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1997 Subaru Outback Recalls & Complaints

4

open safety recalls on record

Serious

94 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.30 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious98V042000

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE raises the risk of A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy & full details

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

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.

Moderate01V216000

Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Moderate98V091000

Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:Hanger,Bracket

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 & full details

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

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.

Moderate98V035000

Vehicle Speed Control

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 & full details

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

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.

Complaint volume

94 this model-year 8 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

7Crashes
2Fires
2Injuries
0Deaths

Across 94 complaints. Severity Index 0.30.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Engine And Engine Cooling…10 · 11%Service Brakes, Hydraulic…6 · 6%Engine And Engine Cooling…6 · 6%Engine And Engine Cooling6 · 6%Engine And Engine Cooling…4 · 4%Vehicle Speed Control4 · 4%Vehicle Speed Control · C…3 · 3%Electrical System3 · 3%
  1. Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — 10 reports
  2. Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 6 reports
  3. Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System — 6 reports
  4. Engine And Engine Cooling — 6 reports
  5. Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline — 4 reports
  6. Vehicle Speed Control — 4 reports
  7. Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control — 3 reports
  8. Electrical System — 3 reports
  9. Power Train:Automatic Transmission — 3 reports
  10. Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 3 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

1995 (1) · 1996 (2) · 1997 · 1998 (2) · 1999 (1) · 2000 (2) · 2001 (4) · 2002 (5) · 2003 (15) · 2004 (11) · 2005 (9) · 2006 (7) · 2007 (8) · 2008 (8) · 2009 (13) · 2010 (18) · 2011 (16) · 2012 (16) · 2013 (12) · 2014 (10) · 2015 (5) · 2016 (4) · 2017 (4) · 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (6) · 2021 (4) · 2022 (4) · 2023 (2) · 2024 · 2025 · 2026

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

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