1997 Subaru Outback problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1997 Subaru Outback is among the quieter years of the Outback on NHTSA's books: 94 complaints (64% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 29 reports (31% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Outback years?

Outback NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outback years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Subaru Outback problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	29	31%	▲ up
Brakes	9	10%	▲ up
Speed Control	8	9%	▲ up
Transmission	8	9%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	7	7%	▲ up
Electrical System	7	7%	▲ up
Fuel System	5	5%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	5	5%	new
Suspension	4	4%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	3	3%	▼ down
Body & Structure	3	3%	— flat
Airbags	2	2%	▼ down
Steering	2	2%	new
Other	1	1%	new
Lighting	1	1%	— flat

Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01V216000SuspensionJune 25, 2001 · 180,000 units

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.

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.

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.

98V091000SuspensionMay 4, 1998 · 29,442 units

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.

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.

Remedy

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

98V035000Speed ControlFebruary 20, 1998 · 61,115 units

Defect

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.

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.

Remedy

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

98V042000TransmissionFebruary 20, 1998 · 19,386 units

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“1997 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 DOHC ENGINE 1) CAR WAS SUDDENLY LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, BROUGHT IT IN TO SHOP ASAP 2) HEAD GASKET BUSTED, RUINED THE ENGINE 3) NEEDED TO REPLACE MOST OF ENGINE, INCLUDING BLOCK CHECKED OTHER SITES, THIS SEEMS TO BE A HUGELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU 2.5 DOHC ENGINES AND THEY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 21, 2006

“PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK. *MR THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. MOISTURE WAS FOUND IN THE HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN THE VALVE FREEZING DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURE, BLOCKING OFF THE VACUUM TO THE POWER BRAKE UNIT. *SC”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 21, 2004 · crash

“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.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 13, 2006 · fire

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 26, 2010 · crash

“VEHICLE FUEL FILL TUBE ROTTED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *MR THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF THE TANK WAS KEPT ON 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL, THE LEAK WOULD CEASE. THE MECHANIC HAD JUST FIXED THE SAME PROBLEM ON A SUBARU, A WEEK PRIOR AND HAD SINCE REPEATED THAT TASK AT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

1997 Subaru Outback — common questions

Is the 1997 Subaru Outback reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 94 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Outback year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1997 Outback problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (29 complaints), brakes (9 complaints), speed control (8 complaints).

Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outback years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2011, 2016, 2015, 2022, 2010, 2013, 2021, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Outback years belongs to 1995.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1997 compare to other Outback years?

What are the most common 1997 Subaru Outback problems?

Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1997 Subaru Outback — common questions

Is the 1997 Subaru Outback reliable?

What are the most common 1997 Outback problems?

Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have recalls?

Which Subaru Outback years should you avoid?

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