Filed: December 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

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10240707

Incident: August 29, 2008 · Filed: September 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

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10234165

Incident: June 21, 2008 · Filed: July 14, 2008

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

ODI #10229775

Incident: May 23, 2008 · Filed: June 3, 2008

OVERHEATING, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10228629

Incident: May 15, 2008 · Filed: May 22, 2008

GAS TANK FILLER PIPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

Structure

ODI #10227673

Incident: March 1, 2005 · Filed: May 13, 2008

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 SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED SUBARU ABOUT IT AND ADVISED ME THAT THE INCIDENT HADN'T, TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE, IN OTHER 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGONS. I WAS NOT DIRECTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR AGENCY, THUS I LET IT PASS. I WAS REMINDED OF THE INCIDENT, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ACCIDENT BEING MORE PREVALENT, WHEN I SAW A SIMILAR CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME DAMAGE TO THE HOOD (I.E., PATTERN AND BENT). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10210017

Incident: June 14, 2007 · Filed: November 27, 2007

'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 BEFORE REPLACING THERMOSTAT. BLOGS FROM OUTBACK OWNERS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS SAY HEAD GASKET. AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF BLOGS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM AND STATEMENTS THAT SUBARU HAS NEVER TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FLAW WHICH HAS AFFECTED SO MANY OUTBACK OWNERS. THIS IS A CRIME. *TR

Other Subaru Outback model years

Check your 1997 Subaru Outback VIN

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