Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Subaru Outback

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 94 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V035000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
61,115
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-20
Owners notified
1998-04-27

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 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V042000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
19,386
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-20
Owners notified
1998-06-15

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 risk

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).

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine10120,232 mi
Engine and engine cooling674,624 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6107,990 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Vehicle speed control4120,000 mi
Electrical system3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Power train: automatic transmission397,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3—
Fuel system, gasoline270,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch282,500 mi
Power train: manual transmission2—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments2100,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel/propulsion system1213,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1176,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1181,938 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: multi piece1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.