Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 Subaru Outback

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 57 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V216000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
180,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-25
Owners notified
2001-09-18

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 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.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V091000

Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket

Component
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
29,442
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-04
Owners notified
1998-06-29

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 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal7—
Engine and engine cooling: engine6115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3115,000 mi
Service brakes387,696 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Structure: body387,696 mi
Vehicle speed control3186,000 mi
Wheels3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2115,000 mi
Power train287,696 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Tires2—
Air bags1—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system1—
Exterior lighting: headlights180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1135,906 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1903,086 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1169,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—

The 1995 model has 19 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.