1997 Subaru Outback engine problems
The 1997 Subaru Outback has 29 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 31% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
29
Engine complaints
31%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“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…”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1997 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback engine — 31% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.