RecallRepo

1997 Subaru Outback Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Subaru Outback has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 289,943 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 94 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 01V216000 2001-06-25 180,000 affected
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…

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…

SUSPENSION 98V091000 1998-05-04 29,442 affected
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.

POWER TRAIN 98V042000 1998-02-20 19,386 affected
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).

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 98V035000 1998-02-20 61,115 affected
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.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
6
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1fires
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
3
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints94

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Noticed a leak of fluid from passenger side by the rear wheel. Determined it was gasoline. Upon inspection found fuel leaking from the filler tube to the gas tank. Got the car to a subaru repair shop and was told this is a common problem. There is no undercoating applied to the tube. *tr”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2012-10-06

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2010-06-26

“Driving along I-495 southbound in massachusetts just before exit for I-90. Speed was 65 mph. Hood latch failed causing the hood to come up without warning. The windshield was smashed, the roof was dented, and the hood was bent with the hinges partially deformed and cracked. The hood hadn't been…”

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · reported 2009-07-04

“Driving along I-495 southbound in massachusetts just before exit for I-90. Speed was 65 mph. Hood latch failed causing the hood to come up without warning. The windshield was smashed, the roof was dented, and the hood was bent with the hinges partially deformed and cracked. The hood hadn't been…”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · reported 2009-07-04

“I bought a 97 subaru legacy outback wgn and found out the block was cracked in cyl3 after tear down for gasket replacement,now put together and now won't start. *tr”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · reported 2008-12-09

“Fuel filler neck rusted causing gas to leak out onto garage floor and while driving and filling tank. Vehicle was brought into dealership for repair to replace the rusted fuel filler neck. From research and comments from dealership, this is a very common problem with this make of vehicle. *tr”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2008-08-29

“Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 liter engine. *tr”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 2008-06-21

“Overheating, blown head gasket. *tr”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2008-05-23
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Subaru Outback as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.