Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Subaru Outback

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 165 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 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: engine1891,056 mi
Engine and engine cooling1189,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system7107,259 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7—
Air bags643,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission661,000 mi
Air bags: frontal440,691 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system493,000 mi
Unknown or other4101,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Power train: clutch assembly317,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal368,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Fuel system, gasoline2122,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2109,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages298,951 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Parking brake265,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2—
Power train: axle assembly2—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)291,486 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor210,000 mi
Service brakes2117,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2168,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder263,000 mi
Tires2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Wheels286,225 mi
Wheels: rim2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module170,000 mi
Electrical system1160,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel179,252 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1100,147 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys153,125 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor110 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment170,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting175,462 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, other1166,000 mi
Power train177,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1109,000 mi
Suspension1150,000 mi
Tires: sidewall194,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Tires: tread/belt165,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls135,000 mi

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of 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.